Lagos State Government has organised a two-day retreat for outstanding teachers and 22 semi-finalists of the 2021Teachers Merit Award.
The shortlisted semi-finalists, who are teachers and school administrators from public schools across the state, were treated to the special retreat, which ended yesterday in Ikeja.
Education Commissioner Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo hailed the exceptional teachers for making it to the semi-final.
She said those who made it to the stage were winners.
Adefisayo praised them for their performance after the screening by the award committee comprising private and public education stakeholders.
She said: “In the last edition, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu rewarded outstanding teachers and school administrators in categories with cars and other gifts.”
The commissioner said the governor had invested in all facets of the education sector in the last three years, stressing that the coming teachers’ merit award was part of the governor’s commitment to enhance the welfare of teachers.
Said she: “Lagos State Government will continue to create a level playing field, support teachers’ capacity development with relevant skills acquisition and exposure to international best practices.”
Encouraging the semi-finalists, Adefisayo advised them not to relent as the government had noted the impact of their commitment, efforts and the consequential development of pupils in public schools.
Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board Wahab Alawiye-King said the retreat was part of Sanwo-Olu’s way of appreciating and encouraging teachers to put in their best in improving the standard of education.
The retreat, with the theme: “Leadership”, gave the semi-finalists opportunities to be trained in topics such as transformational leadership traits, personal and professional etiquettes, breaking the culture of corruption and other administrative techniques and teamwork.
The annual merit award is an initiative of the Samwo-Olu administration to reward hardworking, committed and exceptional teachers and school administrators in public schools.