By: Ayooluwa Ayobami
Sunrise News, June 4, 2024 – A one-day training workshop organised by the non-governmental organisation Youth Advocate for Change (YAFC) provided teachers and school owners in Lagos State’s slum communities with new resources and opportunities to collaborate with key figures in the education sector.
The event, held recently, featured prominent speakers including Professor Tiabat Lawanson, Professor of Urban Management and Governance, University of Lagos, (UNILAG), Mrs. Funmilayo Arowoogun, the National President of NECA Network of Entrepreneurial Women, Funmilayo Arowoogun, The Executive Director of SEED Care & Support Foundation, Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Founder, Street to School, Oluwatosin Olowoyeye- Taiwo, Digital Oncologist and Entrepreneurship Lecturer at the University of Lagos, Dr. Bukola Amao-Taiwo represented by an Adjunct Lecturer at UNILAG, Dr Funmilayo Grace Adetumobi.
The training which started with the opening speech of Professor Tiabat Lawanson, tasked school owners and administrators on the need for training and retraining for teachers in slum communities so that they can groom the kind of children they desire, considering the state of the low-income schools they attend.
Amongst the lots of trainings from various guest speakers, the Director General, Lagos State Office of Transformation Creativity and Innovation, (OTCI), Mrs. Toyin Anjous-Ademuyiwa, redefined education, by saying “Education is not merely about imparting knowledge, it is about nurturing young minds to become creative thinkers and innovative problem solvers.”
Anjous-Ademuyiwa, who was represented by Mrs. Osobu Titilayo said that in today’s world where the only constant thing is change, “it is imperative that our education system evolves to meet the demands of the 21st century.”
She further encouraged teachers and school administrators to take on free trainings organised by the state government through the Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) saying creativity is the livelihood of innovation.
She stressed that having the ability to think outside the box, to see possibilities where others see obstacles is a way of using creativity potentials to bring change in the world.
She however, reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government, at fostering an educational environment where a peaceful teaching strives and flourish.
During the Plenary Session, Mrs. Funmilayo Arowoogun, the National President of NECA Network of Entrepreneurial Women, Funmilayo Arowoogun called for the need for the Private Sector and their Foundations to support these low-fee private schools, stressing the fact that not all private schools are high-fee paying schools. There are actually “private schools for the poor” that charge fees as low as N100 (about $0.07) per day.
Also, The Executive Director of SEED Care & Support Foundation, Olanrewaju Oniyitan called for increased partnership and collaboration from stakeholders to support low-fee private schools.
She said that government to review the school approval guidelines, taking these schools and the communities they serve into consideration.
The Director of Basic Education Service, Mr. Adebayo Ishola, represented by the Deputy Director of Education, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Shitta-Bey A. H, was asked how the government intends to meet schools in small communities halfway considering the fact that they do not have enough equipment’s and better facilities, said that “there are collaborations between governments and NGO’s and private sectors. What is needed from them is for them to come forward and speak with the government in any areas they needed to be attended to.”
She stressed that the underserved schools need to learn how to collaborate with each other.
She said, “If someone has the space and the other have the funding, they can come together with their different resources and make things work.”
The Vice President, Sales, Educare, Mr. Botex Chinenye stated that the use of Montessori approach and traditional pedagogy will aide teaching in underserved areas effectively.
The convener of the workshop, Mr. Adeola Ogunlade, said that the programme was set out to create self-reliant teachers, develop teacher leaders, and help educators undertake innovative teaching methodologies and gain confidence in using educational technology with their students.
He lamented that teachers in low-income communities do not have access to quality training and thus, providing them with access to quality training and conversations will help to enhance teaching and learning within their classrooms.
He opined that with over 100 of informal settlements in Lagos State, there are thousands of low-income schools in Lagos, and they cater for millions of children in the state. “We must empower teachers in these communities with the right information, exposure and best practices as well as the latest technology in the pursuit of excellence in their classrooms.
Ogunlade called for more public/private partnership and investment for schools in low-income communities so that we can raise up children that can compete favourable in the future world of work.
He called for more support for ongoing YAFC projects in areas such as Makoko, Bariga, and Ketu.
He detailed projects including a lesson center in Ilaje community, and efforts to reconstruct an abandoned digital learning center housing 39 computers in Agboyi Ketu.
Some of the recommendation at the workshop included: enhancing Teacher Development, creating engaging learning environments and promoting empathy and inclusiveness. It also called to action for educators, policymakers, and community members to collaborate and innovate to improve educational outcomes in Nigeria. The overarching message was one of hope and determination to drive positive change through empathy, technology, and community engagement.