Campus News

Yusuf canvasses attractive work conditions for teachers

A Professor of Curriculum Development and Social Studies at the University of Ilorin, Hamdallat Taiwo Yusuf, has called for the introduction and sustenance of attractive service conditions for teachers to enable them  live abundant life.

Prof. Yusuf gave this advice last Thursday (December 19, 2024) while delivering the 271st Inaugural Lecture of the University, titled “Navigating the Nexus of Teacher Education, Curriculum Development and Social Studies”, at the University Auditorium.

The don, who teaches at the Department of Social Sciences Education, said it was high time that competitive salaries were made available to teachers at various levels of the nation’s educational system to enable them effectively discharge their responsibility of moulding the nation’s future leaders.

Prof. Yusuf also called for the facilitation of job security and other benefits for teachers as she noted that making professional development opportunities and a positive work environment available to teachers as well as ensuring due societal recognition for them would assist greatly in ensuring adequate service delivery.

The Inaugural Lecturer also called on various communities to take ownership of schools in their respective jurisdictions to ensure greater service delivery from the teachers, saying that a greater involvement of communities in the management of the schools in their domains would ensure that the schools achieve their corporate objectives.

Prof. Yusuf added that the involvement of parents, community leaders and local organisations such as Community Development Associations would ensure that the educational processes are not impaired.

She also implored stakeholders to ensure that learners take ownership of their education as she also charged community involvement in schools through student-led projects.

Prof. Yusuf also said that students must be connected with their communities to promote civic responsibility and improve understanding of immediate values and needs through specific projects.

She also suggested transformative pedagogical approaches that would be student-centred and which would also promote active learning experience.

Prof. Yusuf equally canvassed for the development of innovative teaching methods that would encourage the adoption of interactive and participatory teaching styles in social studies to engage students.

She added that the development of critical thinking skills, which involves the use of discussions and debate approaches, would encourage students to analyse and question social issues.

The Inaugural Lecturer also called for the enhancement of learning experiences through the integration of technology to effectively engage students to meet the 21st century learning needs through the use of digital tools.

Drawing from personal experiences, Prof. Yusuf tasked lecturers to always assume the role of counsellors who care for the psychological and emotional needs of students enrolled for their courses, saying that doing so would bring out the best in the students.

She also charged educators to have a strong grasp of the contents of knowledge they would teach and be confident as authorities in teaching their subject areas.

Prof. Yusuf also advised students to always listen to their inner selves, saying that doing so would help them to navigate the ephemeral world where things change too rapidly.

The Inaugural Lecturer also called for the adoption of diverse assessment methods that would involve the use of techniques such as portfolios, presentations and group projects in the evaluation of student understanding beyond traditional examinations.

Prof. Yusuf also called for a review of teacher education programmes through updating the curriculum to include current issues and practical skills relevant to social studies as she suggested the establishment of continuous professional development programmes for teachers such as training opportunities that would improve their skills

She also called for the enhancement of resource allocation to schools for them to have adequate instructional materials and resources to support effective teaching and learning.

Prof. Yusuf equally canvassed the strengthening of new assessment methods that would focus on competency-based options, which would assess teachers’ effectiveness.

The Inaugural Lecture, which was presided-over by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, was attended by friends, colleagues, students and mentees of Prof. Yusuf from far and near.