By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has advised schools principals under the umbrella of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Lagos State Chapter not to compromise standard in secondary education despite the economic downturn in the country.
The Governor, who gave the advice at the 30th Annual State Congress of ANCOPSS held at the Teachers’ Pavilion, Central Business District, Ikeja, said the present economic challenge facing the country was not enough reason to compromise quality service delivery in the education sector.
On the contrary, he urged them to redouble their efforts and continue to complement government endeavour at achieving higher educational standards and outcomes in all secondary schools across the country.
Mr Ambode, represented by his Deputy, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, stated that the annual conference provides a consistent opportunity for experienced educators and schools managers to come together and exchange ideas in order to proffer necessary recommendations to government on the way and means to continually improve the educational sector.
“As a demonstration of our genuine commitment to effective teaching/learning in schools, the State Government had released substantial amount of money for the rehabilitation and construction of old and new school buildings respectively as well as provision of infrastructure to ensure quality education delivery in all schools across the State,” Mr Ambode noted.
The Governor maintained that the present administration has succeeded in tackling furniture and other related problems in public schools, promising that by the First quarter of next year, all public schools in the State would have enough furniture and other learning materials that will enhance quality teaching.
While describing the theme of the Conference, “The Management of Schools in a Dwindling Economy: Strategies for Maintaining Standard”, as apt and relevant to the present situation, Ambode called on principals and schools administrators in the State not to allow the present state of the nations’ economy affect their productivity in delivering quality services that will impact positively on the lives of the younger generation.
Earlier in her welcome address, ANCOPSS President, Lagos State Chapter, Mrs Omotunde Lawson stated that ANCOPSS, among other things, aims at providing opportunity for principals of post primary schools in Nigeria to exchange views and make recommendations on matter affecting education in the country.
While noting that there was the need for members to meet from time to time so as to review various deployments in the secondary education and fashion out ways of contributing to its growth in the country, Mrs Lawson urged members not to betray the confidence reposed in them by the public by remaining focused, honest, disciplined and committed to the objective of achieving quality standard in education in the country.
