The Lagos State Government (LASG) says the education system in the state is designed to sharpen the next generation of leaders to make them come out better and more enhanced.
Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, made the assertion on Wednesday at the just concluded Lagos State Education Summit 2022 organised by the state’s Ministry of Education.
The summit, with the theme: “Creating a Sustainable Fit-for-Purpose Education Model”, was held at Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island.
He noted that the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had a programme whereby children who had left school were brought back to school.
“So many things have been done in our education system. We have primary school students who are coding, which is extremely good and also engaging them already in critical thinking.
“In Lagos state, it’s not all about statistics but about practicality of what we are doing; we are also engaging the students in the tools for the future.
“So, I think ‘ Creating a Sustainable Fit-For-Purpose Education Model’ is a good thing and what needs to come out of this summit for me is what are next steps for us to take,” he added.
According to him, the state has created libraries, turned two Colleges of Education to Universities of Science & Technology and University of Education and they also have 12 Progressive Schools, Technical Schools and Vocational Schools.
“In two or three years time, what do we need to do again? How do we raise the bar? What do we do to make sure that education continues to progress?.
“ I have heard people talk about curriculum review and the rest. Fantastic; but, we must understand that we also do one exam called WAEC. How are shaping curriculum across the whole of West Africa?.
“So, it’s important to frame our curriculum changes within the context of West Africa whereby our students sit for the exams which is not just Lagoscentric,” he added.
Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, said that the development of any nation depended on the policy of education provided for the citizens.
Olatunji-Bello said that advanced countries including U.S. UK, China, Finland and others were able to achieve development plans over the years because of the kind of education provided for its citizens.
She described the policies in the advanced countries as purposeful and fit for national aspiration, saying, “this summit is critical to the successful realiasation of T.H.E.M.E.S Educational goal of Mr Governor.
“The theme and sub-theme of the summit are interwoven in order to create a sustainable field for education that cooperates with the achievement with the 30 years Lagos development plan.
“It is impressive that the education T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the Governor is prioritised, and we are hopeful and confident that this will be at the conclusion of this summit.
“The Lagos 30 years development plan targeted to make Africa the most model city, a buoyant economy, a financial core, that is safe, secure, functional and productive will only be achieved by young men and women with required knowledge and capacity.
“People who can think with clarity and solve complex problems. Fortunately,these are the students we train in our primary, secondary and tertiary Institutions.
“And that is why we must leave no stone unturned to ensure that the education will provide and fetch for them the future we desire,” she added.
The LASU V.C therefore charged stakeholders to work in synergy with the state government and the ministry of education to ensure that the 21 century technology are entrenched in the educational system.
According to her, thank God we have a visionary governor who has learned about the pace of technology in today’s educational advancement and invest in massive investment in technology driven learning space.
“It is now left for us, administrator’s, policy makers and teachers to channel our available resources towards ensuring that our curriculum meets current demands of the future society and our methodology relevant and result oriented.
“That our technology become extreme in extinction of our pedagogy and that we shall up skill to such a level when we can successfully interact with latest Innovation being put in place,” she added.
Olatunji-Bello was represented by the LASU Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration Prof. Adenike Boyo.
Also, speaking Folasade Adefisayo applauded Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the successful Lagos State Education Summit 2022.
Adefisayo urged participants to leverage technology in order to secure quality higher education and implore effective strategy for the implementation of the Fit-For-Purpose Education Model’.
The summit had plenary session with Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos State; Amb. Marjaana Sall, Finnish Ambassador for Education and Tunde Adekola, Senior Education Specialist, World Bank, Nigeria.
Others included Solape Hammond, Special Adviser on the Sustainable Development Goal and Investment to Gov. Sanwo-Olu and Femi Ogunsanya, Chairperson, the Conference of Private Schools in Lagos State.
The panelists called on stakeholders, particularly teachers, to be committed, passionate, courageous and seek to develop self towards the attainment of Fit-For-Purpose; Education Model’.
They also urged authorities to make resources available and tasked them to deliver results.
“Most importantly, there should be proper accountability as part of checks and balances both in the private and public sector,” they advised.
