EDUCATION DISTRICT III SEEKS IMPROVED ATTENDANCE AMONG STUDENTS
Holds Walk-for-Fitness, Awareness Campaign on Public Schools Resumption
As part of strategies to sensitise parents and ensure that all children within the school-age bracket return to school, the Lagos State Education District III has embarked on an advocacy walk within and around the Ikoyi-Falomo area of the State, pleading with parents to release their children for the new academic session.
The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary of the District, Dr. Olufunke Oyetola, who led the Walk-for-Fitness alongside School Principals, Directors, Teachers and non-teaching staff of the District, said that the sensitisation became necessary to improve school attendance in the District.
She stated that the Walk-for-Fitness, which is one of the annual activities of the District, is premised on the belief that for teachers to effectively discharge their duties, there is a need for them to be physically and mentally fit.
The TG/PS added that the ‘Walk-for-Fitness’ was an opportunity to also raise awareness for children to return to school, having observed an unimpressive turnout from students on the first and second days of school resumption.
While stating that Education is the right of every child, the TG/PS advised parents to support the government as it has invested heavily in the education sector and will not leave any child behind in receiving formal education.
“We want all children of school age to be in school so that Lagos State can reduce out-of-school children to the barest minimum. We also want to sustain our performance in WAEC and even surpass it. As Lagos State is ranked one of the States that have the best WAEC results in the country, we will continue to improve so we can get better through academic and non-academic activities”, Dr. Oyetola emphasised.
During the Walk-for-Fitness and Awareness Campaign at Falomo Round About, a parent, Mr. Adegoke Johnson, threw his support in favour of compulsory basic education for all children, saying that government should have sanctions in place for parents who deprive their children of accessing basic education.
He commended the State Government for setting the pace in the education sector and in other critical sectors of the economy, calling on other States in the country to take a cue from what the government is doing in Lagos State.