The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) has launched an advanced certificate in school leadership and management (ACSLM) programme and a special long-vacation training for school principals and vice-principals from Ogun and Oyo States.

The inaugural cohort began their 9-week intensive programme at the OOLI training facility following an orientation programme led by Chairman of the OOLI Special Management Advisory Group (OSMAG) and facilitator of the course, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola.

The former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, while addressing participants at the opening session, stressed the crucial role school principals play in nation-building through character and skills development in students.

In a statement, he noted that children spend more time in their care than in the care of their parents, and hence, principals and teachers are a powerful force in shaping the lives of children in desired directions.

Obasanjo said: ?You are saddled with extraordinary responsibility, and you should discharge this creditably and satisfactorily. This training programme by OOLI has been specially packaged to assist you in achieving this goal.?

In his remarks, the Director of OOLI, General (rtd) Martin Luther Agwai, said: ?The training programme is fully aligned with OOLI?s core objective: to equip leaders at every level with the insight, values, and skills required to drive change in complex environments. Through this programme, you are embarking on a journey that is as personal as it is national in its scope.

?As we respond to the ever-evolving landscape of education, we recognise that the role of school principals is not just about managing classrooms but about steering educational ecosystems.

?Today?s principals are strategic leaders who must contend with a range of complex demands-from governance and school safety, to fostering innovation and creating inclusive learning environments.?

The facilitator of the course, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, informed participants of the topics to be covered in the training as those that emerged from a national survey of training needs of school principals.

Okebukola said: ?OOLI deploys the global best practice of first finding out the training needs of potential trainees before developing the training curriculum. This is followed by the development of the training materials and then the implementation of the training programme. That way, OOLI will be meeting the needs of trainees rather than conjecturing what their needs would be.

?The topics to be covered for the eight weeks include Attributes of Successful School Principals; History, Current Development and Future of Secondary Education in Nigeria; Managing school safety and security; Strategic planning and vision setting for secondary schools; Financial management and budgeting;

?Resource allocation and utilization; Record-keeping and data management; Promoting effective teaching and learning practices; Monitoring and evaluation of student performance; Managing student behaviour and discipline; Building partnerships with parents and the community.

?Fundraising and resource mobilisation; Collaborating with government and non-governmental organizations; Handling community-related challenges and expectations; Compliance with national and state educational regulations; Digital literacy and use of educational technology; Managing e-learning platforms and tools.

?Cybersecurity and data privacy; Supporting students with special educational needs; Aligning school goals with national educational standards; Adapting international practices to the local context; and Preparing students for a globalised world.?

Okebukola noted that ?The training will be case-study driven, hybrid in delivery mode and practical oriented. The holders of the prestigious ACSLM of OOLI will come out loaded with knowledge and skills in leading schools that will stand out as models for others in Nigeria and in Africa in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and quality of secondary school leavers.?

Twenty-five resource persons including highly-rated Professors of Leadership and Educational Management and retired school principals with excellent service records are among the resource persons for the training.

Okebukola commended the Governors of Ogun and Oyo States for sponsoring their school leaders, he praised Governor Seyi Makinde for personally endorsing the participation of Oyo principals, and for expressing interest in contributing as a resource person in future leadership training for student leaders.

He also acknowledged the commitment of Governor Dapo Abiodun and Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, Ogun State Commissioner for Education and former Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin University of Education, for prioritising the training.

Okebukola added, ?The training is organised under the OOLI Special Management Advisory Group, which includes respected academics and education policy experts such as Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, Professor Nasir Maiturare, Professor Uchenna Nzewi, and others.?

Oon June 3, the Governing Board of OOLI was inaugurated by former Ghanaian President John Mahama, who described the institute as ?poised to be a model for leadership capacity building in Africa.?

Board members include former African heads of state, seasoned academics, diplomats, and globally renowned development experts.

(The Guardian)

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