11th August, 2011
The Lagos State Government has moved to stop the state’s students’ mass failure in science subjects in external examinations.
As part of this move, the government held the first conference for Physics, Further Mathematics and Technical Drawing teachers on refocusing teaching methodology for high performance in science subjects.
The event held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Secretariat, Alausa, Southwest Nigeria, saw teachers being lectured on how to enhance students’ performance in the sciences.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga, said the state government is concerned about the dwindling performance of students in external examinations.
He said if proper teaching method is adopted in teaching science subjects in schools, many students will not be failing in external examinations.
“When deciding on what teaching method to use, a teacher needs to consider students’ background, knowledge, environment and learning goals. Teachers need to be aware that students have different ways of absorbing information and demonstration of their knowledge,†he said.
Speaking, the Director, Lagos State Educational Resource Centre, Mr Joseph Ajao, said the use of instructional materials in teaching science subjects could be very helpful to the students in grasping what the teacher is trying to pass across.
He said he had tried it when he taught students Geography, using symbols to illustrate his teaching, adding that the students understood more easily than if he was teaching the subject without illustrations.
In a similar development, the Director, Centre for Youth Development and Skills Acquisition, CYDAS, Mr. Alaba Olapade, has called on major stakeholders in the education sector to key into the Lagos State Government programmes meant to improve the standard of education in the state.
Olapade, while speaking in Lagos, said such collaboration is one of the major ways the standard of education could best be improved for the overall benefit of the youths and future of the state.
According to him, there is the need for the federal and state governments to increase budgetary allocations to the sector because of its multiplier effect on other sectors of the economy.
Olapade urged parents and guardians to ensure that their wards were closely monitored during this holiday to ensure that they are not lured into unholy acts.
He advised parents and guardians to ensure that their wards attend holiday classes to keep them busy during the period.
He suggested that more skill acquisition centres and recreation facilities should be provided for youths in the country as an avenue to build their talents outside the formal education sector.