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SCHOOL PREFECTS SUMMIT,OCTOBER,2008 (Report)
JUNIOR CATEGORY
Introduction
The School Prefects Summit was designed to create a platform for the development of leadership capacity of school prefects in order to empower them to meet the challenges facing their school communities while also preparing them for life. We believe in developing school prefects who can maximize their potential and the potential of others, in order to bring about sustainable change and development in the school system.
Participation
The Primary School Category of the programme was attended by 532 prefects and class captains from 38 top rated schools. The following students represented your school:
Welcome Address
Mr. Nelson Ayodele, CEO, SMI welcome the participants to the programme and encouraged them to be of good behaviuor and know that so much responsibility is on them and that they can’t afford to fail.
Keynote Address/Chairperson Speech
The Keynote Address was delivered by Mrs. Tokunbo Doherty, Director, Tomobid School, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos. She challenged the prefects to use the opportunity provided by their position to make a mark in their school and also move on in life to do the same.
Facilitation/Delivery
The facilitators leveraged on their expertise and experience in the management of young people to deliver high quality presentations to the participants. Fundamental concepts as it relates to participants roles in and out of the school were explored. The following were the topics discussed during the programme:
Character Building for School Prefects
The presentation on Character Building for School Prefects was delivered by Olori (Queen) Olanike Ogunleye, Head, Corona School, Apapa, Lagos. She asserted in her presentation to the pupils that “Character is the sum of all qualities that make you who you are. It is your values, your thought, your words, your actions in other words, it is YOU.”
She also shared how to build character using the “Six Pillars of Characters” which are:
• Trustworthiness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Fairness
• Caring
• Citizenship
She encouraged participants to live above board in the area of character as a leader in order to help them succeed now and in the long run in their leadership career.
Managing Study with Leadership
With leadership comes great responsibilities and as such leaders should be conversant with the art of managing their study and their leadership roles and responsibilities through effective strategies and seek for ways to reducing conflicts between the two to the barest minimum.
Mrs. Bisi Arogunmati, Governess, Diamonds Private School, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi gave insights into effective strategies for combining the leadership responsibility with academics. She spoke on the need to carefully manage the following factors in a bid to coming out tops as student leaders.
• Time Management
• Learning Environment
• Learning Style
• Building Relationship
She also encouraged participants to prioritize their activities on a daily and weekly basis in order to be able to maximize their time and succeed as students.
The Effective School Prefect /Scavenger Hunt
Mr. Nelson Ayodele, CEO, SMI rounded up the programme with The Effective School Prefect with an emphasis on relationship building and networking amongst prefects. He later led them through the Scavenger Hunt Activity. The presentation focuses on the main responsibilities of prefects in the school set up. He emphasized the fact that roles and responsibilities varies from school to school but that the four duties that were explored form a major part of what prefects are expected to do at any point in time.
The presentation focuses on the following broad tasks of school prefects
• Maintaining Discipline
• Helping Staff
• Supporting younger pupils
• Organizing Events
Film Viewing
Armed with Hope, the story of John Foppe, an American motivational speaker who was born without hands but went on to succeed in life was shown to the participants. The following learning points were evident in the film.
• We should not give excuses for what we ought to do that we didn’t do.
• There is a need to focus on what we have and not what we don’t have.
• We should also use what we have.
• Determination is critical to success
• Physical Handicap is bad but mental handicap is worse.
Suggestions for School Administrators
The following are some recommendations and suggestions that the school can consider to further enhance the capacity of the prefects and captains that attended this programme.
• The prefects should be continually reminded of the importance of Character in life.
• Learning is the primary task of the students in the school and they must be made to know this. However, the school should constantly work on striking a balance between the academic life of the students and other activities and responsibilities that are placed on the student.
• The school should delegate the prefects some task regularly in order to help build up a sense of belonging and responsibility in them.
• Prefects should be encouraged to constantly appreciate themselves and others around them.
• The school in all her activities should constantly reinforce the truth that leadership is not for bullying but an opportunity to serve others wherever we find ourselves.
• Schools should also reinforce the need for decorum and good manners both in private and public life for their prefects. This will go a long way in helping to achieve a better summit in the future.
• We are of the opinion that the lessons and impact of the summit be made to run through the whole school community and as such we encourage that an in-house version of this unique summit should be packaged for all other students in the school as it has been done by forward-looking schools.
• We encourage that the school introduce democratic election of prefects in order to give a higher sense of commitment and involvement.
Conclusion
We have the responsibility of developing and grooming this crop of young leaders from this tender age and we must see that we adequately groom and prepare them for the task ahead. They represent a generation of young, intelligent and vibrant leaders and we must tap into this potential that they possess to unleash their talent on the world as they prepare for future leadership positions.
Regrets
We had an unexpected surge in attendance because of schools that didn’t register their prefects but showed up on the day of the programme. We had some challenges in the area of entertainment and materials for the programme.
We sincerely apologize to schools that are affected by this. Peradventure students from your school are yet to receive some or all the materials, please do get in touch with us. Thanks for your understanding.
Up-Coming Programmes
Xmas Holiday Tour
Date: 18th-28th December, 2008
Country to be visited: South Africa
Target Audience: Children 8-16 years
Teachers/School Administrators
Families and interested individuals
School Prayer Summit
Date: 2nd January, 2009
Venue: Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos
Educational Leadership Summit & Exhibition
Date: February, 2009
Venue: Sheraton Hotel & Towers
Target Audience: School Owners, Board Members, Directors, Administrators and other stakeholders in the school system.
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SCHOOL PREFECTS SUMMIT,OCTOBER,2008 (REPORT)
SECONDARY CATEGORY
Introduction
The School Prefects Summit was designed to create a platform for the development of leadership capacity of school prefects in order to empower them to meet the challenges facing their school communities while also preparing them for life. We believe in developing school prefects who can maximize their potential and the potential of others, in order to bring about sustainable change and development in the school system.
Participation
The Secondary School Category of the programme was attended by 467 prefects and class captains from 36 top rated schools. Also worthy of mention is the support and contribution of the accompany staff for the programme, especially teachers, they gave us their best and it contributed a great deal to the success of the programme. The following students represented your school:
Welcome Address
Mr. Nelson Ayodele, C. E. O. SMI and the Convener of the summit in his welcome address emphasized the need for good leadership in every sphere and stratum of life for growth and development. He challenged the participants to make a personal commitment to lead in a positive and purposeful way. He thereafter led the participants to take a pledge of commitment to serve. The pledge goes thus:
I commit myself today to be an exceptional leader
I recognize that leadership requires great sacrifice
I will serve to the best of my ability
I will uphold the tenets of democratic leadership by involving others in my leadership role
I will be a good role model to my fellow students
I will dare to be different in a positive and purposeful way
So help me God.
Facilitation/Delivery
The facilitators leveraged on their expertise and experience in the management of young people to deliver high quality presentations to the participants. Fundamental concepts as it relates to participants roles in and out of the school were explored. The following were the topics discussed during the programme:
Visionary Leadership
Dr. (Mrs) Maggie Ibru, Founder, ST&T Regency School, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos delivered the paper on Visionary Leadership for school Prefects with great passion. She enjoined the prefects to dream and form in their mind a better picture of the future both for themselves, school and the nation. She opines that personal success is not enough, she however encourage the prefects to look at what they can contribute to the development of the nation Nigeria.
She went further to talk about great leaders with vision like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Obafemi Awolowo, Kwame Nkrumah etc who had visions and led their people towards the attainment of that vision.She further went down memory lane to share from her experience in school in the area of leadership and character building.
Managing Study with Leadership
Leadership comes with great responsibilities and as such leaders should be conversant with the art of managing their study and their leadership roles and responsibilities through effective strategies and seek for ways of reducing conflicts between the two to the barest minimum.
