A workshop organized by the Youth Advocate for Change (YAFC) has provided needed support to teachers and school owners operating in the slums of Lagos State.
The one-day training event featured prominent speakers, including Professor Taibat Lawanson of the University of Lagos, who emphasized the importance of continuous training for teachers in low-income communities to groom children effectively.
Mrs. Toyin Anjous-Ademuyiwa, representing the Lagos State Office of Transformation Creativity and Innovation (OTCI), redefined education as nurturing young minds to become creative thinkers.
“Education is not merely about imparting knowledge, it is about nurturing young minds to become creative thinkers and innovative problem solvers,” she said.
She further encouraged participants to leverage free training opportunities offered by the state.
During the plenary session, Mrs. Funmilayo Arowoogun, National President of NECA Network of Entrepreneurial Women, called for private sector support for low-fee private schools serving the poor.
The government representative, Mrs. Shitta-Bey A.H from the Ministry of Education, urged underserved schools to collaborate and leverage each other’s resources. She also highlighted existing partnerships between the government, NGOs, and private sector.
Mr Adeola Ogunlade, the convener, said the program aimed to create self-reliant teachers, develop teacher leaders, and promote innovative teaching methodologies and educational technology use.
“We must empower teachers in these communities with the right information, exposure and best practices as well as the latest technology in the pursuit of excellence in their classrooms.” He said.
Mr Ogunlade lamented the lack of access to quality training for teachers in low-income communities and called for more public-private partnerships and investment in these areas.