Bianca Iboma
In its quest to tackle some of the challenges in the Nigerian education sector, an NGO, Live Abundantly Empowerment Initiative (LAEI), in conjunction with school-based Management Committee (SBMC) and the Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State, has organised a one-day empowerment workshop for head teachers in public primary schools. The theme of the event was “Transforming the mind for productivity.”
The workshop witnessed seasoned resource persons who handle various topics. It was intended to equip and impact the participants drawn mainly from 18 public primary schools in the LGA.
The Executive Director of LAEI, Dr. Ama Onyerinma, who presented a paper: “Effective Primary Education,” said if teachers are of poor quality, the society cannot have a high standard of education. There is a need to improve on the quality of teachers for pupils to have a positive primary-school experience that will make learning interesting and interactive for them to succeed academically.
Onyerinma added that a conductive learning environment which provides equitable education for boys and girls is also key to the sustainability of humanity.
“Primary education encompasses the teaching of Literacy, Numeracy and Reading skills as well as Critical Thinking, Communication, Social Awareness and Humanity.
“Teachers must make instruction engaging and applicable for their pupils. Pupils who are emotionally connected to the subject matter will be invested in learning. They find value in gaining knowledge and experience in the learning process.
“Access to education and quality education are a child’s right,” she stated.”
The chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) board, Mrs Elizabeth Ariyo, pledged that the newly- constituted board would prioritised the welfare of teachers in the state.
Ariyo regretted that some children do not have access to early-childhood education due to overpopulation and overcrowded classes that affects the effectiveness of teachers.
She said Nigeria would continue to grapple with the challenges in the education sector such as poor funding, lack of infrastructure, poor standard and what people call unfit curriculum, among others.
“One of the problems gripping the education sector that should be addressed properly is funding and non-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 Nigeria public schools.
“The state is focused on providing qualified professionals and a conducive environment in the 1016 public primary schools in the state,” she explained.
The Zonal Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Daniel Atokolo was represented by Fred Oko. He presented a paper on human trafficking, and urged the need to sensitise pupils about it.
Oko said that one’s the children are educated about the danger apparent, they would be able to give their parents adequate information about human trafficking especially the uneducated ones.
A Director of Education and Library services, Kosofe LGA, Mrs Olamide Whenu, presented a paper on “Transforming the mind for productivity”.
Whenu enjoined participants to make use of the SWOT analysis to enhance their managerial skill and get their teachers do their jobs.
