The Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has commenced a three-day residential strategic management retreat for its Board and Management staff, aimed at repositioning the commission for improved service delivery through excellence and strategic innovation.
The retreat, themed “Rebranding the Teaching Service Commission through Excellence and Strategic Innovation,” was designed to refocus staff on professionalism, accountability and innovative approaches to teacher management.
Addressing participants, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, described the retreat as a turning point for TESCOM, noting that teaching remains a noble profession that shapes the future of society.
“The theme of this retreat resonates deeply. Rebranding requires introspection, innovation and commitment to excellence. By rebranding, we will boost our credibility, showcase professionalism and build trust with stakeholders,” Alli-Balogun said.
He urged staff to embrace a strong brand identity capable of unifying the workforce, fostering pride and creating a shared sense of purpose across the commission.
The commissioner identified key focus areas of the retreat to include holistic teacher training, curriculum development and strengthened stakeholder engagement. He encouraged participants to learn from best practices, share experiences and develop a clear roadmap for success anchored on accountability, transparency and measurable results.
Alli-Balogun further charged participants to engage actively, collaborate, challenge assumptions and reposition TESCOM as a beacon of excellence that would benefit students, teachers and the wider education community.
In her keynote address, the Chairman of TESCOM, Mrs Mopelola Peregrino, said the commission must be known not only as an administrative body, but also as a centre of professional excellence, a hub of innovation in teacher management and a trusted partner in educational transformation.
She noted that the reputation of the commission would ultimately be shaped by the quality of its decisions, the efficiency of its systems and the integrity with which staff carry out their duties.
Peregrino called on participants to embrace innovative approaches, foster inclusive learning environments, leverage technology to enhance teaching and learning, and support continuous professional development.
She urged the commission to move beyond routine administration to strategic management, where ideas are encouraged, pilot initiatives are supported and successful innovations are quickly scaled.
“To rebrand the Teaching Service Commission successfully, we must commit to people development, process optimisation and the modernisation of workflows for greater efficiency and impact, while aligning departmental goals with measurable outcomes and strengthening public trust,” she said.
Peregrino added that the retreat should mark a turning point for renewed commitment to excellence, strategic innovation and collaborative efforts to build an institution that commands respect and delivers value to the education sector.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head, Public Affairs Unit, Olaoye Olusegun, the opening ceremony of the retreat was attended by the six Tutors-General and Permanent Secretaries from the six education districts, as well as the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Hakeem Shittu.
The three-day retreat was formally declared open by the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Establishment, Training, Pension and Public Service, Hon Oladele Ajayi.
