in a bid to stop all acts of indiscipline in Public Schools, the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Education District III, Mrs. Titilayo Margaret Solarin, led Principals from Lagos Island, Epe, Eti-Osa and Ibeju-Lekki zones of the district to a meeting with parents, who have children in Public Secondary Schools in the areas, to brainstorm on how to inculcate discipline in disobedient students.
On Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at Dolphin Senior High School, Mrs. Solarin revealed that violence and acts of indiscipline have been noticed and recorded in some schools in the district, stating that the purpose of the meeting was to find a lasting solutions to the situation.
She stated that Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has continued to bring more development to education sector in the State; thus, the parents should play their role positively and effectively so that their children would not jeopardize the efforts of the government.
Mrs. Solarin condemned some parents who abet crimes in schools and urged every parent to support the inculcation of discipline in their children and stop violence against teachers. She said students coming to school with weapons to harm other students should be stopped and urged parents to be responsible to their children. She stated that cooperation of the parents is very important in promoting more values across the school; hence, she implored them to talk to their children during the holiday so that by the time school resumes, there would be expected changes.
The Permanent Secretary revealed that before her assumption of office as Head of the District, there was a violent culture, which involved students fighting with one another immediately after their final examinations, but that she was able to put an end to it through various sensitization programmes in various schools. She also pointed out that parents must be more responsible and concerned about their children, while also advising the students to see themselves as future leaders and stop all acts of hooliganism and corruption so that they would be able to help Nigeria out of her problems. Mrs. Solarin further advised parents to monitor all actions and general behaviours of their children, if they really want peaceful life and to reap the reward of their labour.
The Commander, Lagos State Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP Tunji Disu, who had the mandate of the State Commissioner of Police to come and address the gathering, also advised the parents to help in instilling proper moral values and discipline in their children. He said both the parents and State Government are expending a lot of resources to bequeath a better and brighter future to the children; hence, parents must engage in proper monitoring and prayers that can make them successful. ACP Disu enlightened the parents on the need to prevent their children from engaging in violent acts, noting that this can lead to their arrest and imprisonment, which may dent the image of their families. He also urged all Lagosians to be security conscious, stating that when they see or suspect any criminal acts, they must report it so that the Police can come to their rescue.
The Principal of Dolphin Senior High School, Mrs. Pereira T.A., who shared the experience she had with some violent and indiscipline students, told parents at the gathering to consider the future of their children in all their dealings and advised them to provide all their academic needs and pay regular visit to their schools. While speaking about time management for children, she warned the students against wastefulness and joining of gangs that would not allow them utilize their time positively. Mrs. Pereira T.A stated that School Administrators and teachers are devoting time to the students and urged parents do more of that.
Meanwhile, Chairman, Parents’ Forum, Lagos Island, who also doubles as Chairman, Epetedo Senior High School Parents’ Forum, Alhaji (Prince) Shakirudeen Olatunji Giwa, commended the district for organizing a meeting to discuss issues concerning the students, He urged all parents present to always talk to their children and monitor their behaviours and academic activities. He expressed belief that the outcome of the meeting would bring about positive changes across schools in the district.
During the interactive session at the meeting, the parents pointed out various issues that cause violence and indiscipline in schools and the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary satisfactorily addressed them while agreement was reached by all parties to return sanity to all schools.
The dignitaries at the meeting included, the Director of Administration and Human Resources of the District, Mrs. Aderonke Kudirat Bello; General Secretary, Lagos State ANCOPSS and Principal, Alaro Community Junior High School, Epe, Mr. Omotunde A.I; Chairman, Lagos Island ANCOPS and Principal, Epetedo Senior High School, Mr. Akindambi Samuel Olufemi; Principal, Lagos State Senior Model College, Badore, Mr. Ayantunji, amongst others.