Lagos TESCOM Sensitises Staff On Healthy Living

The Lagos State Teaching Commission (TESCOM) has charged its teaching and non-teaching staff to prioritise issues that concern their health.

The Chairman of the Commission, Mrs. Mopelola Peregrino, gave the charge at the annual sensitisation seminar organised to further fulfil one of the core mandates and responsibilities of overseeing the well-being of teachers and non-teaching staff.

Mrs. Peregrino, who was represented by a board member of the Commission, Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye, noted that the event is basically to sensitise the teeming members of the Teaching Service and evoke consciousness in keeping a healthy lifestyle, inside and outside the classroom, thereby reducing mortality rate amongst the personnel of the Post-Primary Teaching Service.

Mrs. Peregrino decried the extent to which Teachers neglect their health and well-being, which, according to her, contributes to a reasonable extent to the cause of preventable and manageable ailments, such as Asthma, Hypertension, Diabetes and the prevalent mental and psychiatric disorderliness in the Service.

She observed that the global economic downturn, with its toll on our Nation’s economy and its attendant effects on the average Nigerian, has, in no small measure, impacted the physical, emotional and psychological well-being and ultimately, leading to emotional and or physical breakdown among the teaching and non-teaching staff.

The Chairman reiterated the passion of Governor Olusola Babajide Sanwo-Olu towards the welfare of Teachers in the State which is evident in the prompt payment of salaries and allowances, access to Car Refurbishment and Housing Loans, the Health Insurance Scheme, timely progression of Teacher’s career and most importantly, the prompt payment of Promotion increment to eligible officers amongst others.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila noted that a healthy lifestyle, which encompasses physical, mental, and emotional well-being, is essential for a fulfilling and balanced life.

She advised the teaching and non-teaching staff to adopt habits like eating nutritious food, exercising regularly, getting sufficient sleep, and managing stress effectively.

While imploring the teaching and non-teaching staff to put their health issues on the front burner at all times, Oyekan-Ismaila advised them not to allow the busy and daunting day-to-day activities and tight schedules to negatively impact their health.

The Permanent Secretary also appreciated the support of Mr. Governor towards the Teaching Service, which has been demonstrated in all strata from recruitment to retirement and up to Pensions.

The sensitisation seminar with the theme: “Mental Health and Stress Management” enlisted the support of Clinical Psychiatrists, Physicians, Reproductive Health Officers and Nutritionists, including how best to protect the rights of Staff with mental and psychiatric disorders.

Other activities lined up for the annual seminar included a medical screening exercise of vital organs conducted by allied medical personnel, with results informing further remedial measures to be taken by concerned Officers if any.

Lectures delivered at the one-day sensitisation seminar centred on Mental Health Awareness as well as Stress Management.