As part of the strategies to sensitise parents and ensure that all children within the school-age bracket return to school, the Lagos State Education District III has begun an advocacy walk in the area, and they are pleading with parents to release their children for the new academic session. Ikoyi-Falomo in the state of Lagos is part of the Education District III.
The Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary of the District, Dr Olufunke Oyetola, who led the Walk-for-Fitness alongside school principals, directors, teachers, and non-teaching staff of the District, stated that the sensitization became necessary to improve school attendance in the District. Other participants in the Walk-for-Fitness included the teachers and non-teaching staff of the District. She noted that the view that in order for teachers to effectively fulfil their responsibilities, there is a need for them to be physically and psychologically fit is one of the premises upon which the Walk-for-Fitness, which is one of the yearly activities of the District, is based.
The TG and PS said that the ‘Walk-for-Fitness’ was an opportunity to also raise awareness for children to return to school. This was in response to the observation that the turnout of kids on the first and second days of school resumption was less than impressive. The Task Force and Policy Statement (TG/PS) recommended parents support the government since it has spent extensively in the education sector and will not leave any child behind in acquiring formal education. This was stated while the TG/PS also stated that education is the right of every child.
”Additionally, one of our goals is to maintain or perhaps improve our performance on the WAEC. “We will continue to improve so that we can get better through academic and non-academic activities because Lagos State is ranked as one of the states that have the top WAEC results in the country.” This was a point that was emphasised by Dr Oyetola.
During the Walk-for-Fitness and Awareness Campaign that took place at the Falomo Round About, a parent by the name of Mr Adegoke Johnson threw his support in favour of compulsory basic education for all children. He said that the government should have sanctions in place for parents who deprive their children of access to basic education. This was said during the Walk-for-Fitness and Awareness Campaign that took place at the Falomo Round About.
He lauded the state government for being a leader in the education sector and in other essential areas of the economy, and he urged the governments of the other states in the country to model their policies after those of the Lagos State Government.
