Reciprocate Gov Makinde's gesture, TESCOM boss charges teachers - 7, 000 new appointees inducted

Reciprocate Gov Makinde’s gesture, TESCOM boss charges teachers – 7, 000 new appointees inducted

Yinka ADETUNJI

The chairperson of the Oyo State Post Primary School Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo, has urged teachers on devotion to duty and the need to reciprocate the gesture of the state governor Engr Seyi Makinde in expanding the frontiers of education.

Mrs. Oladipo stated this at Anglican Grammar School Ogbomoso while speaking with newsmen at the training and induction programme for teaching staff in Ogbomoso zone, who were newly employed earlier this year by the state government.

The TESCOM boss emphasized teachers should face their work with all responsibilities and devotion positing this would encourage Engr Makinde to do more against the backdrop of recruitment of 7, 000 and 3, 000 teaching and non-teaching staff respectively earlier this year.

“I want teachers in Oyo state especially to reciprocate the good gesture of His Excellency by being devoted, that means they should face their work squarely and be devoted to their duties so that His Excellency will be encouraged and he will not regret ever spending so much on the teaching and non-teaching staff of TESCOM in Oyo state.”

While commending the governor for recruiting “5, 000 teachers in 2021 and 7, 000 teaching staff and 3, 000 non-teaching staff in 2025,” she further charged teachers on the use of teaching aids stressing it enhances teaching and learning. “We are encouraging teachers to use physical objects to enhance teaching and learning so that when students see these they will assimilate better than using inanimate objects to teach them so we encourage them to use teaching aids that are in their environment, that are available in their environment so that teaching and learning will be made easy, that is my take for the education of today.”

She also emphasized adoption of e-leason note and e-teaching. “Also, we encourage them to adopt e-lesson note, e-teaching, and we encourage them to give assignment to students so that whenever they leave school, education will be continuous and not stop in the classroom.”

In her address at the programme, she expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde for prioritising “the welfare of teaching and non-teaching staff of TESCOM for the past six years and for approving this training/induction programme for the second time within 4 years,” harping on the necessity of digital literacy among the teachers in accordance with the new reality.

“A 21st century teacher must be digitally literate. A 21st century teacher cannot afford to remain a BBC (Born Before Computer) teacher. He or she must be technologically savvy. Our learners today are largely digital natives while a majority of the teachers are digital immigrants. Consequently, if we want to be effective and make a success of this profession, we have to retool ourselves digitally.”

Mrs. Oladipo similarly urged the participants on the need to register with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria TRCN submitting, “It is mandatory, you must be registered, certificated and licensed by TRCN to be a certified and professional teacher.”

She advised them to see themselves as leaders and to cooperate and collaborate with their senior colleagues and learn from them, while also stating, “I strongly condemn any act of dishonesty, laziness, discrimination, partiality, prejudice on any negative effect capable of damaging the integrity of anyone; Hence you should all mind your primary business of teaching and teaching alone.”

Seasoned resource persons delivered lectures on various topics and aspects aimed at spiking up professionalism and productivity among the participants.

The Permanent Secretary/Tutor General TESCOM Ogbomoso zone Mrs. Gbemisola Beyioku, administered oath of office to the newly recruited teachers.

Mrs. Oladipo was accompanied to the Ogbomoso edition of the training and induction programme by some members of TESCOM board, who included Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ajibola, Mr. Bamiji Ogungbaro, Hon. Ameerat Ayokunnu Ariyo, Hon. Rasaq Mustapha, Hon. Joshua Olusola Afolabi and Barr. Gbadegesin Isiaka Adeniyi.

Speaking with ogbomosoinsightonline.com, Hon Olusola Afolabi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Ogbomoso South local government, affirmed the commitment of the board to the progress of education in the state.

“Afoo” as he is fondly called stressed the board would continue to work tirelessly to empower the teachers and continuously ensure their welfare is taken seriously adding they are focused on restoring pride to the profession.

“As a member of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), I wish to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the progress of education in Oyo state. Our primary focus remains empowering our teachers, the backbone of our educational system by creating an environment where their efforts are appreciated, their welfare prioritised, and their professional growth encouraged,” Afoo stated.

“We are working tirelessly to ensure that our teachers not only deliver quality education but also feel the impact of the reforms being championed by our visionary Governor. Through training, support, and fair policies, we aim to raise the standard of teaching across the state.

“We believe that by supporting our educators, we are directly investing in the future of Oyo state. Our goal is to make education not just a duty, but a prideful and impactful profession one that reflects the values, vision, and developmental agenda of this administration. Together, we are building a stronger, more enlightened Oyo State.”