The Lagos State government on Thursday encouraged teachers to avail themselves of the numerous opportunities for training, self-development, and professionalism.

The chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Mopelola Peregrino, stated this at the 3rd edition of a one-day colloquium and training for teachers in Lagos.

The annual colloquium organised by TESCOM is in commemoration of World Teachers’ Day 2025, usually observed on October 5.

Ms Peregrino said continuous self-development would keep them abreast of emerging trends in their chosen profession.

The chairman stated that the theme for the 2025 event, “The Impact of Industrial Relations Policies on Teachers’ Performance,” was carefully chosen.

She noted that the discourse would broaden the horizon of the stakeholders on how industrial relations policies shaped working conditions and the impact they had on job satisfaction and performance.

“On our part as a commission and as a government, I can assure you that we will always promulgate policies that provide fair treatment, reasonable workloads, and timely compensation.

“Also, we will provide an avenue for grievance resolution, which I am sure will boost teachers’ morale, job satisfaction, and improvement in overall performance.

“The third edition of this colloquium, which is meant to be an annual initiative, is designed to bring relevant stakeholders together. They will brainstorm on topical issues expected to further inspire, educate, and improve our skills in the teaching career,” she added.

The TESCOM chairman urged teachers present to open their minds positively to learn and relearn.

On his part, Issac Adetolu, the guest speaker, said the training was to prepare the minds of teachers to be mindful of the best interests of their employers, which was the Lagos State government through the commission.

Mr Adetolu said that there must be harmony between employees and employers so that the end result, which is optimal teacher performance, could be achieved.

“The government should realise that while they expect the teachers to achieve the expected goals, they should ensure that the employees’ welfare is taken care of,” Mr Adetolu urged.

In his remarks, Akintoye Hassan, the state’s Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) chairman, said teachers’ inadequacy would remain until the state achieved the UNESCO standard of a 1:25 student-to-teacher ratio in a classroom.

Mr Hassan said this was the reason there was an ongoing recruitment at both the TESCOM for secondary school and SUBEB for the primary school teachers.

He reiterated the union’s demand that the governor implement the 65-year retirement age for teachers in the state.

(NAN)