By Stephen Adeleye.
The Kogi State Government on Wednesday commenced a three-day training workshop for School Administrators in both public and private schools across the state.
The three-day workshop was organised by Kogi Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), National Institute (NTI), Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), National Productive Commission (NPC), among others.
Mrs. Rosemary Osikoya, the Kogi Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, told journalists at the flagg-off ceremony in Lokoja, that the plan was to train all teachers, principals and school managers in the state in collaborations with the relevant partners.
The theme of the workshop: “Strengthening Public Schools Management For Quality Instruction and Learning”, is aimed to train Schools’ Managers on Curriculum Delivery, Effective Quality Assurance Management and Improve their Efficiency.
The commissioner said that the workshop was the first in a series that would work through in the state, saying a five-day training programne was currently ongoing for 100 teachers in the state which commenced on Monday to also end on Friday.
“We are hopeful that at the end of 2019, all the teachers and principals across the state would have been trained,” she said.
According to Osikoya, upon resumption in office in January 2016, His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, made education one of the five key thematic areas of his administration, which has been reflecting in his total commitment to the education sector.
She reiterated the commitment of the state government to strengthen not only formal education, but also non-formal and adult education to reduce illiteracy level.
She said that the governor had approved 15 per cent allocation to education in the 2019 budget, aimed to address teachers’ motivation, recruitment, capacity building, provision for learning and teaching aids, school curriculum, among others.
According to her, no school in Kogi state has a complete curriculum for all subjects, saying many of them still use outdated curriculum.
She added that the state government would be recruiting 3700 teachers in secondary, and about 4000 in primary schools this year, majorly science, technical and vocational teachers.
Mrs Deborah Ogunmola, Kogi State Head of Service, who declared the workshop opened, commended the relentless efforts of Gov.Yahaya Bello, for creating congenial atmosphere for educational development to triumph in the State.
According to her, schools need proactive managers with a vision for improving quality and learning outcomes and exceptionally outstanding in risk management.
“Quality learning provides managers, teachers and students with the thinking methods to continually improve the system of learning.
“This workshop is very timely and would enrich the school’s curriculum with the objective of enhancing the growth and development of the educational sector,” Ogunmola said.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), said the choice of the workshop’s theme, was a demonstration of Kogi State Government to improving students’ learning outcomes in its schools.
Bobboyi, who was represented by Mr Unwaha Yahaya Ismaila, National Coordinator, Federal Teachers’ Scheme, UBEC, commended the State Government, and its Ministry of Education, for been able to put the training together.
“The dynamic nature of the society and its ever changing needs and challenges place a burden on schools to identify them and make necessary adjustments in the process of preparing the learners for responsible and functional citizenship.
“This task makes it imperative that those responsible for planning, organizing and implementing school activities, are well trained and regularly re-trained while on the job.
“The Commission will continue to sustain and strengthen this partnership, and committed to ensuring that all children of school going age access quality basic education,” he said.
Prof. Garba Azare, the NTI Director General, who was represented by Mr Bashir Mamman, Director Examination, NTI, Kaduna, said that the state ministry of education had recognised the pivotal role of the school managers and teachers in administering education.
“It gladdens our that the commissioner is organising this workshop for school managers for the purpose of updating their knowledge and skills in school’s management and curriculum implementation.
“There is need to sustain this effort because it is only training and re-training of teachers that qualitative and effective teaching can take place in our educational institutions,” he said.
Mrs Mojisola Adeniyi, Deputy Director, Federal Quality Assurance Services (FEQAS), Federal Ministry of Education, commended the commissioner for the initiative, assuring the participants that “we are here to give you what is needed for you to deliver effectively”.
In their separate goodwill messages, the, TRCN, NABTEB, NPC, SUBEB, STETSCOM and NAPS, commended the state government and the commissioner for organising the workshop to build the capacity of schools’ administrators and teachers.
Mr Yakubu Godwins, the President, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Kogi chapter, who spoke on behalf of the participants, commended the state government for the gesture.
He said: “what we have seen today has never happened before, we really appreciate the state government for the workshop.
“We promised to always give our best at our various schools for effective services”.
