Bianca Iboma

In its quest to tackle some of the challenges in the education sector, an NGO, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative (LAEI), in conjunction with School Based Management Committee (SBMC) and the Kosofe Local Government Area in Lagos State recently organised a one-day empowerment workshop for head teachers in public primary schools. 

The workshop which the theme was “Transforming the mind for productivity” witnessed seasoned resource persons who handle various topics meant to equip and impact the participants who were representatives from 18 public primary schools in the council.
The Executive Director of LAEI, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, who presented a paper on “Effectve Primary Education” said if teachers are of poor quality, you cannot have a high standard of education. There is need to improve on the quality of teachers for pupils to have a positive primary school experience that would make learning interesting and interactive for them to succeed academically, he said.

Onyerinma added that conducive learning environment which provides quality education for boys and girls is also key to the sustainability of humanity.
“Teachers must make instruction engaging and applicable for their pupils. Pupils who are emotionally connected to the subject matter will be interested in learning. They find value in gaining knowledge and experience in the learning process.”

Chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Elizabeth Ariyo assured that the newly constituted board would prioritise the welfare of teachers in the state.

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Ariyo revealed that some children do not have access to early childhood education due to overpopulation and overcrowded classes that affect the effectiveness of teachers.
She said Nigeria continues to grapple with challenges in the education sector such as funding, lack of infrastructure, poor standard and what people call unfit curriculum, among others.

“One of the problems crippling the education sector that should be addressed properly is funding and condusive learning environment.
“It is our quest to see a positive change in the sector; many schools have established relationship with foundations to cushion the effect of this downward trend. Also some non-governmental organisations and faith-based institutions had at one time or the other initiated some schemes to boost standard of education in public schools.
“The state is focused on providing qualified professionals teachers and a conducive environment in the 1, 016 public primary schools in the state,’’ she explained.

While the Zonal Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Daniel Atokolo, who was represented by Fred Oko, presented a paper on human trafficking and explained the need to sensitise school pupils about the scourge.
Oko explained that once the pupils are educated about the danger of human trafficking, they would be able to provide their parents with adequate information about the menace, especially the uneducated ones.

Director of Education and Library Services, Kosofe Local Government Area, Mrs. Olamide Whenu, ij her paper, “Transforming the mind for productivity” tasked participants to make use of the SWOT analysis to enhance their managerial skill and get their teachers to do their job.