Mr. Yomi Oloko, CEO, Conflict & Change Solutions, UK gave insights into effective strategies for combining the leadership responsibility with academics. In the larger picture he challenged the future leaders to be interested in the development of the nature and that they should channel their energy in a positive direction towards nation building.
He also encouraged participants to be positive and act positively as citizens of the country wherever they find themselves and to prioritize their activities on a daily and weekly basis in order to be able to maximize their time and succeed as students.
Myself the Leader
The presentation on “Myself the Leader” was by Mr. William Pope, Principal, Grange School, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. He spoke on the need to get it right in the area of personal leadership before influencing others as a leader.
He addressed critical issues that are related to personal leadership, by giving tips and examples on ways to develop successful self-leadership. He addressed the following areas with several tips and lessons for the young leaders.
• Types of Leaders
• Time Management
• Personal Particulars
• Leadership
• Effective Speaking
• Communication Barriers
• Commandments of Good Communication
The Effective School Prefect /Scavenger Hunt
Mr. Nelson Ayodele, CEO, SMI rounded up the programme with The Effective School Prefect with an emphasis on relationship building and networking amongst prefects. He later led them through the Scavenger Hunt Activity. The presentation focuses on the main responsibilities of prefects in the school set up. He emphasized the fact that roles and responsibilities varies from school to school but that the four duties that were explored form a major part of what prefects are expected to do at any point in time.
The presentation focuses on the following broad tasks of school prefects
• Maintaining Discipline
• Helping Staff
• Supporting younger pupils
• Organizing Events
Team Building
The “Tower Building Activity” was the climax of activities for the day with the participants being divided into various groups. They were give old newspapers as materials to build a tall and strong tower. This activity is meant to help the prefects learn to work in a team and it underscored the need to work closely with others in the team to achieve stated objectives. The exercise generated a lot of excitement as different groups work assiduously among themselves to build a tower that is both tall and strong in order to beat the other groups.
Suggestions for School Administrators
The following are some recommendations and suggestions the school can consider to further enhance the capacity of the prefects and captains that attended this programme.
• Character is the bedrock of a successful leadership life and as such the school should continually reinforce sound character building to the students at all times.
• Learning is the primary task of the students in the school and they must be made to know this. However, the school should constantly work on striking a balance between the academic life of the students and other activities and responsibilities that are placed on the student.
• The school community should be organized in a way that the students-leaders share in the responsibilities for managing the school. This will help students to learn in a practical way the principles of citizenship, co-operative living and democratic organization.
• Leaders who succeed or make an impact in their sphere of influence are good managers of themselves. They are conversant with their own self as it relates to strengths and weakness and are not tied to running other peoples race. Student-leaders must be constantly encouraged to appreciate their own uniqueness and the uniqueness of others around them. Each must appreciate one another and see themselves as an important aspect of their school community.
• The school in all her activities should constantly reinforce the truth that leadership is not for bullying but an opportunity to serve others wherever we find ourselves. Leadership though challenging must also be made to be fun. Student-leaders must be made to realize that leadership can only be fun when it is used as an avenue for service and fostering the good of their fellow students in the school system and mankind in the larger society.
• Schools should also reinforce the need for decorum and good manners both in private and public life for their prefects. This will go a long way in helping to achieve a better summit in the future.
• For prior effective planning we will appreciate if your school could register for the summit at least one week before the programme. It is our utmost desire to adequately satisfy participants in our programmes but if we are not notified of attendance we may find it difficult to satisfy late entrants.
• We are of the opinion that the lessons and impact of the summit be made to run through the whole school community and as such we encourage that an in-house version of this unique summit should be packaged for all other students in the school as it has been done by forward-looking schools.
• The introduction of democratic election of prefect is highly imperative if your school is yet to introduce it. This will give your students a higher sense of commitment and involvement in the development of the school.
• An in-house leadership forum can be organized to include other student leaders like the Club leaders, house captains and assistant class captains.
Conclusion
The task of developing and grooming this crop of young leaders must be a continuous exercise. The school as the shaper and molder of their future should continually strive to expose this young ones to leadership training and exercise as they discharge their duties as prefects and prepare for their spheres of influence in life.
Up-Coming Programmes
Xmas Holiday Tour
Date: 18th-28th December, 2008
Country to be visited: South Africa
Target Audience: Children 8-16 years
Teachers/School Administrators
Families and interested individuals
School Prayer Summit
Date: 2nd January, 2009
Venue: Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Lagos
Educational Leadership Summit & Exhibition
Date: 2nd & 3rd February, 2009
Venue: Sheraton Hotel & Towers
Target Audience: School Owners, Board Members, Directors, Administrators and other stakeholders in the school system.
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EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT & EXHIBITION REPORT(4TH-5TH FEBRUARY, 2008)
VENUE: SHERATON HOTELS & TOWERS, LAGOS STATE.
PREAMBLE
Sequel to the successful hosing of this year 2008 edition of the Educational Leadership Summit & Exhibition (ELSE), we want to make available to you for consideration and eventual implementation the suggestions that were made and the key results areas that we think you should bear in mind in the process of achieving an educational system with a difference with reference to the strategies that we employ, options that we choose and our delivery models.
Welcome Address
Mr. Nelson Ayodele, CEO, SMI in his welcome address to the participants stated that the theme of the summit “Education with a difference: Strategies, Options, Delivery” is specifically aimed at school improvement .He stated that “school improvement ought to be a systematic, sustained effort aimed at changing the learning conditions with the ultimate aim of accomplishing educational goals more effectively”.
He stressed “that tough markets demands sound, reliable strategic advice which is why SMI has always been bringing together the best minds in the educational sector to offer the best ideas, strategies and options on school management and administration”
Keynote Address
The keynote address was delivered by the Chairperson of the summit, Chief (Mrs) Leila Fowler, Director, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls. Drawing from the theme of the summit Education with a Difference: Strategies, Options and Delivery, she opined that it would be most welcome and even celebrated if our education industry could rise above the pedestrian level it is right now to a level where the international community would not have to question our certificates.
Chief (Mrs) Leila Fowler also talked about the modern trends in education and implored education providers in Nigeria not to be short-sighted .In her words, “local providers of education are expected to develop programmes that embody all the three domains espoused by Bloom and his associates in the Taxonomy of Educational Objectives i.e. the cognitive, the affective and the psychomotor”
She stressed that for universality and global relevance we should take note of the following:
• The growing concern for the fallen standard in our educational institutions products as observed by businesses, industries, school administrators, government, parents and other employers of labour. She said it will be in the best interest of all that there should be an increase in graduation requirements (minimum competencies), rigorous teacher certification and re-certification and provision of up-to-date instructional materials in our schools.
• There should be a radical departure from our teaching methods. She suggests we drop the teaching and testing methodology and in its place create engaging learning environments in which interactive hands-on learning tasks prevail.
• There ought to be a renewed emphasis in Mathematics, Science and Technology, especially in the primary and secondary school curricula. This should be supported with a generous use of electronic information systems and multimedia technology.
Participation/Facilitation
All participants actively contributed useful inputs in the various discourse at the summit. Participants had an opportunity to share thoughts and interact with highly professional resource personalities and other stakeholders in the school system.
A total number of 135 school owners and administrators from 80 schools both within and outside Lagos attended the summit.
Paper Presentations
The first paper of the summit titled “Options for Teachers Empowerment: A Social and Human Capital Development Perspective” was presented by the MD/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Akinsola Akinfemiwa.
He defined empowerment as “involving delegation of responsibility and the encouragement of innovation”. He said teacher empowerment is the process of enabling individuals to adopt new behaviours that further their individual aspirations and those of their schools.
