A 46-year-old primary one teacher at Army Barracks Primary School, Ikeja, Lagos, Mrs Oluwasanjo Elizabeth Adewunmi, has emerged winner of the second Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board’s (LASUBEB) EKOEXCEL Excellence Recognition Scheme, tagged, ‘Meet EKOEXCEL’.
It is a quarterly reward initiative that showcases pupil and teacher excellence using the pupil’s grade levels and teacher performances.
Adewunmi, who joined the teaching service as an Assistant Teacher in 2006, was adjudged winner, based on her outstanding performance, particularly, her devotion to teaching and improving her pupils.
She has proven herself to be a model teacher, who goes the extra mile for her pupils. During her free time, Adewunmi reviews topics taught in every subject, the learning objectives and pupils’ ability to understand them.
Adewunmi, also has a unique teaching method. Most times, she dances while teaching to make the learning atmosphere more enjoyable. When her pupils actively participate, she ensures the class cheer top performers.
She encourages the pupils that are falling behind to work harder, emphasising that hard work pays, adding that She prepares for the next day by previewing the next day’s schedule on her tablet.
She explained that she  began her primary school education at Rabiatu Thompson Primary School, Shitta, Surulere where she proceeded to Community High School, Adeniran Ogunsanya and obtained a Diploma in Educational Management from the University of Ibadan.
Adewunmi was deployed to Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja GRA as an assistant teacher for two years before gaining a Bachelor of Art in Education from the University of Lagos.
She received EKOEXCEL training in late 2020 and was transferred to her current school, Army Barracks Primary School, implementing the transformational initiative.
Commenting on her emergence, she described it as innovative and beneficial, saying: “The programme is the best solution the Lagos State government could have ever introduced into primary education. It maximises time and helps to make good use of a school day with the pupils in the teaching and learning. It also enhances teaching and learning. It is very detailed and encourages the pupils to be hardworking. The fact that pupils know how to spell and pronounce numerous words in primary one is a wonderful and amazing experience.”
She acknowledged her school’s assigned supervisor, Mr Ezekiel, for ensuring that teachers were on track and celebrated her fellow teachers.
Since its launch in 2019 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the programme has positively impacted pupils and teachers in the state’s public schools.