Adeyinka Adeniji 
Lagos State government in partnership with an education-based Non-Governmental Organisation on Wednesday organised a capacity-enhancing seminar for teachers across the state.
About 1200 teachers are to be trained in a program that the organisers say will be continued in phases.
In his opening address at the training program, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said the program resonates with the third pillar of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s developmental THEME Plus agenda – EDUCATION
He declared that it is in response to the pressing need for enhancing professional growth and ensuring the delivery of quality education in the state.
Themed: “Equipping Educators with Enquiry-Based Methodology and Accuracy Skills in the 21st Century Classroom”, the training program will aid teachers in equipping the pupils with the appropriate skills required to navigate the rapid transformation in the educational landscape.
Held at the Lagos State Education Resource Center, Ojodu Ikeja, Alli-Balogun said the capacity building training is organised in collaboration with SKLD Integrated Services Limited and Casio. Saying that it will ultimately aid teachers in equipping their students with the tools to navigate the complex world.
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While noting that an inquiry-based methodology will empower students to ask questions, explore multiple perspectives, and critically analyse information.
He explained that the adoption of an inquiry-based model of teaching will assist students in developing essential skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and effective communication.
He added that: “Equally important in the 21st-century classroom is the emphasis on accuracy skills. In an era of abundant information, students must learn to recognize fact from fiction, evaluate sources critically, and engage in rigorous research.
“As educators, we must equip ourselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to guide our students in this process.”
Urging participants to approach the program “with an open mind and a commitment to professional growth”, he also charged them to “embrace the challenges that lie ahead, for they are opportunities to transform the lives of our students and shape the future of education.
Together, we can create classrooms that inspire, empower, and prepare our young learners for the complexities of the 21st century,” the Commissioner stated.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Lagos Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Victoria Peregrino, praised the organisers of the program and posited that it would allow instructors to enrich their knowledge.
“I am very happy that you have trained more than 3,000 teachers in the past. We are very ready to give every support to make your work smooth and impactful. The teachers are the drivers. It is a good teacher that will produce good students. It is good students that showcase the performance of any state.
“We are very happy for this collaboration. We urge all of the stakeholders to take good advantage of this opportunity. You should try to lose yourself from the old ways and be ready to change,” she stated.
The Deputy Managing Director of SKLD Integrated Services Limited, Tayo Osiyemi, noted that the organisation believed the future would be secured with quality education put in place.
According to him, the collaboration with CASIO, which he said began in 2018, focuses on human capital development in the education sector.
He added that the partnership with Lagos encouraged the building of a CASIO Lab on the premises of the Lagos State Education Resource Center in Ojodu.
While announcing the conclusion of plans to build an additional five such Labs, one in each Education District.
He said SKLD is to expand the CASIO lab to five locations in the State. We have provided 1,200 calculators for the training and equipping of our teachers. We are set to deliver lectures for 1,200 teachers. The target is to equip the master trainers making sure they are equipped with new technology. We hope it will serve as a tool to unlock the potential of every student in Lagos.”