The presentation also addresses some symptoms of a disempowering organizational culture which are as follows:
• Mentality of pushing blames and victimization
• Fear of making decisions
• Lack of participation in decision making
• Unseriousness in adopting new ideas
• Leaders versus employees’ mindset
• Distrust and cynicism
• Apathy
• Fear of repercussion from feelings or thoughts expressed
• Lack of learning and growth opportunities/ pursuance of such
opportunities where available
• Lack of appreciation
• Lack of recognition for contributions
• Bad work environment that leads to top talents leaving for better
opportunities
Helping our Teachers-He offered the following few tips on what needs to be done to get the best out of teachers who will be committed to giving their best efforts to our educational system.
• Holistic training and development programs
• Mentoring and understudy programs
• Good remuneration and incentives package
• Opportunity for work-life balance
• Uphold the teachers’ dignity
• Grooming and personality development
• Excellent work environment
• Exposure to information technology
• Opportunity for career development
• Flexible work time
• Growth prospects
• Access to professional development resources
• Instructional support
• International exposure.
He concluded his presentation by saying: “The answer is for all of us to come together and provide the necessary tools for a better learning and teaching environment. The importance of teacher empowerment can not be over emphasized. We must all join hands to help and encourage our administrators of the educational sector to adopt new behaviours that further their individual aspirations and those of their students and the schools”
The Lead Discussant for the day, Mr. Kaoli Olusanya, Chief Learning Officer, Kith & Kin Educational Schools, Ikorodu, Lagos contributed to the paper. He stated that “today, most of our schools are “learning impaired” because they teach compliance, resentment, demotivation and repression with bureaucratic and hierarchical structures”. He said that schools today face a unique set of pressures unknown to most other organizations. The pressures driving change in our school system are:
• Social Changes
• Technological Changes
• Quality of Teachers
• Government Initiatives
• Budget Constraint
• Pupils Assessment
He strongly advocated the establishment of a school leadership college that is synomymous with the National College for School Leadership in the UK to address the management and leadership skills gap in the school system in Nigeria in order to build capacity for handling some multiple concerns and meet the expectations of the evolving society.
He stated that the goal of the school is to see every child in a well led school, every leader a leaner. H e canvassed a study of the relevance of the British model for adaptation to our situation. Quoting him” One of the faculties of such an institution will be to run courses for prospective school heads, principals and other school leadership team. The certification of such an institution shall be a national pre-requisite qualification in addition to university qualification and years of experience as classroom teacher to qualify as school leader in Nigeria”
The second paper of the summit Strategic Foundation for Lifetime Learning: The Montessori Option was presented by Mrs. Adebola Atoyebi, Director, Heritage House. She examined why the Montessori Method qualify as a framework for lifetime learning with the following positions.
• The method is based on how children develop and learn.
• The method allows children to learn through understanding rather than simply
being fed with information.
• It instills in the child values and qualities such as independence, patience, tolerance, respect for others, confidence and a positive self-esteem among others
• The Montessori method helps the child work towards thinking, creativity and active participation in the classroom environment and even outside it. The child is encouraged to explore, discover, analyze, decide, suggest and plan.
• The child is active while the adult in the classroom aims to gradually become passive so as to help the child maximize his potentials.
• The Activities are carried out with carefully designed didactic materials which are self correcting.
• The curriculum is broad and includes subject areas like Geography, History, Botany (study of plants), Zoology (study of animals), Cultural (the child’s and others), all taught in a fun and interesting way using concrete materials.
• Sensorial Education is exclusive to the Montessori Method and it aims at developing the intellect of the child.
• The Materials prepare the child for future academic work in every subject area. The child gets an understanding of concepts through the use of concrete materials (what he can see, touch, manipulate, etc.) which are graded in levels of complexity, beginning with the simple and proceeding to the complex.
• The child works from a concrete base and not an abstract one. This
is particularly useful to the child in understanding subjects like Mathematics and Language which are thought to be abstract subjects. All these elements together provide the child with the necessary foundation for future learning,
• The Montessori Method increases the child’s capacity to accommodate new information and also equips the child with the tools required for decoding and manipulating information in the future.
• Discipline is central to the Montessori approach, particularly self-discipline. This goes hand-in-hand with freedom.
She summarily posit that the
• Montessori approach views every child as uniquely endowed
• With individualized learning, isolation of difficulty, manipulative materials and a strong emphasis on connection between language and experience, every child can be helped
• Development is centred on the child and not on subjects; it is the entire personality of the child that is focused on.
• The teacher is trained for this orientation
• The pedagogy is designed for it
• The child benefits from a process which is natural and gradual and embodies the right mix of freedom and discipline.
Mr. Gbenro Adegbola, MD, Evans Brothers Publishers Nigeria presented the third paper of the summit which is the last for the first day, titled Driving Change through Information and Communication Technology
Information and communication technology (IT) is becoming more of a principal component of daily operations in many sectors of our economy. As leaders of our organisations we have to make the transition into the information age even if we are not part of the IT generation.
What is important at the school leadership level is not so much our hands-on IT skills but our attitude towards IT. We should be ‘IT believers’ at least if we can’t be ‘IT literates’.
Areas of possible IT application in our schools.
• Administration; accounts, staff records and pay roll administration, asset management etc.
• Customer Relations Management and Public Communication; e-mail shots to parents, periodic newsletters etc.
• Teaching Aid/Teaching Resource.
Strategies for creating an IT environment
• Get sound advice and use that to formulate your strategies for being information age compliant.
• Invest in IT- Computer lab, Central server, Projectors, magic interactive boards etc
• Invest in an IT Manager who can double as computer teacher, organise training for teachers and assist teachers with creating teaching resources.
The school and learning environment of the IT generation cannot do without IT.
Day 2
Chairperson’s Address
The second day started on a good note with a challenge from the Chairperson of the day, Mrs. A. A. Adamolekun, Director, Supreme Education Foundation School, Magodo, Lagos. She harped on the need to raise the delivery standard in our schools. She stressed that excellence requires continuous departure from the past and an embrace of the future for our school to be relevant in the 21st century.
The Executive Director, Corona School Trust Council, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo presented the first paper of the second day of the summit with the title Best Operational Practices for School Management.
Key Points
• School should needs to build institutions that will outlive them and just not egos that will fade in small time.
• The main task of any school is to provide education.
• The main task of a good school is not to provide just any education but top quality education.
• This requires that we build institutions i.e. sustainable schools that meet the needs and expectations of children, parents, staff, the community and their owners.
She further suggested the following model for building a school that can become an institution.
• Develop your strategy - Schools must have a purpose and a meaning that defines their existence. This is the STRATEGY of the school
• Translate your strategy - Translate your strategy into the major themes you wish to focus on
• Plan Operations School processes or activities can be grouped into two broad areas:
Primary activities - The schools activities in providing education such as Admissions, Standards and Assessments, Teaching and Learning, Results and Outcomes, Branding & Customer Services.
Support functions (operations) - Other activities that support the primary activities and ensure that the school is able to achieve its goals such as Corporate Governance, Human Resources Management, Business Management, Technology, Infrastructures, Resources & Facilities.
• Monitor and Learn - In a good school, there is continuous monitoring of teachers in the classroom.
