Lagos State Education District I has counseled students, teachers and parents to be deliberate in eradicating the menace of drug abuse and cultism among school children in the State.
Speaking at a Ramadan Lecture organised by the Education District for students, parents and teachers, held on Thursday in Lagos, the Tutor-General /Permanent Secretary of the District, Mrs. Titilayo Solarin, added that the fight against some societal ills requires the joint efforts of teachers and the parents.
She opined that as teachers are teaching students in academics and morals, parents should also join hands with the school to curb these vices, stressing that teachers cannot do it alone.
On the importance of the Holy Month of Ramadan, the TG/PS underscored the need to imbibe the spirit of giving, noting that Ramadan is a month that we should keep ourselves holy and give to those who do not have.
“Let the privileged ones among us show love to indigent students, teachers and everyone around us that is in need. It is by so doing that we can emulate and exemplify the teachings of Allah as stipulated in the Holy Quran”, Mrs. Solarin stated.
She also acknowledged the recent magnanimity of the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, in approving the release of buses to the workforce of all the education districts in the State, as well as the consistent support for the State’s education sector, describing the gesture as being in consonance with the teachings of the month of Ramadan.
On his part, the Director of Education District I, Salimah Hassan Kehinde, called for improvement in teachers’ disposition to work, a change of attitude from being lackadaisical to showing care, concern and empathy.
According to him, teachers should go the extra mile, take time to discover their students and attend to their peculiar needs including counseling when there is need, stressing that all students are very distinct in their own ways.
While delivering a lecture with the title “Curbing Drug Abuse in the Nation – Way Forward from Islamic Perspective”, the Chief Missioner, Muslim Teachers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State and Principal Lagos Baptist Senior College, Agege, Tajudeen Adetunji Oladoyin, said that Ramadan should be a learning period for all Muslim faithful and pleaded with Muslims to try and ensure that after the fasting period, they continue with the same good behaviour exhibited throughout the Holy month.
The Chief Missioner also called on parents to exemplify Godly conduct worthy of emulation by their children, especially now that there are several societal ills and peer groups capable of misleading unsuspecting students.
As part of the Ramadan Lecture, Quiz and Quran recitation competition was held among the students’ representatives across the three zones of the District.
At the end of the competition, Sango Senior Secondary School, Agege emerged the overall winner of the Quranic Recitation while Keke Senior High School, Ifako-Ijaiye came tops in the Quiz Competition with the winners receiving different prizes.
