Mrs Ronke Soyombo, the Special Adviser to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Primary and Secondary Education, has described secondary school principals as essential partners in reviving the falling standard of education in Ogun.
Soyombo stated this on Tuesday in Abeokuta at a meeting with All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) led by its President, Mrs Olubunmi Womiloju.
She said that it was important to develop meaningful synergy between the government and ANCOPSS by restoring healthy competition, boarding facilities, discipline, quality teaching, learning and serious advocacy back to schools.
The special adviser charged stakeholders in the state’s education sector to chart a course that would enable the state regain its legacy as a leader in the sector.
“In time past, Ogun State public secondary schools has always been our standard model schools that churned out great and successful people that are doing well in their chosen fields.
“Excellence and good discipline was the priority with healthy competitions among the schools back then, this is what the present administration is working to restore and we believe together we can bring the lost glory of our schools back.
“We are going to restore discipline, excellence and good morals back to our schools, results of our students will now be made public to foster more efforts and healthy competitions.
“Security in schools will be heightened, school management and standards will take a new shape from henceforth. With all these successfully put in place, our educational standard is guaranteed,” Soyombo said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye, commended the principals for their leadership quality , saying government would not rest on its oars until better standards were restored in schools.
Ogunleye also said that schools would be properly fumigated before resumption.
In her remarks, Womiloju commended the state government for its plans to uplift school standards.
Womiloju promised that the association would continue to support the state government’s programmes, saying that the growth and development of the education sector remained a collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
The ANCOPPS president enjoined principals to maintain standards and adhere strictly to the decisions reached at the meeting wholeheartedly.
