The Lagos State government has emphasised the importance of capacity building for its teachers to enhance their professional growth and ensure the delivery of quality education in the state.
The State’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, shared this perspective on Wednesday during a capacity training program organized by the ministry in collaboration with Casio Middle East\Africa and SKLD Integrated Services Limited for educators in the state.
The commissioner addressed the theme of the training, which is “Equipping Educators with Enquiry-Based Methodology and Accuracy Skills in the 21st Century Classroom.” He explained the urgent need for educators to be well-equipped with essential skills and knowledge, including technology, to become more effective in their roles and achieve better learning outcomes for their students. He emphasized that modern classrooms have evolved into dynamic hubs of knowledge and innovation, where students actively participate in their learning journeys.
The commissioner stated, “As educators, it is our responsibility to equip our students with the tools they need to become adaptable learners and compete favorably with their peers globally. This is the essence of this training.” He further highlighted the significance of inquiry-based methodology, which empowers students to ask questions, explore multiple perspectives, and critically analyze information. By engaging in inquiry, students develop crucial skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and effective communication.
He also stressed the importance of accuracy skills in the 21st-century classroom, where students must learn to distinguish facts from fiction, critically evaluate sources, and engage in rigorous research to broaden their knowledge on any subject. Educators, he noted, must equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to guide their students through this process.
The commissioner urged participants to give the training their full attention, as they are expected not only to become more effective themselves but also to train their colleagues based on the knowledge they acquire.
In her remarks, Mrs. Victoria Peregrino, Chairman of Lagos Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), emphasized the pivotal role of quality education and teachers in the development of a country and its people. She highlighted the value of continuous capacity training for teachers, which enriches their knowledge and enhances their ability to perform optimally in their service delivery.
Peregrino emphasized that teachers are essential drivers of education, as only good teachers can produce well-prepared students who can transition to tertiary schools and acquire the skills and knowledge needed to positively impact society. She expressed her satisfaction that SKLD and Casio have trained over 3,000 teachers in the past and are currently training an additional 1,200 teachers. She assured that the state government would continue to support teachers to make their service delivery more impactful.
Koji Shimada, the General Manager of CASIO, and Tayo Osiyemi, the Deputy Managing Director of SKLD, both highlighted their collaboration with the state government to provide quality education. They disclosed that this partnership on capacity training for education began in 2018, with more than 3,000 teachers already trained in the state. Osiyemi mentioned that an additional 1,200 teachers are currently participating in the training.
Osiyemi added that all trainees would receive a CASIO calculator, and there are plans to expand the CASIO laboratory under the “Casio Model School Project 2023/2024” to cover all six education districts in the state. The participants are expected to leave the training with improved knowledge and tools to help their students unlock their potentials.
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