About seven thousand students from Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) received back to school items from the council during its maiden back to school initiative.

Each of the students were handed a box containing school uniform, bag, exercise books, writing materials, socks, a pair of sandals, and water bottles, at the programme, held at the council secretariat, Isolo.

The council also rewarded the best teacher in the council with N1 million, best head teacher received N500,000; while the best non-teaching staff got N250,000.

Eunice Akinriola from St. Paul Anglican Primary School, Ishaga,  won the best teacher award; Salami Adebare from Akinbaye Primary School, Isolo, won the best head teacher award, while Oluwabunmi Falua from Estate Primary School, Isolo, won the best non-teaching staff award.

Ajao Estate Primary School, Ansar-Ud-Deen Nursery and Primary School, Ire Akari Model Primary School, Dele Ajomale Primary School, Faronbi Primary School, Ilasamaja Primary School, Local Government Primary School, Olokun Primary School, St. Paul Anglican Primary School and five others benefited from the back to school initiate.

Speaking during the programme, Chairman of the council, Bayo Olasoju, said the gesture was to compliment the state government’s free education programme. He noted that it is the responsibility of the government to provide basic teaching and learning facilities, and make life more meaningful for all and sundry.

“This programme underscored our unwavering commitment to giving our future leaders a solid educational foundation. It is also our little way of supporting parents at this critical time considering the high cost of living and the harsh economic situation,” Olasoju stated.

Speaking on the reward for the teachers, Olasoju said the gesture was to further motivate them for excellent service delivery. He assured that the initiative would be sustained in the coming years, to ensure that teachers remain motivated.

He also announced plans to revive the prize-giving day ceremony among in the state public primary schools to encourage competition and engender excellence.
Olasoju said: “Rewarding educators will give them a moral boost, considering the rate at which teachers leave the country for greener pastures. We are not resting on oars, with God on our side, next year, the best teacher will get a car.

One of the parents, Mrs Bose Lawal, commended the council boss for the gesture saying the initiative would help in reducing their financial burden.
While urging other council chairmen to emulate the gesture, Lawal said parents need all the help to send their wards to school at this challenging time.