The 19th Annual Merit Award and Honours Day ceremony for the outstanding staff of the Lagos State Education District III was held on Thursday at Epe Grammar School Epe with the theme: “Upskilling For the Future of Education – An All-Inclusive Responsibilities”.
Speaking at the event the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS) of Education District III, Dr. Idowu Olufunke Oyetola commended the teachers and staff of the District for their dedication to service and praised them for taking the District to greater heights. She said that great teachers were the soul of an enlightened society as they have been entrusted with the development of the children who are the future of the nation.
Oyetola appreciated the Governor of Lagos State and the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education for their vision and unwavering support, stating that huge investments had been made in the Education sector of the State and the District such as the provision of digitised teaching and learning via distribution of IBILE mobile tablets as well as Android Phones to classroom teachers. This is in addition to the establishment of an iconic school building at Ogombo Community Senior Secondary School among others.
She said that these strides culminated in the students of the Community Junior Secondary School, Elemoro, Ibeju-Lekki representing Nigeria at the World Robotics Competition in Panama, adding that their improved co-curricular activities also resulted in District III winning the “Chess for Change” competition back to back.
While appreciating the Sanwo-Olu’s administration for the allocation of housing units to teachers of schools located in remote areas in Imota, Agbowa in Epe LGA, the TG/PS lauded the commitment of the teachers in the District in the 2023 academic session, stating that selection of the winners was a daunting task as all the teachers were outstanding.
Oyetola, therefore, encouraged the teachers who did not win any prize to try harder, advising them not to relent in their efforts or rest on their oars as continuous improvement is the key to lasting success.
The award for the Best Principal in the Senior Secondary School Category went to Mr. Efuwape A. Babatunde of Epetedo Senior School Lagos Island, while that for the Junior Secondary School category went to Mr. Odunayo Gbemisola of Resettlement Community Junior Secondary School.
The award for Best Teacher in the Senior Secondary School category was given to Mr. Oretan Bolaji Omoniyi of Alaro Senior High School, Epe. While Mr. Odunlami Oluwatosin from Ogunmodede of Junior College, Epe won the award in the junior secondary school category.
Dignitaries present at the event include the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji; HRM Oba Ganiu Asunmo, Alayandelu of Odo-Ayandelu Kingdom and HRM Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja Aladesonyin of Odo-Noforija Kingdom among others.
