The Lagos State Government on Tuesday appraised the pre-eminent roles teachers play in the mental and collective development of students.
The state said the teachers helped develop various learners’ skills amongst them.
“Teachers help their students develop an awareness of creative, dynamic, effective and efficient environmental protection and management responsibilities,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, stated this at the 2023 Annual Symposium Exercise for Environmental Bees Club Handlers held at Ikeja, added that teachers helped students develop aptitudes necessary to understand ecological issues.
The Director, Environmental Education Unit, Monsurat Banire who represented the Permanent Secretary, explained that the EBC handlers are committed teachers in public and private schools that coordinate the activities of Bees Club members as well as inculcate attitudinal change in students on issues pertaining to the environment.
He added that the activities of the handlers are guided by the harmonized EBC manual that is actively employed to engage the students during the co-curricular activities on environmental issues every Wednesday in schools across the state.
He said this year’s symposium was a platform for handlers to exchange ideas and get information about issues relating to the environment as teachers are kept abreast of recent developments in environmental sector, with the aim of cascading this knowledge to Environmental Bees Club members.
He added that the annual symposium organised for EBC handlers in Lagos state schools is one of the commitments of the present administration to ensure environmental sustainability in schools, using bottom-up approach.
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According to him, “I appreciate the EBC Handlers for their exemplary leadership, commitment and excellent support as you all have played a pivotal role in catching the EBC members young and motivating them to be environmentally literate, Environmental ambassadors in their communities and the state at large.”
In a welcome address, an Assistant Director, Environmental Education Unit, Omolara Brown said the activities of the handlers in schools have greatly empowered and enlightened the students and the young adults in the society on sustainable greener initiatives and various economic gains
“Today we are here to learn facts about the environment and to be part of the change agents in our society while catching them young,” she said.
During his presentation titled: ‘Home/School/Urban Gardening for Environmental Sustainability,’ Dr. Pereira Sheteolu noted that planting of crops at any available space is referred to as urban agriculture /homestead farming which embraces fish farming, livestock, goat, layers, sheep, fruits and vegetables amongst others.
He said homestead farming is an operational farming that is mainly for satisfying household needs as well as improved Nutrition that ensures availability of food all year round.
