Lagos state commissioner for basic and secondary education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, has promised to reward Education Evaluators under the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), describing them as invaluable assets essential for achieving the Greater Lagos vision, particularly under the Education and Technology pillar of the THEMESPLUS Agenda.
The commissioner made these remarks on Monday at the opening session of a four-day training workshop for evaluators organised by OEQA held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.
The workshop aims to enhance the capabilities of evaluators and improve the overall quality of education in the state.
Ali-Balogun emphasised that for Lagos to compete on an international level, the quality of its education system must be impeccable, explaining that periodic training of evaluators is integral to this goal.
He commended the evaluators for their dedication and professionalism. “Your roles as evaluators are crucial to our mission of providing high-quality education. We recognize and appreciate your efforts, and I am pleased to announce that we are introducing a reward system to further motivate and acknowledge your contributions,” said Ali-Balogun.
The commissioner further explained that the reward system will include incentives and recognition designed to celebrate outstanding performance among evaluators. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance educational outcomes and ensure that Lagos State remains at the forefront of educational excellence in Nigeria and beyond.
“We must strive for excellence in all areas of our educational system. By investing in the training and development of our evaluators, we are taking a significant step toward achieving this goal,” he added.
In her welcome address, the Director of the Quality Assurance Department (OEQA), Hameedat Mojisola Sanni, emphasized the significance of the training, stating that it is a strategic initiative to strengthen the capabilities of evaluators and drive excellence in education.
The workshop, with the theme “Driving Excellence in Education: Innovations and Best Practices in Quality Assurance,” is expected to equip evaluators with the latest knowledge and skills, ensure consistency and standardization in evaluation techniques, adapt to new educational trends, and improve stakeholder engagement.
She acknowledged the support of the State Governor, the Deputy Governor, and the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, in line with the policy thrust and direction of the present administration in driving quality education, particularly the Education and Technology pillar of the THEMESPLUS Agenda.
Sanni noted the uniqueness of the workshop, mentioning that many facilitators are seasoned, retired evaluators who bring valuable experience and knowledge to the training. She encouraged participants to embrace a growth mindset, unlearn and relearn, and leverage the innovations and best practices discussed during the workshop.
The Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics Department (OEQA), Remi Abdul, highlighted that the usual transitions in the civil service make the workshop timely and crucial, especially for new officers who have recently joined the agency. He stressed the need to increase the efficiency and productivity of evaluators to meet the standards and expectations of the state government, in accordance with new developments within the education sector.
The Director of the Centre for General Nigerian Studies at Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Mudashiru Muhammed, who was one of the facilitators at the workshop, urged the evaluators to embrace soft skills that will assist them in carrying out their duties diligently and without bias.
While speaking on “The Role of Quality Assurance in Education,” Prof. Muhammed commended the rationale behind the establishment of OEQA, describing it as a step in the right direction toward standardizing quality education in the state. He noted that prompt payment of staff salaries, provision of educational facilities, and appropriate budgetary allocation to the education sector are some of the ways the state government promotes quality education.
Another facilitator, Akintunde Laja Deile, who engaged the participants in stress management, advised them to prepare themselves to handle stress effectively. He added that participants and Lagosians, in general, need to build a high level of resilience to cope with their daily activities.
Similarly, Faheed Olajide exposed the evaluators and other members of the OEQA staff to the importance of emotional intelligence when interacting with people. During his presentation, he shared practical strategies needed for enhancing emotional intelligence, stressing that it is essential for effective leadership.
Participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to enhance their skills and for the government’s commitment to improving education quality in Lagos State. They pledged to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop to raise the standards of education in their respective schools and districts.
The training workshop, which started on Monday, July 29, 2024, will be concluded on Friday, August 2nd, 2024, and it is expected to address various topics that will improve the evaluation methods and strategies used by the state’s evaluators.