• Test and adapt your strategy-Periodic self appraisal through questionnaires administered to stakeholders – staff, parents
The paper further gave insights on how a school can provide top quality education. The three main areas are as follows:
Getting the right teachers
• Clearly stated teacher standards
• Recruitment procedures
• HR Management policies – salary, conditions of service, orientation, etc
Developing teachers to be effective instructors
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Clearly stated teaching standards
• Varied instructional methodologies
• Classroom monitoring
• Availability of resources and facilities
• Appraisal, mentoring
Ensuring that the system works for each child
• Curriculum – depth, breadth, relevance
• High expectations for each child
• Parent-home relationships
• Reaching out to all stakeholders
• Administration
• Governance
The paper titled Leadership and Motivation: Strategic Tools for managing the school’s workforce was presented by Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, MFR- Chairman, The Bells Educational Services Limited & Executive Director, Africa Leadership Forum.
He started by attempting some conceptual clarifications with the definition of the two key words in the topic, Motivation and Leadership and he submits as follows:
• Motivation - motive (or motivation) as a need, want, interest, or desire that propels someone (or an organism) in a certain direction.
• Leadership means influencing the community to follow the leader’s vision
• Leadership means influencing the community to face its problems and resolve that problem
The paper stressed that managers must get things done through employees. An understanding of the complex nature of human being is crucial if the manager is to be effective and to exercise leadership
There is usually a gap between the level of your employee and where you want them to be. Your role as a manager is to bridge that gap through motivation.Teachers must be motivated to on their own give the best that is embedded in them, skills and ability to go beyond the call of duty and show demonstrable commitment.
Some basic Considerations in the art of motivation are as follows:
• Positive reinforcement/high expectations
• Effective discipline and punishment
• Treating people fairly
• Satisfying employee needs
• Setting work related goals
• Restructuring jobs
• Base rewards on job performance
He submits by saying Value based Leadership is the key. He further posits that “the first milestone of leadership is clarity of values. Different schools have different values. People work better in communities built on clear shared values. It will be cumbersome and fruitless to manage a school without shared values. If you want a productive and efficient workforce work and live by shared values”
He said shared values will:
• Foster strong feelings of personal effectiveness
• Promote high Levels of loyalty
• Facilitate consensus about key goals and stakeholders
• Encourage ethical behaviour
• Promote strong norms and hard work and caring
• Reduce stress and tension
• Foster pride
• Facilitate understanding about job expectations
• Foster teamwork and espirit de corps
Other Suggestions and Recommendations
• Strategic investment in Information Technology is key to school growth and development and as such we need to take it serious.
• The issues of corporate governance cannot be over-emphasized. Schools should endeavour to build institutions that will outlive the owner(s) by constituting active and dedicated boards for their schools.
• The curriculum of a school is what separates it from others. It is one of the things that distinguish a school. Curriculum should have depth, breadth and be relevant to the need of the child and the society.
• Motivation is key to optimum performance. School owners and managers should constantly work on the school’s motivation strategy inorder to help staff give and achieve more.
• Training and development are critical to the success of a school. Teachers’ capacity can only be fully tapped through adequate and constant training that can help them fully release their innate abilities. Schools can carry out skills analysis within the system and through gap analysis determine the present level of skills and the level that will be required in the future
• The environment is also a critical factor for success in any business endeavour. It is imperative for school leaders and managers to do an environment scanning of the environment in which they operate in order to review its operations and see where changes are needed for the future.
Upcoming Programmes
Programme Date & Venue Target
Motivation Impact March 2008/Main Aud. Final year SS3/Year 12
students Seminar University of Lagos
Teachers Motivation March 2008/ Teachers, Academic Power Summit Muson Centre Coordinators etc
Young Leaders Retreat April/Supreme Education Students Age 8-16
Foundation School,
Magodo,Lagos
Lagos City 1st May,2008/Sheraton PTA Executives,
Parents Conference Hotel & Towers, Lagos Parents/Guardians
Exhibitors
Please find below the list of the exhibitors and their contacts. Feel free to get in touch with them if there is any
S/N Organization Product/Services Contact
1. Skye Bank Plc Financial Services Jumoke Odusami
Retail Banking,Plot 708/709,
AdeolaHopewell Street, Victoria
Island Lagos
01-2705848, 0802-322-0758
2. Evans Brothers Educational Book Bola Oyefeso,
Publishers Nigeria Publishing & Sales Jericho Road, Ibadan
0803-328-8081
3. MWEB Africa V-SAT Sales & Muyiwa Esomojumi
Internet Services Plot 1739,Tiamiyu Savage St.
Victoria Island
0802-317-8741, 01-2709999
4. School Write School Operations Fatai Odunjo
Software 15,Ogunnaike Street
Shangisha-Magodo, Lagos
0803-724-0134, 0805-704-3213
5. New Horizons Information Technology Tim Akano
Training 5, Babalola Close
Off Obafemi Awolowo way, Ikeja.
01-7901013, 8976386
info@newhorizonsnigeria.com
www.newhorizonsnigeria.com
6. Education Resorts Phonetics Learning Chris Nkwocha
International Resources
7. School Mart Educational Items Mrs. O. A. Olunuga
(Teaching Aids, Books etc) 77, Adeniyi Jones Avenue Ikeja.
01-8197108, 0805 476 8486
theschoolmart@yahoo.co.uk
8. Soams Creative Oyindamola Sonola
11, Bisi Ogabi Street, Ikeja, Lagos
9. Cognitive Solution Interactive Learning Kola Young
Resources 0803 301 5827
10. Speedview Printing & Branding Femi Ajibola
Communications Services Industrial Avenue Ilupeju, Lagos
0805 361 2634
11. Sycamore Learning Interactive Whiteboard Kenny Omojola
(Sales & Training) 6, Adeleke Street, off Allen
Avenue Ikeja. 0802 301 0293,
sycamorelearning@yahoo.co.uk
12. Standard Book Sales& Kemi Ayodele
Educational Bookhouse Library Services 8,Olufunmilayo Street,
Dideolu Estate, Ogba, Ikeja,
Lagos
01-7936352, 0803 721 1711
13. Codezyner Solutions Website Designing, Tunde Faniran
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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SUMMIT, March, 2008(REPORT)
Introduction
Effective school improvement requires whole school processes aiming to enhance the quality of instruction in classrooms as individual teachers cannot on their own alone promote lasting changes needed for building a world-class educated institution.
The Abuja International School Improvement Summit (ISIS 2008) recognizes the fact that improving schools seem to have in common the following:
• A proactive and shared approach to planning
• An ethos or culture that favours improvement
• Leadership throughout the school which focuses on the quality of teaching and learning, promoting and facilitating professional discussions around improvement.
• Specific interventions to boost examination performance
Participation/Facilitation
Participants actively contributed useful inputs in the various discourse at the summit. Participants had an opportunity to share thoughts and interact with highly professional resource personalities and other stakeholders in the school system.
A total number of 70 school owners and administrators from 46 schools both within and outside Abuja attended the summit.
Welcome Address
Mr. Nelson Ayodele, CEO,SMI in his welcome address said that it is imperative to know that, to be our best, we can—and must—learn how to minimize our behavioural constraints as educational leaders while maximizing our strengths because real success demands more than talent and ability. In his words,”we determine the success level of our schools and whatever school improvement and effectiveness effort that we embark upon as leaders. It is critical for us to overcome this challenges and constraints if we will succeed in our roles as school leaders”.
Keynote Address
The Keynote Address of the summit Value Based Leadership in The Management of Educational Institutions was delivered by the Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale (MFR), Chairman, The Bells Educational Services Limited.
He harped on the need for the return of Values into the moral fibre of the Nigerian society especially the school system starting from the leaders. He stated that “Values are a strong, enduring element of corporate culture in the business world today. Simply stated, values are a company’s explicit commitment to do the right thing – or more formally, “values are a corporation’s institutional standards of behaviour” – the code of conduct that should be embodied consistently in corporate activity by all members. Values endure over time – as ideals, in institutions, and through leaders. Values represent ideas and ideals for the ages, values are hallmarks of enduring institutions, and leaders embody, project, and guard values.”
