It has been revealed that school administrators and teachers in both private and public sectors lack absolute knowledge on the content of National Policy on Education.
This knowledge gap among the administrators became obvious last week during a one-day leadership training for Heads of schools and administrators organized by the Centre for Human Security, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library held in Lagos.
Participants drawn mainly from the private education sector were tongue tied when asked to signify if they have read or know the content of the policy.
Delivering a paper titled, “Modern Methods of Managing Basic (Primary) Schools”, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr. Grace Oshun, described the situation as shameful adding that it calls for concern if school administrators who are supposed to be the chief driver of the sector have little or no knowledge of the important document.
Reacting to the development she said, “It is a big shame that those of us who call ourselves practitioners don’t have a vital tool of our profession. I consider the National Policy on Education as a vital tool for administrator and school owners to acquire and share or discuss with their teachers”.
Drawing an analogy of the situation to the case of a farmer who goes to clear weeds on a farmland without cutlass and hoe, she stated that every teacher that is worthy of being registered and called a professional should have a copy of the policy particularly as schools administrators.
Stressing that if the important document is the basis on which knowledge and learning are based, it then becomes imperative for this category of teacher trainers and managers to possess, adding that every student that possesses through her tutelage is encouraged to buy one or read the policy.
Responding to question of availability of the document in the open market, the education teacher responded that procurement of at least a copy for the school will be useful for teachers to also read and get familiar with its content.
The Director CHS and chief convener of the training workshop, Professor Peter Okebukola underscored the importance of education at the basic level saying that it is the core of progress and development in modern societies.
Speaking on the topic, “Leadership Dynamics”, Programme Officer, Mr. Ibukun Olagbemiro pointed out that irrespective of the mood of teacher provision of purposeful leadership by head teacher supersedes all other interests where the daily life of the school and pupils is concerned.
He said, “Even if you are sad, the moment you get to the gate of the school, as the head teacher, you pocket that sadness and immediately take up responsibility for teachers and pupils because you are expected to deliver quality leadership and learning”.
