The Wife of the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Olayemi Biodun-Oyebanji has charged various educational institutions to prioritize comprehensive training and retraining of teachers for the attainment of educational goals.
She gave the charge while addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the 4th National Conference of the Faculty of Education, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. The theme of the conference was “EDUCATION AND LAW: LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF TEACHERS’ ACTIVITIES IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION”.
While stressing the important roles being played by teachers in putting Educational system in proper shape, she explained that it was important for teachers to have clear understanding of their legal obligations and responsibilities in order to play their roles within the confines of the law and the observance of legal boundaries in the course of discharging their responsibilities.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Edward Olanipekun, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Babatola Ayodele emphasized the necessity of the conference adding that Educational laws are meant to provide a framework for moderating activities and relationship of staff and students in order to guide the code of conduct of all in the education sector.
Professor Olanipekun used the occasion to reiterate the university Management’s resolve not to relent in its determination to continue to provide necessary support for cutting edge research innovations aimed at knowledge advancement.
The Dean of the faculty, who is the host of the conference, Professor Akingbade Jegede, earlier in his opening address, lamented the state of non – awareness of many educational professionals of their legal obligations viz a viz the implications of their actions and inactions. The Dean remarked that teachers are bound by legal obligations to protect students’ rights, provide safe learning environment, maintain equality, confidentiality and ensure strict adherence to professional standard.
In her keynote address, a lecturer from the Faculty of Law, Ekiti State University, Dr.(Mrs) O.A. Oniyinde harped on the importance of Law and the need for stakeholders in the education sector, particularly lecturers, to be aware of legal implications of teachers’ activities and in-activities in the teaching profession. According to her, “please be informed that ignorance of the law is not an excuse”.
The legal expert used the occasion to call on the participants to see the conference as an ample opportunity to learn the legal implications of teachers’ activities and in-activities in the teaching profession in Nigeria.
The Lead Paper Presenter was Professor A.P. Agbonjinmi from the Faculty of Law, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, while the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Ministry of Education and Chairman, Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) were among dignitaries at the ceremony.