The Kwara State Government has reiterated the crucial role of principals in driving education reforms and urged them to take the lead in implementing the newly introduced federal government curriculum for basic education across schools.
Speaking at a meeting with the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Kwara State, held at St. Anthony Secondary School, Ilorin, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Olohungbebe, praised principals for their commitment, noting that successful reforms depend on their leadership, diligence and effective monitoring of schemes of work and policy compliance.
Quoting the Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Commissioner said, “I deeply commend our teachers for their continued support and sense of duty, as their sacrifices remain the foundation upon which our education reforms are built.”
Dr Olohungbebe added that “The Governor’s gratitude underscores the critical role teachers play daily in classrooms and with principals’ guidance, these reforms will translate into real improvements in learning outcomes for our children.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Rebecca Olanrewaju Bake, advised principals to attend ANCOPSS meetings regularly to remain updated and directed that students be given schemes of work, warning that sanctions await those who fail to comply.
Mrs Bake explained that the new curriculum rollout would be gradual over two to three years, beginning with Primary 1 and JSS1, and would cover major disciplines such as Science, Humanities and Business.
The Chairman, Teaching Service Commission, Mallam Taoheed Bello Abubakar, encouraged principals to work more closely with their deputies and maximize Parent-Teacher Association contributions for modest projects, stressing that teamwork and prudent resource management are vital to improving schools.
The ANCOPSS Chairman, Comrade Mohammad Salihu Baba, applauded the Ministry for embracing consultation and inclusion before making decisions on education matters and thanked the Governor for appointing credible leaders to manage the sector.
Comrade Baba pledged that principals would justify the confidence reposed in them by staying diligent and committed to their professional responsibilities across the schools in the state.
Other highlights included the reintroduction of Nigerian History into the JSS syllabus, motivational talks by counsellors during assemblies and better coordination of computer-based test facilities to prevent conflicts in schools.
The meeting was attended by the Permanent Member II of TESCOM, Mallam Sulaiman Danseko, Directors from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, TESCOM officials and principals from the sixteen local government areas of Kwara State.