The Chairman further stressed that “Values are an organization’s treasure. It must be nurtured for building an ethical organizational culture.” He listed the roles of values as follows
• Foster strong feelings of personal effectiveness
• Promote high Levels of loyalty
• Facilitate consensus about key goals and stakeholders
• Encourage ethical behaviour
• Promote strong norms and hard work and caring
• Reduce stress and tension
• Foster pride
• Facilitate understanding about job expectations
• Foster teamwork and espirit de corps
• Values will help in confronting difficult situations
• Values will guide all policies and processes
He summarily stated that “educational institutions must be built around values and those values must be clearly defined and articulated. Those values must be effectively communicated to students, parents, and staff. Managers of schools must strive at all times to bring out the leader in all the staff. Leadership is every one’s business. Leadership in the school system must be based on shared values.”
Paper Presentations
The Executive Director, Corona School Trust Council, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo presented the first paper of the summit with the title Best Operational Practices for School Management -The Corona Experience.
Key Points
• Schools need to build institutions that will outlive them and just not egos that will fade in small time.
• The main task of any school is to provide education.
• The main task of a good school is not to provide just any education but top quality education
• This requires that we build institutions i.e. sustainable schools that meet the needs and expectations of children, parents, staff, the community and their owners
She further suggested the following model for building a school that can become an institution.
• Develop your strategy - Schools must have a purpose and a meaning that defines their existence. This is the STRATEGY of the school
• Translate your strategy - Translate your strategy into the major themes you wish to focus on
• Plan Operations School processes or activities can be grouped into two broad areas:
Primary activities - The schools activities in providing education such as Admissions, Standards and Assessments, Teaching and Learning, Results and Outcomes, Branding & Customer Services.
Support functions (operations) - Other activities that support the primary activities and ensure that the school is able to achieve its goals such as Corporate Governance, Human Resources Management, Business Management, Technology, Infrastructures, Resources & Facilities.
• Monitor and Learn - In a good school, there is continuous monitoring of teachers in the classroom.
• Test and adapt your strategy-Periodic self appraisal through questionnaires administered to stakeholders – staff, parents
The paper further gave insights on how a school can provide top quality education. The three main areas are as follows:
Getting the right teachers
• Clearly stated teacher standards
• Recruitment procedures
• HR Management policies – salary, conditions of service, orientation, etc
Developing teachers to be effective instructors
• Opportunities for professional development and training
• Clearly stated teaching standards
• Varied instructional methodologies
• Classroom monitoring
• Availability of resources and facilities
• Appraisal, mentoring
Ensuring that the system works for each child
• Curriculum – depth, breadth, relevance
• High expectations for each child
• Parent-home relationships
• Reaching out to all stakeholders
• Administration
• Governance
Rev. Cannon O. T. Adesokan of the Directorate of Education, Anglican Diocese, Abuja contributed to the first paper. He emphasized on the need to develop processes that aim to enhance the quality of teaching-learning activities in Schools which promotes good standard, achieving result and building a world-class school.
He further stated factors that enhance the process of education as follows:
• Suitable environment
• Trained Leadership
• Good remuneration
• Funding
• Spiritual environment
Mrs. Barbara Fawcett, the Head of School, Lagos Preparatory School, Ikoyi, Lagos presented the paper titled Human Resource Management for School Improvement.
Key Points
• Every school improvement effort requires an effective management of Time, Task, Resources and Staff
• Time can be used systematically, with fluidity and creatively to achieve the required results
• School Effectiveness and Improvement also requires that tasks that needs to be accomplished in the school be broken into Short (what needs to be achieved this week), Medium (what needs to be achieved this month) and Long term ( what needs to be achieved this year or next year)
• The human resource management task requires the teaching staff be thoroughly monitored through Lesson Observations, Performance Management, Line Management, Personal Contact and Knowledge
• School Effectiveness and Improvement efforts success based on the Training and Development of the staff both teaching and non-teaching
• Improving a school also requires good handling of Parents and Directors through close links, Collaborative communication, Professionalism, high expectations and mutual respect
Other tasks area that needs to be improved includes the following:
• Institutional Development-Marketing the school, Recruitment, Resources
• Finance-Budget and expenditure, Requisitions, Salaries, Rent
• Infrastructure-Buildings, Furniture, Hardware, Vehicles
Mr. Nelson Ayodele, CEO, Standard Mandate International took the session on The Reengineering Option for School Improvement. He leveraged on his expertise and experience in handling different Reengineering and School Improvement project for several high profile educational institutions around the country.
The paper focused on the changes within the educational system and its implications on all stakeholders. He emphasised the fact that schools will remain relevant will need to change and continually improve in order to maintain service standards through periodic and systematic evaluation of its processes and systems. The success and effectiveness of the reengineering is hinged on the following:
• Vision & Mission Statement-It is imperative that schools that will succeed in the 21st century have clearly defined vision and mission statements. This will be the guiding force for all decisions that will be made in the school.
• Leadership- Effective leadership is essential to the development and continuous improvement of any school. School leaders need to develop the capacity to challenge the orthodoxy in the school and initiate dramatic changes that will equip them to cope with future challenges.
• High Academic Standards-Successful schools noticeably records High academic standards. High academic standards describe what students are expected to know and be able to do. High standards in each subject are the foundation for academic success.
• Professional Development-Professional development is a continuous learning process across all levels in the school system. Quality professional development expands the capacity of the learning community to realize its vision and reach its goals.
Suggestions & Recommendations
• Action Learning Points in each of the presentations should be complied and actions be taken on them to help all School Improvement and Effectiveness efforts.
• Participants can make photocopies of the conference materials for other administrators and senior personnel in the school for them to read through so as improve the standard in our schools.
• The content of the summit should also be presented to those who did not attend in a seminar form in the school in order to effective spread the knowledge within the school.
