The Permanent Secretary Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Michael Omolayo has called for better administrative competence among the Principals of public secondary schools in the State.
Omolayo who made the call at the interactive session with the Principals of secondary schools in Ekiti said competence will lead to efficient school management and improved learning outcomes.
He explained that Principals are the Accounting Officers of all Schools and the head of the management team in the school system.
He noted that there are noticeable gaps in the management of schools among principal officers, noting that some School Principals do not involve their vice principals and Bursars in management decisions, thereby running the school incorrectly without involving relevant stakeholders.
“Management decisions should be treated in files and approval issued appropriately before carrying out any expenditure in schools and verbal approval is not acceptable”.
He explained that Principals must always give written approval of all expenses carried out by the bursars using a procurement system and guided by the public service rules.
He opined that capacity building is necessary for Principals, Vice Principals, Bursars and other principal officers in the school system.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Bureau of Central Internal Audit (CIA), Mr Babatunde Adesola charged Principals to recognize their roles of authority and coordinate all the affairs of the school noting that all schedules of duties must be defined with delegations.
He admonished Principals to be leaders by example and tasked Bursars to keep all financial records of authorized expenditures appropriately.
In his address the Tutor General for Ekiti Central, Martins Ilori highlighted some of the duties of Principals to include, ensuring the system of accounts in schools is strictly followed and making adequate provision for the safe custody of the school’s balances and other assets.
In his response, the Ekiti State President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Victor Amele said ”as leaders, we should be patient and careful in handling school issues, I promise on behalf of others to be more alive to our responsibilities and to reciprocate government good gesture”.
