LASG CONCLUDES FOUR-DAY TRAINING FOR EVALUATORS ON INNOVATIONS, BEST PRACTICES IN QUALITY ASSURANCE

The four-day capacity enhancement programme for education evaluators organised by the Lagos State Office of Education Quality (OEQA) which started on Monday, July 30 came to an end on Friday, August 2, 2024, with emphasis on the need to deepen the leadership skills and enhance the capabilities of Directors in OEQA, particularly in the area of Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Management, and New Trends in Education Quality Assurance.

Delivering his address at the training workshop on Friday at De Rembrandt Hotel, Alausa Ikeja, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics Department, OEQA, Mr. Remi Abdul underscored the significance of the training programme targeted at evaluators at directorate level. 

He specifically acknowledged the importance that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu attaches to the training and retraining of staff, especially his interest in the capacity enhancement of education evaluators in line with the third pillar of his THEMES Plus Agenda which is Education and Technology. 

The Director mentioned that the training programme was meticulously designed to equip education leaders with the latest tools and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles.

Abdul said: “As leaders in the education sector, your role is crucial in shaping the future of our institutions and the students we serve. This training is designed to help you refine your leadership styles, stay updated on best practices, and leverage data-driven insights to drive improvement”.

He encouraged participants to actively engage, ask questions, and share their expertise, highlighting the value of collaboration and experience-sharing in elevating leadership standards within the sector.

In her insightful presentation, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, former Director-General of OEQA and presently Special Adviser on Education, Ogun State, explored the intricate dynamics of leadership styles and their profound impacts on the educational landscape.

She highlighted the critical role leadership plays in shaping the educational environment and fostering a culture of excellence. Soyombo stressed that leaders must be deeply involved in the pedagogical aspects of their institutions and advocate strongly for both teachers and students.

Additionally, she addressed the challenges and strategies involved in leading change in educational settings, emphasising the importance of developing long-term strategic plans and engaging in data-driven decision-making. Effective educational leaders, she noted, must navigate change adeptly and possess the foresight to anticipate future trends and challenges.

Dr. Oladele Oyatope, another facilitator, provided a thorough overview of developing an effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) model for the agency. 

He explained the difference between monitoring and evaluation, saying monitoring involves the continuous assessment of programme activities to ensure they are on track, while evaluation focuses on assessing the overall impact and effectiveness of these programmes. 

Dr. Oyatope emphasised that both processes are vital for accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement in education, underscoring the importance of setting clear objectives and indicators.

Dr. Oyatope also discussed the significance of policy analysis within the context of M&E, pointing out that analysing existing policies helps identify gaps and areas for improvement, ensuring that educational initiatives align with broader educational goals and objectives.

Mrs. Hameedat Mojisola Sanni, the immediate past Director of Quality Assurance Department (OEQA), provided a forward-looking perspective on future directions and innovation in education quality assurance. She explored the latest trends and innovations in this field, emphasising the potential of emerging technologies to revolutionise educational quality assurance. 

Mrs. Sanni illustrated how successful quality assurance models from around the world can be tailored to fit the local educational context, stressing the importance of learning from international best practices while considering local cultural, economic and social factors. 

She provided examples of how innovative practices in countries with high educational standards can be adapted to improve educational quality in other regions. This approach enhances the relevance and effectiveness of quality assurance and fosters a more globally competitive educational system.

On behalf of all the evaluators trained by the State Government, Dr. Suleiman Ogunmuyiwa, a director in OEQA expressed gratitude for the training’s genuine intention to improve education standards in the state. He assured the leadership of OEQA and the State Government that the knowledge and skills gained would undoubtedly enhance participants’ performance and contribute to the improvement of education quality in Lagos State.

“We thank you for creating an enabling environment for learning and growth, and for bringing together experts and stakeholders to share their experiences and expertise”, Dr. Ogunmuyiwa said.

It should be noted that the Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli Balogun, flagged off the opening ceremony held earlier on Monday at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall, Ikeja. 

In attendance at the closing ceremony of the four-day training capacity enhancement were distinguished Coordinating Directors, Heads of Departments (HODs), esteemed Zonal Directors, Heads of Units (HOUs), and other Directors of OEQA.