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ISIS 2008 DELEGATES LIST
1 Africa International College Adelakun Ruth Tinuola
2 Africa International College Otuechere Joy Okwuchi
3 All About Kids Opasi Emem
4 Baliz School Trust Bakari Aisha Inok
5 Bankys Private School Bankole Olusola Oyinlola
6 Boshen International School John Praise Jerry
7 BountyPress LTD Ajagbe Olayinka Adegbola
8 Capville Schools Iheama Peace Urunma
9 Christabel Private School Mokuolu Abosede Oluyemisi
10 Citi British Nigerian International School Ukachukwu Nnenna Millicent
11 Corona Schools Trust Council Ebo Ngozi
12 Corona Schools Trust Council Segun Omolara Margaret
13 Danbo International Schools Ajakaiye Olayemi Samuel
14 Danbo International Schools Akinrinde Babatunde Bolaji
15 Divine Mercy Secondary School Ogbeh Regina
16 Esteem International School Sani Mariya Sirajo
17 Esteem International School Bukar Musa Sani
18 Funtaj International School Ibrahim Adefunke Modinat
19 Funtaj International School Osamor Irene Joyce
20 Funtaj International School (Nur/Pri) Onike Florence Funke
21 Glisten International School Godwill Prisca Azuka
22 Glisten International School Jibir Samira
23 Glory International School Okwuenu Dorothy Ngozi
24 God’s Heritage Academy Yoloye Oyekunle Olufemi
25 Grace Garden International School Idoze Ola Idoze
26 Grace Garden International School Aimuan Ruth .I
27 Great Heights Academy Namtari Rabi. H.A
28 Great Heights Academy Olanrewaju Dauda Ayinde
29 Great Heights Academy Yusuf Mohammed Othman
30 Great Heights Academy Odike Simon Manenwojo
31 Heritage Academy Okorafor Spencer
32 Heritage Academy Neliaku Ogechukwu
33 Jewel Model School Utulu Chrisopher Diba
34 Ladela Secondary School Buchie Yaw Yiadom
35 Lakeland School Osarumwense Angela
36 Lead British International School Adamu Angela Egbi
37 Manor School Oshikanlu Seyi
38 Mercyland International School Onoh Ngozi
39 National Association of Propritors of Privates Schools Otegbade Justus Olalere
40 New Foundation Nur/ Pri School Akukwe Eucharia Nwakaego
41 Nurul Bayan International Academy. Tahan Maryam
42 Nurul Bayan International Academy. Siddiqui Mohammad Hashim
43 Nurul Bayan International Academy. Aboi Hassan Amos
45 Olumawu Basic Educational School Bello Mosunmola Sidikat
46 Omil International School Akinlabi Gboyega Daniel
47 Overcomers School Ayegbusi Susan Motunrayo
48 Pinky and The Brain Nursery & Primary School Usaman Juliana Adoyi
49 PlayHouse Daycare Gumel Aisha Ahmed
50 Premiere International School. Oyetunmibi Sara Tokunbo
51 Premiere International School. Ajayi Constance Omoremime
52 Solid Fundamentals Montessori AcademyObaigbona Mmayen Emmanuel
53 Start-Rite Nur/ Pry School Ndoma-Egba Amaka Lauretta
54 The Sultana School Hamidu Maryam
55 The Siloam School Utsalo Dupe Ehi
56 The Caregiver Haruna Opeyemi
57 The DaySpring Creche Nur & Pri School/ College Babade Foluke Abiodun
58 The Hillside School Ume Nnenna
59 The Osebi School Kayode Theresa Olayinka
60 Toddlers Haven & Junior Heights Dosunmu Olubukola Sarah
61 Treasure House Montessori School Oyefeko Fidelia Isi
62 Tophill Nur/ Pri & Junior Sec. School Nomhwange Nguzan Catherine
63 Trinitate International School Obi Flora Adeze
64 Trinitate International School Obafemi Paul Ojo
65 Unity Montessori Nur/ Pri School Akanni Olufemi Adepeju
66 Unity Montessori Nur/ Pri School Yohanna Bamaiyi Vwamduhur
67 Unity Montessori Nur/ Pri School Balogun Olufunmike Deborah
68 Unity Montessori Nur/ Pri School Olabode Ajibola Yetunde
69 Unity Montessori Nur/ Pri School Olarewaju Oluwasanni Timothy
70 Unity Montessori Nur/ Pri School Aledare Olorunsogo Emmanuel
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INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT SUMMIT(ISIS)2009 REPORT
DATE:12TH FEBRUARY, 2009
VENUE:LADI KWALI CONFERENCE CENTRE, SHERATON HOTEL, ABUJA
Introduction
In attempt to reform the educational system to meet up with the changing nature of the learning environment, several initiatives have been embarked upon aiming at school improvement and effectiveness systems to raise levels of student learning and achievement. Sustainable improvement remains the avenue by which educational institutions can effectively run and provide world-class education and remain relevant in an ever changing world.
Standard Mandate International (SMI) is an educational support service firm with the initiative to probe into developmental challenges of privates schools with the aim of providing time tested solutions to this challenges.SMI has consistently challenged schools to offer qualitative service by embracing best operational practices in the sector.
The International School Improvement Summit (ISIS) 2009 held 12th February, 2009 at Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel and Tower, Abuja was a resounding success. Drawing 62 participants from 50 schools within and outside Abuja.
The cooperation of the Secretariat of Education, FCT Abuja contributed immensely to the success of the summit. The Secretary of Education, Alhaji Halilu Pai was duly represented by the Director, Education Resource Centre, Dr. Aina and the Director, Policy and Implementation, Education Secretariat; Mrs. Rosemary Umana was also on hand to make the lead presentation at the summit.
Highlights of the Summit
The summit delivery was done in two major segments consisting of the following:
• Keynote Address by the Secretary of Education, Alhaji Halilu Pai represented by Director, Education Resource Centre, Dr. Aina.
• Paper presentation by Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, Executive Director, Corona Schools Trust Council on Whole Educational System Reform.
• Sustainable School Improvement and Effectiveness: The FCT Challenge by Mrs. Rosemary Umana
• A roundtable session where participants were divided into six groups to address critical issues relating to school improvement and school operational efficiencies.
Presentation Recap
Keynote Address
Alhaji Hussain Pai, Secretary for Education, who was represented by Dr. Aina, Director, Education Resource Centre, Abuja in his Keynote Address reiterate the secretariat commitment to standards in the school system of the FCT. He said “Pertinently, in the FCT minimum standards are taken seriously. Window dressing and use of mercenaries are frowned at during accreditation/inspection in our schools. In fact, we shall not hesitate to close down any school that is not operating within the minimum standard. It is important to note that no matter how high the standard of a school, there is always room for improvement in the area of staffing, infrastructure, curriculum and support services.
He further said that “for improvement and effectiveness to be sustained in a school, the following factors should be ensured: good organization/administration, community participation, innovative thinking, capacity development, discipline and provision of standard infrastructures. To achieve this, adequate funding and commitment are required. Education is a capital intensive venture”
Whole Educational System Reform
The first presentation on Whole Educational System Reform was delivered by Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, Executive Director, Corona Schools Trust Council. She challenged participants to rethinking the essence of schools in order to properly contextualize reforms.
She offered the following as essential keys to effective schools and effective teaching:
Keys to effective schools
• A strong head of school who is an instructional leader as well as an administrator, who involves staff, students, parents and the community in the school
• Committed and skilled teaching staff that parents can identify with and who they can confidently repose their children’s education and care to
• A professional learning environment that emphasizes collegiality, continuous learning and long life learning
• Clearly stated guided philosophy, vision, goals and objectives that address the school as a learning environment in which all stakeholders learn. This philosophy must have the buy in of all members of the school community
• High expectations for all students – all students are expected to achieve their full potential and the school provides the means for them to do so
• Emphasis on academics and good academic performance
• A carefully planned curriculum that covers planned standards, testing and evaluation strategies which emphasis varied instructional strategies
• Facilities and resources to support learning and teaching
• Parents that are committed to their children's learning and that are involved in their children’s education
• Ownership that insists on professionalism, accountability, transparency and results.
Keys to effective teaching
• Commitment and passion for the job
• Being a role model for the children
• Skillful and knowledgeable
• Possesses a diversity of instructional methodologies
• Supports student in their personal learning and development
• Collegial – supporting and helping other members of the community
• Multi skilled and talented
• Understands the requirements for successful living in the 21st century
• Willing to experiment and not bound by traditional disciplinary approach to learning
She further said that reform - seeks to improve school performance by simultaneously aligning all aspects of a school's environment with a central, guiding vision.
Sustainable School Improvement and Effectiveness: The FCT Challenge
Drawing from her experience as a regulator of repute, Mrs. R.E. Umana gave a background of the educational reform policies with emphasis on Nigeria. She said
“the education industry throughout the world, with particular reference to Nigeria, is replete with several policy reforms and innovations directed at school improvement and effectiveness. That in itself is the natural outcome of the dynamism of education and society. With continuous changes in the needs, goals, economic, social, technological and national indices, education is put under pressure to respond to these changes. Unfortunately, most of the changes are further pressured politically to assume different degrees of relevance from time to time and in some cases, become extinct, thus making sustainability difficult”
She emphasized the need for schools to continue to play its traditional role in fostering national development; especially in the light of our current national drive to becoming one of the largest twenty world economies by the year 2020 and attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
She presented a definition of School Improvement from the works of Prof. Bert Creemers in his article, Effective School Improvement Framework (2007):
School improvement is primarily concerned with changing the quality of teachers and school without an automatic look at the consequences for the student outcomes; while
School effectiveness focuses on the student outcomes and the characteristics of schools and classrooms which are related to these outcomes without an automatic consideration of the processes that are needed to bring changes.
