From left: Victoria Peregrino. Chairman TESCOM, and Iyabo Seriki-Bello, Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, at induction of new teachers in Ikeja on Tuesday
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Lagos State Teachers Service Commission (TESCOM) on Tuesday began a four-day induction programme for 1, 000 newly-recruited teachers in the state. The event had the theme: “Empowering Educators for Outstanding Learners Performances”.
The induction which took place at the LCCI House Alausa. Ikeja, was facilitated by the Nurture House Consulting.
The Chairman of TECOM, Mrs Victoria Peregrino, said at the opening of the induction that it was the fifth of its kind, adding that the aim was to take the teachers through the nitty-gritty of their profession.
Peregrino said that it was not enough to have academic knowledge. She said that there was need to know how to impart knowledge.
She hoped that the programme would contribute meaningfully to education development in Lagos State.
Commending Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for uplifting education standards in the state, the chairman said that Sanwo-Olu’s administration had provided a conducive environment for teachers to work well.
“This training is to make you resourceful and contribute meaningfully to the progress of education in Lagos State. We expect you to put to practice, the academic knowledge you have acquired,” she said.
The chairman said that there was the need for teachers to take into consideration students’ mental and academic abilities, emotional state, total wellbeing and environments.
“They have acquired the academic qualifications needed to teach, but they need to know how to interact with students, fellow teachers, the principal, the community, other stakeholders in the education system and the society at large.
“We want our students to excel in every aspect of education and be able to compete with their peers globally,” she added.
Mrs Iyabo Seriki-Bello, Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, said that the commission needed teachers by choice, not by force.
She called on the new teachers to understand their roles well.
Seriki-Bello described teachers as mind builders, saying that they must be passionate about their profession.
“You must have the ability to adapt to the changing world and be technology savvy.
“With technology, you can think locally and act globally.
“You must be able to communicate effectively,” she added.
Earlier, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye, TESCOM Commissioner Two, in Ikeja, advised the inductees to make maximum use of their employment opportunities to contribute to the development of the state.
An official of Nurture House Consulting, Mr Akin Alanamu, said that Sanwo-Olu’s administration prioritised teachers’ training.