Olashore School Tasks Teachers on Emotional Literacy

Olashore International School has urged teachers to be emotionally intelligent while dealing with their students, taking cognisance of the Social and Emotional Aspect of Learning (SEAL) of students in order to boost academic performances of the students.

This was stated at the Olashore Teachers Training Programme for Olashore Partner Schools, held in Lagos recently.With the theme: ’21st Century Challenges and Remedies in Teaching And Learning.”

The first facilitator, Mr Jato John, while stressing the relevance of SEAL said the positive social and economic well-being of a student, enables her to become more effective and confident, learning individually while developing her skills in group learning, thereby fostering team spirit and collaborative learning.

In his words, “SEAL can affect a student’s academic performance both positively and negatively. It will be good for a teacher to have a reasonable insight into the background of the child in order to manage interactions. If a child knows that you empathize with him or her, they pay more attention during classes, and positive responses will be seen in the child’s academics.

“In order to manage students’ behavior, certain skills should be employed such as Self-awareness, emotional management, empathy, motivation, and social interaction. I believe that SEAL can assist in the overall behavior of a student.

John further explained that: “to be emotionally literate is to be able to handle emotions in a way that improves your personal power and improves your quality of life and equally important, the quality of life for the people around you.”

Other facilitaors at the event discussed that active engagement techniques in teaching and learning will allow for deeper learning. They explained that in order to develop engagements, a good teacher-pupil relationship has to be developed, physical environments has to be attended to and rules must be clearly defined.

While reacting, a participant at the training, Mrs. Doyinsola Adebumeyin, a Montessori Directoress from the Learning Place Montessori School,said: ‘This training has enabled me get a lot more ideas and tips on what to do and what not to do in teaching.

“For me I really enjoyed coming here because I will be going back to my environment, not just to my class work, but also to share with my colleagues, so that together, we will raise children in a better place.”

Another particpant,Mr. Tachie-Menson Gafari, a teacher from the Diamonds Private School, said the training was worth the while. In his words, “I have learnt how to improve and also how to help my students learn deeply. Olashore International School did well to have put this training together. It shows how they contributing towards improving education in Nigeria.”

The School in attendance were; Amvil school, Salvation International School, The Learning Place, Diamonds Private School, Imperial Gate School, and Heritage House School.

The second edition of the training programme is a social responsibility initiate geared at creating a forum where teachers from partner schools can share ideas on improving self and effectiveness. The programme was held in partnership with other private schools in Lagos.