Speeches

23rd Annual ANCOPSS State Congress

Nov 25, 2008 - It is my delight to join you today at the commencement of your 23rd Annual State Congress. I congratulate the President, Chief B.O. Williams, other executive and the entire members of ANCOPSS, Lagos State Branch.

Successful implementation of government policies in any sector or area of development largely requires the efforts and cooperation of all relevant stakeholders and practitioners. In the educational sub-sector especially at the secondary school level, government is aware that teachers and principals are strategic stakeholders and partners whose contributions, experience, knowledge and cooperation are needed to facilitate the implementation of government’s policies and actions.

This is why I have always held the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) in high esteem for their quality of ideas, discussions, and policy formulations which are helping to complement government’s efforts at enhancing functional education.

As a body, the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools congress provides a platform for you to meet and exchange views on related challenges in your schools, and make recommendations on matters affecting education; and present to government and the public an informed and independent body of opinions on educational matters.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me remind you that as professional secondary school administrators and accounting officers of your respective schools, government relies on you in the promotion of excellence and ensuring its policies are fully implemented. Now that government is committed to an aggressive pursuit of reforms to ensure qualitative and functional education, I know that your duties are becoming more challenging.

I would urge you to become more conversant with government’s policies, actions and programmes, so that your contributions at your own unit will help us to achieve desired result. It is therefore, expected that you demonstrate a high level of discipline, integrity, loyalty, dedication to work, commitment and good academic standing.

As role models, we look up to you to set good morals, academic and extra-curricular standards for teachers and students; maintain schools’ infrastructure and facilities; maintain discipline among staff and students; supervise and monitor admissions of students; attendance in schools, transfer, internal and external examinations; maintain good rapport between the staff and students on one hand and the school and the parents on the other.

In Lagos State, we believe that a sound education is the greatest legacy any government can bequeath to its citizens. Our goal and focus therefore is to provide qualitative and functional education to adequately equip the children and youths for global challenges. This is because the role of education as an investment in human capital on the long term development of the state and nation is highly significant. If our quest therefore is to build world-class manpower for a knowledge-based economy through education, we must embark on a pragmatic and proactive transformation of our education system at the basic, secondary and tertiary levels.

As a responsive government, we have continued to expend a huge amount of money on renovation, rehabilitation and construction of facilities to create an enabling environment for effective teaching and learning. Our emphasis is on providing infrastructure, instructional materials, ICT laboratories, resource centers, upgrading, training and retraining of teachers. Our ultimate goal is to make our public schools a destination for both students and staff.

Through recognition and excellence awards, prompt payment of salaries and allowances, easy access to housing and car refurbishing loans, we intend to continue to motivate our teachers and principals for enhanced performance. Unlike in the past, you now have the opportunity to reach the zenith of your careers as Tutor-Generals/Permanent Secretaries of a District. The decentralisation of the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) into six (6) Districts makes it easier for you to discharge your duties favourably and contribute meaningfully to uplifting the standard of education in your respective schools.

Let me say again that we require your full co-operation to make the intention of the government in this sector realizable. Our mandate and promise to Lagosians is to provide free education without borders. We expect you to fully comply. You must not be found collecting illegal fees from any student. Similarly, you must shun all negative tendencies that could tarnish your career such as illegal admission and unathorised transfer of students into schools, illegal sales of uniforms, books, any other related materials to students, illegal registration of candidates for external examinations and collection of unauthorised dues and fees during WAEC or NECO registration. You are not expected to collect any unauthorised money from students. The free textbooks in the major subjects are meant to encourage students to read and improve their performances in both internal and external examinations. Do not sell the free textbooks!

As you hold the 23rd annual All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools State Congress, it provides a platform for you to freely discuss, exchange views and make further recommendations to government on ways to strengthen and put Lagos State on the frontline of functional and qualitative education in the nation.

I congratulate the President, other executive and members, once again on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the 23rd annual ANCOPSS, Lagos State Congress. I wish you successful and fruitful deliberations. It is therefore my pleasure to declare open the 23rd annual ANCOPSS State Congress.

Thank you and God bless.

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria