By Ralph Oluwatoyin.
The Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Mr Michael Omolayo has called for better administrative competence among the Principals of public secondary schools in the State for efficient school management.
The PS made the call at the interactive session with the Principals of secondary schools in Ekiti held at Christ’s School Ado Ekiti.
Omolayo explained that Principals are the Accounting Officers of all Schools and the head of the management team, noting that management decision is always binding.
He explained that Principals must always give written approval of all expenses carried out by the bursars using procurement system being guided by the public service rules.
He emphasised that capacity building is necessary for Principals, Vice Principals, Bursars and other principal officers in the school system.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Bureau of Central Internal Audit (CIA), Mr Babatunde Adesola charged Principals to recognise their roles of authority and coordinate all the affairs of the school, noting that all schedule of duties must be defined with delegations.
He admonished that Principals should be leaders by examples and that there should be authorised expenditure in all schools, stressing that bursars are to keep all financial records.
In his address, the Tutor General for Ekiti Central, Mr Martins Ilori highlighted some of the duties of Principals to include ensuring the system of accounts in school is strictly followed, make adequate provision for the safe custody of the school’s balances and other assets.
Also ensuring all advances are retired in accordance with the conditions amongst others. In his response, the Ekiti State President All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Comrade Victor Amele said “life itself is a learning process” and explained that ANCOPSS is actually all about achieving goals and attainment of National development as everyone has his own line of duties in school that should be duly followed. Noting that he believes in working together in harmony to iron out issues which gives out the best.
He stressed that as leaders they should be patient and be more careful in handling school issues, he promised on behalf of others to be more alive to their responsibilities to reciprocate government good gesture.