Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has stressed that the challenges of the educational sector must be tackled head on if the nation desire to be active participants in the present knowledge-based global system.

Ambode also advocated the need for the integration of academic, technical and vocational education in the nation with the aim of empowering the citizens and youths to be self-sufficient.

Ambode who made the remarks yesterday, at the opening of the Lagos International Education Conference, also disclosed plans by his administration to review public schools’ curriculum in order to align the content with the immediate and future needs of the state.

The governor, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo, noted that the review was crucial as the content of education curricula actually determines the quality of the manpower that will eventually be produced.

He stressed that a paradigm shift in the education sector was necessary in order for the state economy to achieve a quantum leap from the current $131billion Gross Domestic Product, GDP, as well as remain very competitive.

Meantime,  state government yesterday warned teachers in public schools to desist from leaving the school premises before the closing hour daily, saying “It will not be business as usual.”

This was disclosed by the Director-General of the Office of Education Quality Assurance, OEQA, Mrs. RonkeSoyombo while addressing Principals and Head-teachers in Education District VI, Oshodi.