10th March, 2016
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has expressed his administration’s commitment to the implementation of sustainable educational policies that will help to bring out creativity in students, develop their intellectual skills and encourage them to contribute to public discussions on issues around them.
The governor who gave the assurance at the grand finale of the Lagos State Schools debate competition noted that there is the need to introduce into the school curriculum, educational policy that is geared towards helping young ones develop their communication and intellectual skills.
He stated that the annual school debate put in place by the state government is aimed at helping students to gather relevant skills that will develop their mental intelligence and encourage them to be bold enough to contribute to issues and debate about developments around them.
Governor Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, at the Grand Finale of the Lagos State Schools’ Debate, season seven organised by the Ministry of Education, said investing in education was the best way to build a strong foundation for economic success and shared prosperity.
“The intellectual performance of our students in this debate is a proof that the teachers in our public schools are doing well and are justifying government’s huge investment in education and our government will continue to implement policies that can bring out the best in our children, knowing they are our future leaders. As a government, we will continue to be committed to providing the best not only in terms of quality education, but in terms of good and enabling environment for these students to learn and flourish properly,” he said.
Ambode urged the students to be focused and take their education seriously to improve their personality, compete globally and be prepared for future challenges, promising that his administration will not relent in implementing programmes that can help them to attain their full potentials.
In her remarks, Mrs Olabisi Ariyo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, said that the annual schools’ debate was to help develop and improve student’s intellectual capability.
Ariyo said it would also instill in them the confidence that would enable them speak intelligently anywhere as well as increase their communication and research skills.
The School Debate is an annual competition for public senior secondary schools in Lagos.
The Competition which started in 2009 is aimed at improving public speaking skills among students in the state’s schools.
For the individual speaker’s debate category, Miss Islamiat Ogunfowora from Badagry Senior Grammar School, Badagry emerged winner in the category.
Master Olayinka Ajayi and Ogunleye Ayomide of Lagos Progressive Senior Secondary School, Surulere came third and second respectively.
Meanwhile, Badagry Senior Grammar School, Badagry emerged winner, Ogudu Senior Grammar School, Ogudu came second while Lagos Progressive Senior Secondary School, Surulere came third in the school category.