Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has advocated the need for teachers across schools in the state to have some form of legal education to allow them have better understanding of the implications of many of their actions.
She disclosed this during the 4th edition of Faculty of Education Conference, 2023 themed : “Legal Implications of Teachers’ Activities and Inactivities in the Teaching Profession.” at the Ekiti State University, EKSU in Ado-Ekiti.
The governor’s wife explained that aside the government investment in training and provision of infrastructure, the rights of every child should be protected by the stakeholders.
According to her, It is imperative for teachers to have a clear understanding of legal responsibilities to ensure they provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
” Teachers hold a profound responsibility in shaping the future of our society through education. However, in fulfilling this role, they must also navigate the intricate web of legal obligations that surround their profession.
” The decisions teachers make, both inside and outside the classroom, can have profound consequences for students, their families, the broader educational and the society at large.
” Academic community Understanding the legal boundaries within which they operate is very crucial in order to avoid unintentional violations of human rights and to likewise ensure the protection of the rights and well-being of all stakeholders involved.”
She stressed the need for educational institutions and policymakers to provide comprehensive training and professional development opportunities for teachers to address the complex legal issues in schools.
” Equipping educators with the necessary legal knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions and navigate the evolving landscape of the teaching profession with confidence and integrity.
” it is imperative that we empower teachers with the necessary legal understanding and support. Together, let us work towards a system that upholds the rights and well-being of all stakeholders in the education community.” She said.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Edward Olanipekun, represented by the Deputy Vice chancellor, (Academic )Professor Babatola Ayodele said that educational laws regulates school safety and spells out the dos and don’ts in the educational sectors and guide the code of conduct in the educational sector
He described the conference as timely saying crime seems to be the order of the day in our institutions stressing that the conference would expose the consequences of such crimes in our institutions.
Also, the Dean of Faculty of Education, Prof. Adebunmi Jegede said Teachers are bind by legal obligation to protect the interest of their students, maintain confidentiality, non discrimination, and maintain professionalism.