Kenneth AFOR –
Sexual harassment, Absenteeism at schools, lack of work ethics; compulsory sales of study materials, sexploitation, and exam malpractices have been identified as some corrupt practices going on in public schools which should be corrected.
Mrs. Olufunso Owasanoye, Executive Director of Human Development Initiatives (HDI) made this known while speaking at a seminar for teachers in Lagos state which was organized by HDI with the aim to sensitize and enlighten teachers in the state on how to curb ‘Quiet Corruption’ in public schools and the tertiary institutions.
Owasanoye explained that the purpose of the seminar is to curb unethical practices in public health education institutions in Lagos State by sensitizing and enlightening teachers on the need to curb the menace which is not being regarded.
She explained that some of the corrupt practices are as a result of government not taking into cognizance welfare of teachers. She disclosed that HDI is in partnership with the Lagos State government towards the welfare of the teachers and also that of students’ poor performance in school certificate examination.
The HDI ED, however called on all stakeholders and the government to come together to provide a lasting solution in making sure that students in public schools perform much better in examination than what it used to be.
Dr. Olufunke Oyetola who represented the Deputy Governor of Lagos State in an interactive session informed the teachers that Lagos State Ministry of Education is aware of these practices and that the Ministry is working in making sure that the Quiet Corruption will be reduced in the state’s public education institutions.
She added that teachers should do what they can in developing themselves by adding additional qualification to their portfolio. As an advice on their welfare after retirement, she hinted teacher to always spend according to their limit while they are still in active service so that when they retire they will have some finance to rely on.
Mr. Ogundele S.O admonishes teachers that if there is no change in their attitude and behaviour towards the profession it can contribute to the menace bedeviling the public schools in the state.
Kekilomo Osilowo, a Physics female teacher on sexual harassment on female students pointed that for this menace to stop teachers should make sure that female students should at all times be properly dressed when coming to school so as not to entice male teachers in the school, the same also goes to male students.
Teachers also proffer some solutions that will curb Quiet Corruption in public schools in the state such as; encouraged remuneration, often retirement attention, discipline on students, compelling government to enroll their wards into public and dissemination of information to other schools.
Share thisThe state government has provided platforms with which teachers can forward their complaints by writing to the Ministry at the State Secretariat at Alausa and also sending email to lagoseduaction@gmail.com as channels to approach the Ministry if cases of corruption should occur in their schools.
