By Amaka Abayomi

The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, has disclosed that the state government is committed to the development of technical and vocational education in the state so as to prepare the youths for the challenges of the global economy.

Speaking at a special ministerial press briefing, Oladunjoye said to achieve this, the state’s Ministry of Education will continue to partner with all relevant bodies that will help in training and re-training of students in technical colleges.

“In the past year, 159 trainees have graduated in modern auto-diagnosis and awarded certificates of diagnosis, competence in auto-diagnosis and working knowledge in auto diagnosis. Lagos State Government Technical College, Ikorodu, won the bid in the South-West and has been selected to benefit in the MTN Youth Skill Development Project, which is focused on infrastructure development, capacity-building and supply of relevant equipment and furniture. The contract has been signed with MTN and work has commenced.

“Over 2000 youths in Lagos State are to benefit from the Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy established at Government Technical College, Agidingbi, an initiative of Samsung Nigeria Limited and the Lagos Eko Secondary Education Project in conjunction with LASTVEB.

The Academy will develop a pool of craftsmen and advanced technicians on all Samsung electronic products, offer technical classes for senior secondary school students from neighbouring schools, and help in the placement of trainees on internship and full time employment.

“We have trained 20 master trainers through the Entrepreneurship Training Programmes and five business clinics have been created in each of our technical colleges across the state to assist our students/trainees to prepare business plans, link them up with microfinance banks and encourage young business owners to develop the habit of proper record keeping.

“In order to enhance ICT teaching, we have provided state-of-the-art ICT centres in all our five technical colleges for the training of teachers and students in data management. Teachers are also being trained in the use of auto-cad for structural/electrical/architectural and machine part drawing.

...technical skills on display

“As a stop-gap for the very large number of school leavers who have continued to be JAMB casualties every year, we have commenced the Modern Apprenticeship Training Programme (MATP) and Graduate Vocational Apprenticeship (employability skills) Training Programme.

“To be run between nine months and two years, the programme will serve as a vehicle for providing technical training for school leavers and will invariably produce self-reliant, competent, skilled youths who are dedicated to becoming self- employed/entrepreneurs.”

“Through our partnership programme with the Plumbing Contractors Association, we have graduated 239 trainees in plumbing and fitting practice out of the 270 candidates who enrolled for the programme and they have been awarded with LASTVEB Competency Certificates (LCC) level 1.”

Pointing out that the massive improvement of the school system through infrastructure development and creation of a more conducive teaching and learning environment culminated in a rise in the performance of our students between 2007/8 and 2009/10 sessions, the Commissioner noted that there was a sudden decline in performance in 2010/11 session.

“As a result of this, series of meetings were held and we agreed that students, parents/guardians, teachers and the policymakers must work together to chart a new course for education development in the state and the periodic interaction between WAEC subject specialists, the state public secondary school teachers of core subjects (English, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology) and SS3 students should continue.

“Schools should provide Optical Mark Recognition sheets, past questions and ensure constant practice by students to promote enhanced performance at external examinations. With effect from 1st February, 2012, JS 3 and SS 3 students will undergo a daily after- school coaching while SS3 students will, in addition, have Saturday coaching in core subjects of English and Mathematics. These, we have implemented immediately.

“Promotion criteria and eligibility for WASSCE examination registration stipulated by government to be adhered to as follows: minimum of 50 per cent pass in five subjects including English and Maths; minimum of 90 per cent attendance in schools and at after- school coaching by SS3 students; 50 per cent attendance at Parents Forum by parents; no student will be allowed to write the October/November private candidate senior secondary examination/NECO. To ensure this, a screening test will be administered during the period of the October/November WASSCE examination to ascertain those who are ready for the mock examinations.”

According to the commissioner, highlights of achievements of the ministry include the Lagos Eko Project, which has been consistently rated ‘highly satisfactory’, and is one of the very few World Bank projects in Nigeria that has been recognised with such excellence.

Others include the devolution of funds directly to schools which has tremendously improved school leadership, increased teachers’ motivation, accountability and effectiveness, and has given them a sense of belonging.
The Lagos Eko project established the first standardised system of assessment in the state to continuously monitor learning outcomes in core subject areas.

The project initiated the first Governor’s Education Award last year aimed at promoting academic excellence in the state public junior and senior secondary schools. 126 schools received N2m each for increased percentage gain in their schools’ performance.