Lagos State Govt To Institutionalise SDGs In Secondary Schools

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to providing an enabling structure to facilitate the delivery of targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in all Public Secondary Schools.

Speaking at a special training session organised for public school teachers by the Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment in conjunction with the United Nations Information Centre, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Solape Hammond, said political commitment supported with enduring policies and action would help identify proficient strategies to abate some developmental challenges.

She revealed that institutionalising the SDGs in schools is a perfect way of nourishing the young generation to becoming beacons of change, adding that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s reform in the educational sector is substantially advancing the State’s course in meeting the targets of SDG 4

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Her words: “As the Office responsible for mainstreaming the SDGs and amplifying developmental programmes of other MDAs, the strategy is to provide a structure in learning institutions and facilitate activities tailored specifically to strengthen students’ capabilities to become core participants in the delivery of a prosperous and peaceful city”.

“The SDGs framework provides a role for everybody and it is imperative to help the younger ones define personal actions, acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to enhance their sustainability awareness and competencies”, she added.

Mrs. Hammond maintained that the vision of the State Government is to bequeath a sustainable life to the young generation, stressing that students can be a driving force for supporting the development and contributing to peace and security if provided with the necessary skills and opportunities to reach their potential.

She posited that teachers are directly responsible for influencing the mind of the estimated 3.3 million young people in the State, adding that beyond creating awareness for these goals, it is important to stir their creative minds towards developing a project that will attend to some of the targets of SDGs.

“We would like to encourage our teachers to understand the many challenges that our society is facing, including poverty, inequality, climate change, ecological damage, peace and justice. After which they should develop some techniques in stimulating the interest of students in SDGs, sustain their curiosity and support their effort to address these challenges locally”, Hammond stated.

Reaffirming the government’s efforts to lead the cross-sectoral implementation of the SDGs, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Sustainable Development Goals and Investment, Mrs. Abosede George, said teaching students about the SDGs is important because it allows them to take responsibility for their actions and commit to working together to build a better and more sustainable future.
According to her, “Education has a unique role in achieving all of the targets of SDGs, we must applaud the amazing interventions of Mr. Governor in promoting quality education across the State”.

She averred that the SDGs’ student-centric approach empowers them to achieve their full potential and become changemakers, asserting that indulging in positive efforts gives them a sense of belonging and enriches their fulfillment in life.

“The depth and breadth of the SDGs necessitate concerted and coordinated efforts across all sectors and actors; the government creating solutions through personal and collective actions is a noble way of ensuring the future is prosperous for us”, she posited.

Mrs. Bolanle Olumekho, Director, United Nations Information Centre, revealed that the essence of the workshop was to create a support system for teachers in identifying the knowledge gaps in the ecosystem and involve the students in decision making.

While maintaining that teachers must encourage the young ones to identify the problems within the community to build a climate-smart generation, Olumekho revealed that the 17 SDGs are interconnected with a focus on economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection, insisting that a change in mindset and culture is necessary to make significant inroad in the attainment of the global objectives.