In the presentation, she gave the following overview of standards from the position of the FCT Education Secretariat.
The provision of education in FCT is taken very seriously and great efforts are made at maintaining very high standards.
Schools can still be rated as the “good’, the “bad” and the “ugly”.
The Education Secretariat commends the schools operating within best practices and encourages maintenance of such high standards.
The Secretariat is also working hard to re-position the substandard schools.
Substandard schools are those established without due regard to the National Minimum Standards and FCT guidelines.
Schools are established arbitrarily by proprietors who often do not consult relevant experts and regulatory authorities.
Proper procedure for establishing and operating schools are ignored as some proprietors do not acquaint themselves with statutory requirements.
There are no established goals, clear focus, feasibility study, development plan etc. In fact there is no evidence of clear understanding of the things involved in running a school. Many believe that school business is an all- comers affair.
The presentation further covers the challenges of running sustainable schools in the FCT, inspection and monitoring requirements, kinds of inspection,FCT Education secretariat’s response to myriad of issues raised and the way forward for the educational system in the nation’s capital and environs.
In conclusion she submits that “sustainable school improvement and effectiveness is a journey, not a destination. Improvement needs to be the never-ending story of education. The culture of improvement must be cultivated, internalized, lived and practiced”
Roundtable Discussion Session
The discussion session was one of the main highlights of the summit. It provides an opportunity for participants to deliberate on a wide array of issues affecting the school system in terms of improvement, effectiveness and the attainment of standards. The following were the groups, the focus of their discussion and their recommendations.
Group One focused on Sustainable School Improvement: The FCT Challenge. The group was led by Mrs. Angela Ajala, Director, Ladela School, Garki, Abuja and consists of the following:
• Francis Okorocha-Little Angels, Garki, Abuja
• Ebelechukwu Ikechukwu-Heritage Academy, Wuse II, Abuja
• Auta Joel Yaji- ECWA Hills Christian Academy, Maitama, Abuja
• Nwosu Maria Tina (Rev)- St. Theresa’s School,Bwari,Abuja
• Ujege Patience-Tophill School, Wuse, Abuja
• Nwafor Ugochukwu-Ladela Schools,Garki,Abuja
• Catherine Nomhwange- Tophill School, Wuse,Abuja
• Oke Deborah-Cornerstone Nursery/Primary,Bwari,Abuja
• Oluwatoyin Shaba-Dunamis International Schools,Garki,Abuja
The group gave the following highlights on the issues that pose challenges for their various school improvement efforts within the FCT.
• Vision of the Owners
• Structure/basic amenities
• Qualified Personnel
• Generally basic requirements
• Creating awareness among staff and pupils that they are ambassadors
• Mission Statement Awareness
• Regular re-appraisal/evaluation according to individual school.
The group highlighted the following as the main drivers of school improvement in their environment:
• Adequate staff training and capacity building
• Motivation beyond money for staff
• Creating the culture of continuity
• Innovation + creativity in PTA
• Staff Welfare
• Continual professional training
• Interaction with other schools.
In conclusion they submit that School Improvement must be a continuous process. If it has to be so, there must be regular capacity building. At the start of the school year, school improvement must be built into the budget and be part of the school goal. There must be constant supervision and monitoring of school improvement.
Group Two focused on Inspection and Monitoring: Getting the requirements right. The group was led by Mrs. Dupe Utsalo, Director, The Siloam School & President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) FCT Abuja Chapter and consists of the following:
• Okwuenu Dorothy-Glory International School,Karu,Abuja
• Zainab Matthew-NECO Staff School, Minna, Niger State
• Christie Boro-Eminence Schools,Jabi,Abuja
• Jacob T. Garba-The Covenant Academy, use Zone 1,Abuja
• Ladidi Ademokoya-Adocas Pride, Suncity Estate, Abuja
• Olajide Olusegun-Unique Blossom Schools, Maitama, Abuja
• A.T. Sani- Zamani College, Kaduna, Kaduna State
• Lesley Nnebedum-The Regent School, Maitama, Abuja
• Olusola Bankole-Banky’s Private School,Gaduwa Estate, Abuja
• The group is of the opinion that the purpose of inspection is to ensure standards in schools, evaluate teaching, monitor pupils progress and monitoring effective implementation of policies to ensure compliance.
• They highlighted the benefits of inspection as better qualified staff, good Infrastructure, effective learners and well-resourced school. The Statutory requirements are Business Plan/feasibility studies, Site inspection for school start-ups, consultation with the education authority and infrastructure inspection
• Inspectors when carrying out their task look out for Statutory Records, infrastructure, Implementation of Policies and professionalism
• Preparation is key when it comes to inspection therefore there is a need to ensure that all records are in order, daily routines are met and facilities such as the ones for sports etc are in place. In order to improve inspection there is a need to implement the suggestions offered by the inspectors during the excise and always do a post mortem/evaluation of all inspection/monitoring exercise.
Group Three focused on Relational Strategies with education regulatory authorities. The group was led by Mrs. Fidelia Oyefeko, Director, Treasure House Montessori, School and consists of the following:
• Dr (Mrs) Dosunmu-Toddlers Haven, Gwagwalada,Abuja
• Mrs. A Bello-Living Fountain School, Abuja
• Pastor J. Onovwnna- LaVoque International School,Karshi,Abuja
• Mrs. O. Salaudeen-Imam Malik, Gwagwalada
• Mrs. I. Fatokun- Lakeland School, Warri, Delta State
• Sis I. Njoku-Eucharistic Heart School, Kubwa, Abuja
• Evelyn Chidolue-Chelsea Academy,Gwarimpa,Abuja
• Mrs. A. Malomo-The Grace & Gold School, Garki, Abuja
• Saidu Abba-Glisten International Academy, Jabi District, Abuja
Group members are of the opinion that there balanced regulation and proper focus in the FCT as documents and information and guidelines are available but could be better.
The impact of the regulatory authority has been felt in the area of setting standards for schools, schools having confidence that things are done well/right,
Schools working towards a legal documentations and better run schools
There were mixed feelings among the group in their disposition to the various regulatory agencies depending on which side of the situation you are on. Some schools have positive disposition and some negative. Their feelings also depend on the experiences the schools have had with regulatory authorities in the past. They submit that some inspectors need training and retraining to remove unnecessary stereotypes. Some inspectors also extort money from the school operators and everybody agreed that something should be done about it. Inspectors are encouraged to see inspection for school improvement as support for the progress of the school.
In conclusion, the group suggested that school should work on feedback given to them by inspector, visiting and build rapport with the inspectors as a way of improving the once frosty relationship with them. They also suggest educating the public, parents, everyone and creating an awareness among all fabrics of the society of what is expected of any private school.
Group Four focused on Staff Compensation/Benefits: Myths & Realities. The group was led by Mrs. Bose Bunmi Olubo, Director, Unique Blossom School and include of the following:
• Patricia Obianodo-Noble Heights Academy, Karu District, Abuja
• Kasim Kikelom-Skycrest Academy,Maraba,Abuja
• Modupe Adetunji-Bezalel Gen. International School, Abuja
• Eleonu Obioma-Premiere Academy, Lugbe,Abuja
• Catherine Eroutteh-Faith Christian Schools, Old Karu,Abuja
• Whiskey Benson-Divine Mercy Secondary School,Asokoro,Abuja
• Adeyeye Emmanuel- Premier International School,Wuse,Abuja
• Loretta Akpoke-Start Rite School,Apo Quarters, Abuja
The following are suggestions by the group on the issue of staff welfare and compensation plans:
• Gifts for staff during festive period
• Staff should be well-paid and motivated
• Children of Staff should be allowed to pay half-tuition.
