The Lagos State Teachers Service Commission (TESCOM) on Tuesday began a four-day induction programme for 1,000 newly-recruited teachers with a message to them to be passionate about their profession.
The event, with the theme: “Empowering Educators for Outstanding Learners Performances”, took place at the LCCI House Alausa, Ikeja and was facilitated by the Nurture House Consulting.
Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, Mrs. Iyabo Seriki-Bello, urged the new teachers as professionals to understand their roles, impact knowledge and ideas into students, which will positively translate to their “conducts, personal lives and by extension, the society at large”.
Mrs. Seriki-Bello said ‘’as teachers lay foundation for success, they are mind builders who mould and shape lives of students beamed to be future leaders. Great teachers make memories, assist students to think and attain goals.
“As teachers, for you to achieve these onerous responsibilities, you must be passionate about the profession. We need teachers by choice and not by force, teachers who must possess the ability to adapt to changing situations; and technologically savvy. With technology, you can think locally and act globally. Remember also, you must be able to communicate effectively.
“Distinguished Inductees, this State-wide induction has become one of the veritable avenues where successful officers, who, after going through the requisite screening of essay writing, mini teaching practice and oral interview, from where you were found eligible, are exposed to contemporary issues bothering on the ever-increasing scope of school administration/management.
“To achieve this onerous responsibility as described above, the training content will be a combination of lectures, syndicate sessions, case studies, use of blended skills, competencies and experience sharing.
“To those who distinguished themselves and scaled the ‘rigorous’ hurdle during the processes of tests and assessments, I profoundly welcome and congratulate you all. A big task is bestowed on you and you have the responsibility to brace up to the challenges and prove your mettle. Your performance on the job should assure the state government and indeed, Mr. Governor, that in truth, you are deserving of the opportunity.
Chairman of TECOM, Mrs Victoria Peregrino, said at the opening of the induction that it was the fifth of its kind. She said that the aim was to take the teachers through the essentials of their profession.
Mrs. Peregrino said that it was not enough to have academic knowledge, adding that there was need to know how to impart knowledge.
She hoped that the programme would contribute meaningfully to education development in Lagos State.
Lauding Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for uplifting education standards in the state, the chairman said that the administration had provided a conducive environment for teachers to work well.
“This training is to make you resourceful and contribute meaningfully to the progress of education in Lagos State. We expect you to put to practice, the academic knowledge you have acquired,” she said.
The chairman said that there was the need for teachers to take into consideration students’ mental and academic abilities, emotional state, total wellbeing and environments.
The chairman added: “The teaching profession is an evolving career, as such, teachers’ should develop the penchant for continuous learning to keep pace with the demands of the school system and master the daily and increasing requirements of the school and students’ development.
“Expectedly, teachers’ must be conscious of the fact that they are nurturers, creators, and destiny builders who are catalysts in determining the future of our dear country, Nigeria, through this noble profession.
“To support this refreshing policy, continuous and capacity development of the workforce will be uppermost in the scheme of things, and as such, this potpourri and fit-for-purpose induction programme has become most necessary.
“Evidently and in our character, this induction portends to engender you to building a formidable and productive educational system that can compete favourably with any of its kind globally, more so, in view of the present global shift towards Electronic Business Management.
TESCOM Commissioner Two, in Ikeja, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, advised the inductees to make maximum use of their employment opportunities to contribute to the development of the state.
An official of Nurture House Consulting, Mr. Akin Alanamu, said that Sanwo-Olu’s administration prioritised teachers’ training.
