The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Olabisi Ariyo, has commended teachers in the state for their contributions to the development of education in the state.
Ariyo gave the commendation in Lagos over the weekend while receiving in audience teachers from the state public schools that excelled at the 2014/2015 President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award in Abuja.
She noted that the teachers’ efforts in raising the quality of education in the state are immeasurable.
She said the state government will continue to support them and create the enabling environment that will support efficient and effective teaching and learning, adding that by their excellent performance at the competition, they have made the state proud.
The Permanent Secretary however urged them not to relent on their good works, just as she advised them to continue to strive hard in mentoring the nation’s future leaders in their care for a better tomorrow.
Ariyo said: “Gone are the days when people say that teachers’ reward is in heaven.
“Nowadays teachers are getting their rewards right here on earth.
“You are in the business of moulding lives.
“It is my hope and prayer that God in His infinite mercies will bless you and your children will always find favour wherever they go.”
Nine teachers from the state public schools represented the state in the national competition, which had three categories, namely the Best School Award, Best School Administrator Award and Best Teacher Award in the Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools.
The Principal of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, O. Oguniyi, emerged the Best School Administrator in the Senior Secondary School category; the Principal of Shasha Junior Secondary School, Shasha, A. Enilolobo, came second in the Best School Award in the Junior Secondary School category; and in the Primary School category, the Head teacher of Christ Assembly Primary School, Gbenga Zomelo, came third in the Best School Administrator Award.
The Award, which was organized by the Federal Government to commemorate the Teachers’ Day, is held every October 5 to encourage and promote diligence, commitment to duty and merits in schools.
Responding on behalf of the awardees, Ogunniyi thanked the State Government for providing teachers in the state the enablement to prove their mettle whenever the opportunities came up.