• Schools should further encourage teachers by allowing 85% of lesson fees to be shared by them while15% goes to the school authority.
• Respect for the personality of the staff by the school owner/administrator
• Soft loans to teacher with no interest.
• Registering of a cooperative society
• Maternity leave for female teachers is also essential.
• Yearly increment according to the progress of the school.
• Long service award to staff of the school
• Productivity allowance to teachers that have perform well
• Pension Services should be rendered
• Housing Loan/Hosing Scheme as the case may be.
• Training and development should be institutionalized as a way of appreciating the staff and helping them to reach their peak..
Group Five focused on Promoting Systemic and institutional Leadership. The group was led by Dr. Irene Popoola, Oasis Group of Schools and include of the following:
• Rabi Namtari-Great Heights Academy, ado Estate, Abuja
• Amaka Ndoma-Egba- Start-Rite School,Apo Quarters, Abuja
• Aledare Emmanuel-Unity High School,Kubwa,Abuja
• Owonubi Kate-Treasure House Montessori School,Asokoro,Abuja
• Bunuyaminu Yero-Capital Science Academy,Wuse,Abuja
• Ola Olubunmi-Cornerstone Montessori School,Bwari,Abuja
• Jimoh Raufu-Premiere Academy,Lugbe,Abuja
• Iheama Peace-Capville Schools,Gwarinmpa,Abuja
• Mrs. N. Umenyiora-Margaret Thelma International School, Karu,Abuja
The group submitted that “Leadership in a school is very important. It is the
lifeline of the school in the sense that the type of leadership and leadership style a school has determines the drive of the school. A leader in the school is the one who is in charge of the day-to-day running of the school. It could be the proprietor or principal, headteacher etc but whoever he or she is he must be a role model. He must be able to articulate the vision of the owners and must have the ability to translate the vision of the school into action”.
The school must have an organogram showing clearly the reporting line of the school. It should give a clear picture of the management structure and the roles and responsibilities each person in the leadership structure of the school plays.
Group members were also of the opinion that each member of the management team must understand the vision and mission of the school and key into it. It is only in this way that the school system can effectively function. For effectiveness leadership development must exist and can be achieved by assigning responsibilities, target setting, continuos training and mentoring. An organized reporting system must be institutionalized .Receiving written reports from various sections of the school, discussing and analyzing them is also important .
School Based Management Committees (SBMC) could affect the management of the school positively through criticism and advice from the committee. It gives opportunity for diverse input. People sharing from their world of experience could positively affect the development of the school.
It also breeds understanding and support. It makes people around feel more like stakeholders by virtue of the development of the area due to the presence of the school.
Finally leadership styles vary from school to school. Some schools use Teamwork, Consultation, Participatory or autocratic. For optimum staff performance, they recommended the following:
1. Motivation of staff through recognition and praise
2. Promotions
3. Sponsoring of effective staff abroad for courses or excursions
4. Salary increment
5. Facilitating loans to staff
Group Six focused on School Development Plan. The group was led by Ken Sly, Head, The Regent School and include the following:
• Pastor Y. Fatimehin-Trinity International School,Karu,Abuja
• Shina John-Tophill Nursery/Primary School,Wuse 5,Abuja
• Tutu Mowo-Mothers Pride International School,Luge,Abuja
• Hussaina Abdul-Great Heights Academy,Kado Estate,Abuja
• Jacob K. Grace-Degracia Model School,Dutse Alhaji,Abuja
• Ugborgu Peter-Claver-Ladela Schools,Garki,Abuja
• Fashoro Patrick- Christabel Private School,Wuye,Abuja
• Nnenna Ukachukwu-British Nigeria Academy,Duboyi District,Abuja
• Spencer Okoroafor-Heritage Academy,Wuse II,Abuja
• Abdush-shakoor Alatise-Model Islamic School, Kubwa,Abuja
The is the summary of the groups submission:
• Development plans cover a 5 year period. Education is changing rapidly and longer periods of time do not necessarily embrace changes which occur.
• The development plan means the school heads move in a planned direction-interested parties who may have a different agenda (some parents, maverick staff etc) cannot have it off in a different direction if there is a strong and sustainable plan in place. It will also save wastage of money and other resources.
• SDP should be under a series of headings which meet the needs of the school. Not all SDP’s will have the same headings. The following are suggestions by the groups. Suggested headings: Building + Grounds
Services
Curriculum
Teaching & Learning (includes teacher development)
Student recruitment
Financial
School/Staff/student capacity
Resourcing
Public Relations
Community
Boarding
• There is a need to have a SDP committee that includes students, parents (PTA perhaps), admin staff, grounds staff as well as teachers and management.
(Faulty recruitment in the beginning means that in new schools some parents may not subscribe to the ethos of the school)
• High achieving students will achieve regardless of whether we have a SDP or not. However a sound SDP will lift the performance of other students (and staff)
• There is often a disconnect between what we should be doing, what we say we are doing and what we actually are doing. A good SDP should go some way towards correcting this.
• The SDP will have intervals and intermediary goals over the five years. Some targets may not be for the five years hence, but only 2 or 3.
COMMUNIQUE
Theme: Sustainable School Improvement & Effectiveness
Event: School Improvement Summit (ISIS) 2009
Venue: Ladi International Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Abuja
Date: 12th February, 2009
Preamble
Schools need to continuously strive to offer standardized education to the society and communities in which they operate if they desire to remain relevant and contribute to growth and development indices of the nation. School Improvement and effectiveness is precipitated on the fact that an orderly school environment, that is efficient, well managed according to set standards are preconditions for enhanced student learning and high academic attainment.
In the last quarter of 2008, the Secretary of Education in FCT, Alhaji Halilu Pai said 500 private schools in the territory that did not meet the national standards for their establishment will be closed down. He further stressed that “An inspection of the private schools has shown that some of them lack qualified teachers and infrastructure while some are not operating the approved curriculum”.
It was this alarming situation that precipitated the need to have a platform where operators in the school system will have the opportunity to meet with regulators and experienced educators to chart a course for the future of school and education in the FCT and environs.
International School Improvement Summit (ISIS) 2009
The summit was attended by 62 school owners, directors, administrators and head of school from 50 top rated schools from within and outside the FCT.Papers was presented by experienced individuals within the educational system and regulatory authorities. They are as follows:
After the one day summit, the following were some of the pertinent issues that were raised and require that all stakeholders look into within their sphere of influence that they operate in within the school system.
• It was agreed that school improvement and effectiveness should be institutionalized in the various schools and be seen as a means to an end and not an end in itself.
• Those starting news schools should first of all see the advise of the regulatory authority before venturing into it. This will help them get the necessary support and information that could help them make informed decisions.
• The regulatory agencies should ensure that assigned inspectors be trained and retrained in order to upgrade them to the present dynamic changes within the educational sector in order to do away with stereotypes.
• Inspectors should also not see their work with the schools as an opportunity to extort schools but a way of offering support in their bid to offer qualitative support for the development of education in the country.
• The need for standard facilities in the schools also came to the fore at the summit. School operators should make it a priority to put in place standard facilities in the school for effective learning and development.
• Training and development of all category of school staff is essential and school operators should take it seriously. Human Capital development is key to all school improvement efforts and as such it must be given priority attention.
• Schools were encouraged to as a matter of urgency put in place a School Development Plan for their school. This will ensure that the school move towards a particular and predetermined direction of growth and development. This will help feed in to the Education Sector Plan of the Education Secretariat.
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