The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, Mrs. Titilayo Margaret Solarin has averred that those in the teaching profession deserve a step higher than their students in terms of exposure, adding that it was impossible for teachers to give what they do not have to pupils.
Solarin stated this when she led the staff of Government Junior College Agege, on a “Mid-Term Excursion/Retreat Programme” in Badagry town recently, pointing out that the choice of Badagry was because of its rich historical background and tourism potentials that serve as point of references to teachers during some of their interactions with students.
She described the idea of the retreat as a very laudable one, noting that it is important to be sensitive to the social and relaxation needs of staff in order to ensure that they continue to give their best to their students.
The Tutor-General expressed the hope that by the time the teachers return to school, they would have been better refreshed to give their best for the benefit of the students as well as the school as a whole.
Explaining that it was imperative for the teachers to keep abreast of developments around them and most importantly be familiar with some historical sites in the State, Solarin maintained that such knowledge would make teachers easily transfer their experiences of the monuments when teaching their students.
She commended the Principal of Agege Junior Government College for pioneering the initiative, describing the idea as highly remarkable and worthy of emulation by other Principals within the District and the State at large.
On her part, the Principal of Government Junior College Agege, Mrs. Bolanle Olusola Alamu, explained that the excursion and retreat were conceived as a noble idea to motivate teachers.
According to her, “we are just making efforts to key into the various creative and innovative reforms in the State’s education sector, especially the call by the State Government to fashion new approaches to learning for better service delivery and results in our schools.
“My intention for organising this retreat was to further solidify the interest and confidence of the teachers in the teaching profession so that they can continue to give their best to the service. I believe that what is good for other professionals is also ideal for teachers” she asserted.
Mrs. Alamu expressed the hope that the teachers would, henceforth, approach their jobs with much passion and vigour going forward, saying that the presence of the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of the District was a morale booster and source of encouragement to the participants.
