All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) has advised school principals in the country to steer clear of partisan politics in the interest of quality educational development.

The president of ANCOPSS, Muhammad Ibn Musa, gave the advice at the opening of the mandatory continuing professional training (MCPT) for the teaching professionals in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Musa, however, said that school principals should partner with governments to actualise dreams of education developments in their states.

He said the school principals do matter a lot, adding that, “the way schools are led is more vital than ever before, and if school leaders were to sharpen their skills as they must, they need the talent to do it and this critical mandatory professional training is provided like no other.

“The school principal must work to create a safe, supportive and inclusive school environment where students, teachers, and staff feel valued and respected.

All these can be adequately provided if we collectively maintain the tempo of professional development of our members”.

The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who declared the programme, said that the state government recognises school principals as critical stakeholders in the delivery of quality education in the state.

Represented by the secretary to the state government (SSG), Prof Mamman Jibril, the governor assured that his administration would sustain efforts at improving the standard of education in the state.

He said his administration would continue to partner with both local and international organisations to take public education to a greater level in the state, especially, in partnership with the school principals.

In his remarks, the chairman, North Central Zone of ANCOPSS , Mr Ogiri Christopher, had appealed to the Kwara State government to assist schools in the state with running costs, especially in the face of fuel subsidy removal.

Christopher said that the meager Parents Teachers Association (PTA) levy being collected could no longer meet the needs of schools, particularly, in the face of fuel subsidy removal.

He asked the state government to regularise the disparity of salaries between the secondary schools and basic schools staff to avoid discrimination and frustration which can stand as a barrier to effective teaching.

In her speech, the chairman, Association of Retired Veteran Principals of Secondary Schools of Kwara State, Dr Omowumi Oloyede, commended Governor AbdulRazaq for various investments in education sector which she said is yielding positive results not only in the education sector but including welfare package for the retirees as beneficiaries of the N10,000 monthly palliatives.