The Lagos State Government (LASG) on Thursday challenged its educators to actively pursue training, self-development, and professionalism to maintain their relevance in a changing world.
Mrs. Mopelola Peregrino, the Chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), issued the charge at the third edition of the annual colloquium and training event for teachers. The colloquium is a preparatory event for the 2025 World Teachers Day, observed every October 5. Peregrino emphasized that embracing continuous self-development is necessary to keep teachers current with emerging trends in their chosen field.
She added that self-development would also enable them remain relevant in the profession.
The chairman said the theme for the 2025 event: “The Impact of Industrial Relations Policies on Teachers Performance”, was carefully chosen.
She noted that the discourse would broaden the horizon of the stakeholders on how industrial relations policies shaped working conditions and the impact it had on job satisfaction and performances.
“On our part as a commission and as a government, I can assure you that we will always promulgate policies that provide fair treatments, reasonable workload and timely compensations.
“Also, we will provide an avenue for grievance resolution, which I am sure will boost teacher’s morale, job satisfaction and improvement in overall performance.
“The third edition of this colloquium, which is meant to be an annual initiative, is designed to bring relevant stakeholders together.
“They will brainstorm on topical issues expected to further inspire, educate and improve our skills in the teaching career,” she added.
The TESCOM chairman noted that the commission was organising the event as part of training with blend of lectures, symposium and networking.
She, therefore, urged teachers present to open their minds positively to learn and relearn.
“Feel free to ask questions where necessary for clarifications.
“Strong and positive policies foster trust and cooperation, which ultimately lead to increased teachers’ productivity and effectiveness,” Peregrino said.
She also appreciated the leadership of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described him as ‘amiable’ for his unflinching support for the state’s education sector, especially for teachers’ welfare.
On his part, Dr Issac Adetolu, the Guest Speaker, said the training was to prepare the minds of teachers to be mindful of the best interests of their employers, which was the Lagos State Government through the commission.
Adetolu said there must be harmony between the employees and the employer, so that the end result which was optimal performance of teachers could be achieved.
He said: “However, before we can achieve optimal employee performance, the employee must be satisfied, so they can achieve the expected goal.
“So, the essence of this training is to let teachers know the impact of the industrial relationship as it affects job satisfaction and job performance.
“The government, who are the employer, should remember that the employee did not choose themselves but it was the employer that recruited them.
“The government should realise that while they expect the teachers to achieve the expected goals, they should ensure that the employees’ welfare is taken care of,” Adetolu urged.
In his remark, Mr Akintoye Hassan, the state’s Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) chairman, said teachers inadequacy would remain until the state achieved the UNESCO standard of 1:25 student to teacher ratio in a class.
Hassan said this was the reason there was an ongoing recruitment at both the TESCOM for secondary school and SUBEB for the primary school teachers.
He reiterated the union’s demand that the governor should implement the 65 years retirement age for teachers in the state.
