The Lagos State Government has charged Principals of Model Colleges and Upgraded Secondary Schools to be more resourceful towards contributing meaningfully to the school system in order to bring about improved performance in the various Colleges across the State.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day Retreat organised for School Administrators by the State’s Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, stressed that the event is in line with the State Government’s commitment to advancing the interest and management of the educational system as well as enhancing the overall performance of the leadership in Lagos State Model Colleges and Upgraded Schools.
She said: “It is delightful to have the esteemed professionals and high flying personalities in the Education Sector across the State gathered here today with a core and common aim of charting a way forward, especially as it affects the administration and welfare of our teeming future leaders kept in our care”.
“The huge mileage of this retreat, no doubt, will have an overall improvement in transforming the students, build public confidence in us as Managers and ultimately, produce overwhelming and academically sound, morally-upright and future-ready students”, the Commissioner added.
Mrs. Adefisayo noted that the theme of the Retreat, “Boarding School Edge: Improving Overall Performance”, is apt, concise and germane to current issues such as social vices bedevilling the educational system, stressing that reordering and resetting the orientation of Principals of Model Colleges and Upgraded Schools is pertinent for the development of responsive and knowledge-kitted Tutors, who can rise above social tumults to deliver the desired students of the 21st century.
The Commissioner advised participants to endeavour to get more familiar with parents and engage them in order to promote mutual trust between the school, students and their parents.
“Start reaching out to parents, familiarise with them, send them messages through social media platforms, felicitate with them on visiting days, organise sports between students and their parents; Boys against their fathers and girls against their mothers. Most importantly, be responsive to all situations in and around the school to prevent or deescalate any untoward incidents getting out of hand”, she said.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, noted that the teaching profession is an evolving career, hence, School Administrators have to develop the penchant for continuous learning to keep pace with the demands of the school system and, more importantly, master the daily requirements of student development.
She noted that the training was packaged to equip Principals with knowledge and ideas necessary for the smooth running of boarding schools.
Her words: “The aim of this timely retreat is to address salient issues in school administration and give you ample understanding of your roles and responsibilities in the day to day running of the schools as well as additional leadership skills that will take you through the new phase of your career path”.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Toyin Machado- Onanuga, appreciated the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for supporting the Commission in actualising its goals.
Machado-Onanuga encouraged Principals and School Administrators to challenge old and archaic values and protocols, shun limiting beliefs and embrace theories that allow and promote development.
“As School Leaders and School Administrators, you must be visibly seen to play a vital role in revitalising the profession; you should employ workable leadership styles that will allow for teamwork, collaboration, information and knowledge sharing within and outside your spheres of operation”, she stated.
