Wale Jagun & Godsgift Simire (SIWES Student)
The Rhoda Youth Centre has empowered educators in Ikorodu Division with etiquette skills as part of its campaign of impacting necessary morals and discipline into pupils in various schools.
The one – day workshop held at HOMAT Megalite Event Centre last Saturday, brought together headteachers and teachers from various primary schools across the division for interaction, and professional development, with resource persons emphasising the need to nurture values and skills in children to be better persons.
It was themed “Etiquette, Education, and Scholarship Programmes for Primary School Pupils in Ikorodu Division”
Asiwaju Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, RHODA Youth Centre, welcoming educators to the session emphasised that the centre focuses on molding character and instilling good character and values in children.
“At Rhoda Youth Centre, our passion is to nurture character, discipline, and values in our young people. We believe that true education goes beyond passing exams — it is about shaping lives and molding character. And this transformation begins with the teacher.
Teachers are the moral compass of society. When teachers lead with grace, courtesy, and professionalism, pupils naturally follow with discipline and respect. That is what this workshop is all about.”
Erogbogbo stated that the training would be a continuous one and also charged stakeholders on the need to work together in raising children with high and good moral standing.
“Let me emphasise that this workshop is not a one-time event. It marks the beginning of a long journey of character development, value reorientation, and etiquette education among our pupils and teachers in Ikorodu Division. From here, we move forward with more programmes, mentorships, and initiatives that will shape the future of our schools.
As we begin today’s session, I encourage everyone to participate actively and take something meaningful back to your schools. Together, let us raise a generation that combines knowledge with character and excellence with empathy.”
He thanked the Education Secretary, LGEA, Proprietor of HOMAT Group of Schools, groups and corporate bodies that supported the initiative.
One of the resource persons, Educator Tosin Adebayo Adams, who spoke on the topic, “Beyond Academics”, emphasised the importance of nurturing values and life skills in pupils beyond classroom performance, while Educator Maureen Amunlonu delivered a presentation titled, “Chasing Scores; Losing Souls” during which she highlighted how excessive focus on grades can cause schools to neglect character formation.
In her own presentation on “Etiquette Framework for Boys and Girls”, Educator Nkechi Adeyemi, provided practical approaches to instilling proper behaviour and respect on pupils, while Dr. Emmanuel Iruonagbe, spoke on “The Teacher as a Character Model” reminding educators that students learn more from what they see than what they hear.
The event also included games, dance sessions, and interactive activities that made the workshop lively and engaging. Teachers participated actively, shared experiences, and bonded through teamwork and learning.
The programme ended on a joyful note with a recap session with participants leaving the venue inspired and motivated to model good character and instill positive values in their pupils.
Dr Saheed Ibikunle, the Permanent Member, Lagos State Universal Education Board (LSUBEB) who did a recap of the session also emphasised the importance of complete education.
“We always emphasize that your certificates should not be what defines you. Education is about both learning and character. You may graduate with a distinction from any institution, but if you are later found guilty of misconduct, for example, accounting fraud or any serious offense, that institution reserves the right to withdraw your certificate.
“Even if you graduated with a First Class or Second Class Upper, if you are convicted for something like rape or any morally unacceptable act, it shows a lack of character. Such a person does not represent the values of that institution or society.
“Therefore, we must always remember that we are ambassadors of our citadel of learning.”
He charged educators on the need to set standard of behaviour to their students through their own conducts.
“As teachers, we are expected to model exemplary behavior. Our character must reflect what we teach, because pupils look up to us. We shouldn’t preach one thing and live another.
“We want our pupils to be well-behaved, disciplined, and kind, to be sweethearts, as I like to say.
“Beyond evaluating pupils cognitively, that is, based on their academic performance, we must also assess them affectively in terms of behavior and attitude. Some pupils may score 80 out of 100, yet their parents will still push them to do better academically. But as teachers, we must go beyond grades.
“Take note of your pupils’ character and write meaningful comments that will help parents understand their child’s overall development. For instance, if a pupil performs well academically but is always late to school, lateness should be addressed.
“It’s enough reason to invite the parents for discussion, sometimes, lateness is caused by challenges at home.
“Similarly, some children struggle with interpersonal relationships,they fight with their classmates or find it hard to work in groups. Those issues should also be noted and discussed with parents, because schools cannot handle character development alone. Parents must be involved too,” Dr Ibikunle added.
He also urged teachers to be conscious of their relationship with their communities and parents to impact effectively on their pupils.
“We must also consider our relationship with the community and parents, because education is a shared responsibility. At the end of the day, teachers must evaluate themselves, their pupils, and even the curriculum.
“Sometimes, the curriculum may not align with the values of the community. For example, in some cultures, kneeling or prostrating is seen as a sign of respect; in others, it isn’t practiced. Some families, for religious or cultural reasons, teach their children not to kneel or prostrate before anyone.
“So, as teachers, we must understand these differences and respect them while still promoting good character”, he said.
Other guests at the workshop were Dr. (Col.) Titi Onafowokan, PhD., an educationist, Dr. Stephen Adesemoye, PhD., for Head of Mass Communication Department, Lagos State University of Science & Technology (LASUSTECH) who represented Mr Lane Kuye, Director, Information & Public Relations , LASUSTECH among others
