The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in Lagos State, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, has directed evaluators from the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) to closely monitor schools below the tertiary level in the state.
The Coordinating Director, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA), Mr. Remi Abdul relayed this directive at a recent management meeting of OEQA held recently at Alausa, Ikeja.
He emphasised the importance of fearless monitoring and evaluation of schools across the State, stating that evaluators must ensure that teachers and students are punctual and regular while also conveying government directives to schools.
Abdul expressed concern that “Despite significant government investment in education, desired results have not been achieved. The narrative has to change; we have to do a lot to change and improve the situation on our part, particularly the performance of learners in external examinations”.
“Hence, the Commissioner has mandated evaluators to monitor the implementation of compulsory early morning and afternoon lessons, as well as Saturday intervention classes. According to him, these initiatives are meant to improve student performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE)”, he added.
Abdul emphasised that evaluators are expected to visit schools every Thursday to monitor afternoon lessons, while morning lessons are monitored during resumption. “As we speak, we have visited 109 schools, and we plan to visit all our schools”.
“We can not afford to treat this exercise with levity; the only thing that will show that we have performed this year is the performance of learners in external examinations”, he added.
Abdul stressed that attendance is key to achieving desired learning outcomes. “Any learner that does not participate in the intervention class will not be registered for WASSCE, “Likewise, teachers should also be monitored; They should be alive to their responsibilities and show commitment.”
The Coordinating Director stated further that the Commissioner has also mandated evaluators to interface with school authorities and the government to ensure that principals prioritise teacher and staff health and escalate concerns to relevant authorities when necessary.
He also directed school principals to support sporting activities, including Physical Health Education (PHE) programmes and encourage inter-house sports competitions. He stated further that schools with suitable land are also encouraged to adopt the Agriculture initiative of the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
Abdul further emphasised the importance of adopting the State Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and encouraging private sector participation in school affairs. He also encouraged old students’ associations and community engagement in supporting school.
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