Int'l Classroom Exchange: Lagos School Hosts Teachers From US

Yomi Durojaye 

On September 25, 2024, Ifesowapo-Aboru Senior Secondary School in Lagos witnessed a landmark event during the International Classroom Exchange Program. The event was graced by key sponsors of the LSI Limitless Educator Program, represented by Mrs. Asmau Smaila, Associate Director of Sustainability & Corporate Communications at IHS Towers. In her remarks, Mrs. Smaila expressed her deep appreciation for the impact the program has made on the students and the entire school community. She was particularly impressed with the various space-related talents showcased by the students, noting how this initiative has cultivated future leaders in space science.

Int'l Classroom Exchange: Lagos School Hosts Teachers From US 

The special assembly, held in honor of the visiting teachers from the United States and Nigeria’s Limitless Educators, also featured a moving speech from Mrs. Kaci Heins, Executive Director of the Limitless Space Institute. Overwhelmed with emotion, Mrs. Heins expressed her joy and pride in seeing how effectively the school has implemented the training and resources provided. She commended the school management and Mr. Soji Megbowon, the school’s ambassador for the Limitless Space Educators Program, for going above and beyond to inspire students and foster a thriving community of space enthusiasts in this rural setting. The passion and commitment demonstrated by both students and staff left an indelible impression on the visiting educators.

In his welcome address, the school’s principal, Mr. Giwa Adetoro, extended his heartfelt thanks to the Limitless Space Institute for their invaluable contributions to experimental learning engagements in the school. He also expressed deep gratitude to IHS Towers for instituting the Limitless Global Educator Program, acknowledging the profound impact it has had on the school’s educational journey. Mr. Adetoro highlighted how the program has empowered students to dream beyond boundaries, sparking creativity and curiosity in the field of space science.

The daylong classroom exchange saw distinguished guests, including high-profile stakeholders and directors from Education District 1. The Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, represented by Mrs. Ojo Maria, Director of School Administration, and Mrs. Oyegbile, Director of Co-Curricular, Science and Technology, attended the event. In a goodwill message delivered by Mrs. Oyegbile, the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary expressed his appreciation to the Limitless Space Institute and IHS Towers for selecting Ifesowapo-Aboru Senior Secondary School to participate in this prestigious cohort of the International Classroom Exchange Program.

Following the assembly, the visiting educators and students immersed themselves in STEAM lessons. Led by Mr. Soji Megbowon, Nigeria’s own Limitless Space Educator, students engaged in a hands-on exploration of basic physics in rocket launching. The experience was both eye-opening and exhilarating, bringing the complexities of space science into a relatable and practical context. The school’s STEM/Space Club also shone, as they led an in-house demo on Flip Classroom Experience, showcasing modern teaching methods. The day concluded with a powerful Career in Space drama performance by the students, leaving the audience inspired by the endless possibilities within the field of space exploration.

This groundbreaking event has left a lasting impact on Ifesowapo-Aboru Senior Secondary School, elevating its reputation as a hub for innovative learning and space education. The International Classroom Exchange Program has opened new doors for students and staff alike, inspiring them to reach for the stars.

Lagos School Holds Maiden Mid-Term Excursion/ Welfare Package For Teachers

…To Encourage effective teaching and enhance teachers performance in the Teaching/ Learning process - Principal

Its A Laudable Initiative For Teachers - TGPS EDD1, Dr. Yinka Ayandele

In a bid to ensure that teachers make quality use of the usual mid-term break, the Principal of Government Junior College, Agege, Mrs. Alamu Bolanle Olusola has introduced the first of its kind welfare initiative for teachers in the school.

The school,which is under the umbrella of Lagos Education District One, Agege,  a district known for attaining many great feats when it comes to creativity in teaching and learning, added flair to the second mid-term break of the 2018/2019 academic session.

It is a popular knowledge that most school teachers always spend their mid-term break at home, and mainly occupied with abandoned house hold chores.She also said when you are doing a particular job in the  same way for some time, it will be one a routine and one might lose interest.

However, to change the mundane and to unleash their passion, Mrs Alamu organized a motivational excursion cum get-together for the relaxation of teachers under her watch and also for further exposure stating that their is no nation that can develop beyond the level of its teachers.This time, the teachers spent a part of the second term mid-term break outside the normal routine by going out on an excursion, visiting some heritage endowment sites across Lagos amidst lots of merriment. They visited the amazing Nduibusi Park in Lagos where the teachers were treated to delightful pleasure,they concluded the event at the Ikeja City Mall, ShopSite.

According to Mrs Alamu, the maiden excursion cum special welfare package for teachers in the school is to creatively change the mundane relaxation style of the teachers who spend their mid-term breaks mostly indoors. As we are in the era of creativity and innovative reforms in education, I thought of the best way to sustain the momentum that our teachers have been working on since the beginning of the term. Therefore, I came up with this Mid-term Excursion/Special Welfare Initiative.’

“The idea is to make our teachers come together during the short break to have fun that is tailored towards energizing them for the concluding part of the term. We believe this will bring out the best from our teachers and reflect in the outstanding  performance of students at the end of the term and ultimately at the end of the session.

“By the grace of God, this initiative will be an annual event as we desire to motivate and expose our teachers to many interesting educational stuffs that would consequently improve teaching and learning outcomes in class.” She concluded.

Mrs Alamu recognized efforts of the award winning and quintessential Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of EDD1 Dr. Yinka Ayandele, who has always encouraged school managers to be more creative in order to make teaching and learning interesting.

We appreciate our award winning mother for making this initiative a success and for finding time out of her busy schedule to celebrate and identify  with us. She is a mother, a mentor, a problem solver and an administrator per excellence, she eulogized.

Also, Mrs Alamu extended gratitude to the Executive Governor of Lagos state Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule for creating enabling environment for both teachers and students and for various  immense contributions towards improving the standard of teaching and learning in schools. Noting that construction of a beautiful twenty plus one block of classrooms and provision of treated water worth celebrating, adding that Governor Ambode's 23rd of every month never fails.

Equally, we appreciate the major sponsors of the maiden event, Bakery Solutions - Producers of BreadMeal Bread and two other anonymous donors who identified with us and trusted us with their resources to give the best welfare package to the teachers. We all say thank you.

In her goodwill remark,the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of EDD1 Dr. Yinka Ayandele lauded the initiative as an excellent idea. She commended Mrs Alamu and her team for taking teachers Motivation sacrosanct beyond the four walls of the school adding that this kind of creative initiative should be emulated.

In separate remarks, the Vice Principal of the school, Mr.D.D.S Ajose, Head of Mathematics Department, Mr Raphael Fawole and Mr. Oludare Akinode asserted that it used to be students going on excursion but with the maiden teachers motivational tour, it will further exhume the passion within the teachers, regenerate social lives among teachers and spur them to deliver effective teaching in the classroom.