CAPACITY BUILDING CONFERENCE FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS ON SCHOOL SAFETY - OYOMESI

Being the responsibility of the Oyo State Government to ensure that all relevant stakeholders are in sync with the various recent developments in state’s educational sector, the Oyo State Model Education System Interventions (OYOMESI) organised a Capacity Building Conference (CBC) for Proprietors and Teachers of private schools in the State on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at the Western Hall, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Agodi, Ibadan. The well-attended conference had the presence of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi; Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Hon. Adeyemi Adekola; Representative of Blue Charter Associates, the OYOMESI Project Administrator, Mr Yemi Adesanya; OYOMESI School Safety Administrator, Negesti; President of NAPPS (National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools) Oyo State, Pastor Kayode Adeyemi; President of Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS), Alh. Abbas Lawal and the AJUMOSE Safety Ambassadors Coordinator, Mr Akinwale Oluyinka.

Ms Bosinuola Abiola giving the HSE briefing.  

The programme commenced with Safety Moments, an HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) brief on necessary steps to take peradventure there is a notice of emergency at the venue. This was led by an OYOMESI Field Officer, Ms Bosinuola Abiola.  

Hon. Adeyemi Adekola giving his speech.  

In his opening speech, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Hon. Adeyemi Adekola expressed his warm welcome to everyone at the programme. He spoke about the recent developments in the state’s educational sector, which majorly lies under the OYOMESI Project, such as: WAEC BOOT CAMP, OYOMESI Job Experience (OJE) Scheme, CBCs etc. Adding that these have resulted in the recognition of Ibadan as a learning city, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). He also stated the importance and need for school environment to be safe as a child spends about one-third of the day in the school.  

Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi giving her speech.  

hile declaring the programme open, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr Bisi Akin-Alabi in her speech stated that education is incomplete without safety, as it is only children who are safe that can learn and achieve according to the United Nations. She added that School Safety is a means through which schools can gain recognition and financial support, citing an example in Lagos State. Stressing the invaluable importance of ensuring school safety, she cited various examples revolving around issues with safety in schools from her experience as a teacher and the school safety coordinator in Lagos State. She ended her speech with a song she taught the attendees on safety in schools.  

Negesti speaking to the attendees.  

The programme witnessed 2 plenary sessions which were led by the OYOMESI School Safety Administrator, Negesti, during which she emphasised the need for the school management to prevent avoidable risks, raise general safety awareness amongst its members of staff and hence protect the pupils. During the plenary sessions, the School Heads and Teachers present were divided into groups in order to deliberate on issues regarding school safety in Oyo State.