The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has urged the institution’s Staff School to place greater emphasis on digital technology, creativity, critical thinking and innovation as it prepares pupils for the future.

Ogunsola gave the charge in a message delivered at a press briefing to commemorate ULSS’s 60th anniversary, noting that the world in which children are growing up is changing rapidly.

According to her, developments in artificial intelligence, digital technology, and climate change are reshaping society and require schools to equip children with the skills and values needed to navigate a changing world.

She urged the management and teachers to build on its existing foundation by giving equal attention to academic excellence, character development, creativity, critical thinking, digital literacy and innovation.

The vice-chancellor also emphasised the importance of raising children who understand that knowledge comes with responsibility and that excellence should be used to contribute positively to society.

She described ULSS as an important part of the institution’s history and a significant contributor to the education of generations of Nigerians.

Ogunsola said the school, which was initially established to provide quality education for the children of university staff, had grown beyond its original purpose to become a community where young minds are nurtured, character is developed, and lifelong friendships are formed.

Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Education and Chairman of the school’s management board, Prof. Joseph Olayinka, stressed the importance of giving greater attention to primary education.

Olayinka said the foundation laid at the primary and secondary school levels was critical to children’s development before they proceeded to higher institutions.

He said universities build on talents and values already developed in children from their early years, stressing that efforts to identify and nurture talents should begin from the primary level.

According to him, the neglect of primary and secondary education could affect children’s development and, ultimately, society’s progress.

He also called for the development of strong moral values among children, saying education should go beyond academic knowledge to include character formation and responsible behaviour.

The Headmistress of ULSS, Mrs Eunice Akinade, said the anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate the school’s history and recognise the contributions of past leaders, teachers, parents and the university management to its development.

She appealed for stronger support from the school’s alumni community, expressing optimism that their involvement would improve the school’s infrastructure and learning facilities.

An old student, Dr Wura Abiola, said former pupils had commenced fundraising efforts to support the revitalisation of the school’s infrastructure.

Abiola, who is also an adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Lagos, recalled her experience as a pupil of the school, saying ULSS played an important role in shaping her attitude towards education.

She said the school taught her to enjoy learning, experiment with knowledge and apply what she had learnt to new situations.

Abiola, however, expressed concern over the condition of some of the school’s facilities compared with what she remembered during her time as a pupil. She recalled that the school previously had pristine facilities, beautiful classrooms and halls, describing it as an environment where pupils could focus on learning, develop friendships and enjoy their formative years.

She added that the deterioration of some facilities prompted her to begin fundraising to support the school’s infrastructure revitalisation programme.