Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun said science teachers in the state should acquire new knowledge, especially in the sciences.
This, he said, will ensure that students are imbibed with prerequisite knowledge, which will propel them towards economic growth and human capital development.
Governor Abiodun stated this at the closing ceremony of the Training of Trainers Capacity Building Workshop for 750 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers in public secondary schools in the state and 100 Education Officers, held at Akinale in Ewekoro Local Government Area.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, Governor Abiodun said education provides opportunities for exposure to new ideas and concepts that could be used to improve society.
Prince Abiodun said his administration recognises the significance of STEM teaching in building a strong education system, which had led to the formulation of new policies in the sector.
He noted that any government that desires 21st-century exposures must suppress the conventional way of teaching and embrace the new method of imparting knowledge.
Prince Abiodun said the present administration was ready to support the trained teachers, to cascade the lessons learned during the training by providing digital equipment, such as laptops for teachers and schools, interactive boards, projectors and other digital equipment that would enhance global teaching standards and learning.
Abiodun said: “Let me underscore the fact that our intervention in education, particularly STEM education, has been yielding outstanding results. Learners, who are the products of your collective unrelenting efforts, have been making the state proud in various science competitions.”
In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, said science was critical to the development and growth of the state, because economic transformation starts with STEM teaching.
“If science is given prominence, it can attract manufacturers and investors and thereby leading to the prosperity of the State,” he said.
In their contributions, the Project Coordinator and Project Manager, Ogun State Economic Transformation Projects (OGSTEP), Mrs. Mosun Owo-Odunsi and Mr. Fatai Osunsanya respectively, said the training was to enhance teachers’ skills, adding that it was an indication that education stakeholders in the state were determined to support the government in taking the sector to an enviable position.
Reacting some of the participants who spoke on behalf of others, Mr. Emmanuel Banire (JP) from Kobape Community High School, Mrs. Oluyemisi Olujimi from Sango Ota High School, the Zonal Education Officer, Ewekoro and Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Areas, Mr Adeola Ayoola and Mr Akeem Bisiriyu, respectively, acknowledged that the training would bring total reformation to the education sector in the state and appreciated the present administration for providing a conducive environment at the workshop.