The Lagos State Ministry of Education says it will unveil the portal for the 2020 Teachers Merit Award application barring any unforeseen circumstance.
Mrs Lai Koiki,who disclosed this to Newsmen in the office of honoourable minister of Education in Lagos said the portal will be open for application from December 21, 2020 to February 12th 2021.
Lai said the merit award is an initiative of the Lagos state Ministry of Education to honour teachers during their active service years.
Mrs Lai Koiki who is also the Chairman of the merit award and Executive Director of Greensprings school, said that this year’s edition is very special because of the peculiarities of the global challenges caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
“The onset of the pandemic challenged the CAN DO spirit, resilience and creativity of all our teachers and leaders as they all tried to minimise the learning lost in their students.
“Although, that is part of what makes this year’s award very special, as it is an opportunity to recognize, showcase and appreciate teachers in our government schools.
“It aims to appreciate teachers who risked it all to excel and distinguished themselves through their teaching and learning practices which ensured that no child was disadvantaged or left behind’’.
According to her, education is the bedrock of development of any society and it is in recognition of this that these awards found a place in the prime educational transformation agenda of the Lagos state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
“This award bears in mind the universal call to action through the UN sustainable Development Goals and the THEMES agenda developed by the Lagos State government’’.
She pointed that the committee came up with a sustainable vision for the award to promote the prestige of education in the state.
“The state government has made huge investments in education, especially leveraging technology and providing an environment for learning: tough job I must say but despite that, the Ministry of Education under the able leadership our amiable commissioner of Education Mrs Folashade Adefiayo has continued to be a trailblazer.
“In addition to that, we hope this intervention will motivate our teachers and others to start respecting this noble calling as a profession.
“This award will not only celebrate promising and innovative practices but also shine a spotlight on these outstanding ideas and innovations so that other educators can replicate them to enhance learning outcome in all schools’’.
She said the application timeline for first stage will open Monday December 21, 2020 and close Sunday January 17 2021, while the successful applicants from the first stage are notified of their qualification for the second stage of the application.
“Second stage of application portal will open Monday February 1 2020, and close Monday February 12th 2021, while the successful applicants from the second stage are notified, then 30 finalist will emerge’’.
She said that the finalists will be invited for two-day retreat during which the 20 winners will emerge, then followed by gala night where winners of the Lagos state teachers Merit Awards will be unveiled and presented.
“The following categories are the number of exceptional educators leading cutting edge learning, using innovative tools that will be selected in 7 categories across the state.
1) 3- Teachers in primary School
2) 3- Teachers in junior secondary school
3)3- Teachers in senior secondary school
4).1- Head Teacher in primary
5) 1-Principal In junior secondary
6) 1-Principal in senior secondary
7) 1- principal in Technical college
She added that previously the awardees were being nominated but this year it will come with proof and evidence of their works such as voice recordings, video clips etc. then we carry out our investigations based the evidence they provided.
“We are encouraging all outstanding teachers and administrators to apply for this prestigious award and recognition so we can shine a huge spotlight on their amazing contribution to the society and work towards the broader perspective of adding value to the education.
“Educators must be constantly encouraged and frequently reminded that their jobs are important and appreciated and continue to support each other and exchange ideas and strategies to move forward together,’’ she said.
She said that while unveiling the merit award, seven distinguished educators and industry leaders from private sector were selected as committee members, they are:
1) Mrs Yinka Ogunde, CEO Edumark Consult
2) Mrs Funke Amba, Administrator Vivian Fowler Memorial College
3) Mr Bolaji Olagunju CEO, Workforce group
4) Ms Oyindamola Egbeyemi,Director,the Foreshore School
5) Mrs Sherifat Ogboye,Director of Education,District IV(Retired)
6)Mrs Abisola Obasanya ,Director Arc-Lights Foundation for Education
7)Mr Adebisi Adetutu,Regional Manager,Public Sector,Ecobank plc.
The honourable commissioner of Mrs Folashade Adefisayo commended the initiative for setting up the award in a very unique way to honour teachers.
Adefisayo said, `because teachers are professionals who train and teach all professionals in life we are proud of them, they need to be celebrated.
She also said that teachers do their possible best making sure individuals in all ramifications become someone in life.
“You need to know how they manage, encourage and nurture their students with skills and passion, in fact, they are the best,’’ she said.
Mrs Funke Amba, Administrator, Vivian Fowler Memorial College said, `change has come and we represent the change.
She pointed out that nobody can be anybody without education, it means without teachers, the world would not have great leaders and heroes that make us better .