Those who conceived the idea of the Charleans in the Diaspora Annual Achievements Awards did not know how impactful it would be. Today, the gesture has taken another dimension as this has given hope to many indigent brilliant students but despondent about furthering their education beyond secondary school.
The idea was conceived by a group of old students of Saint Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, Osun State, who are in the Diaspora. They felt that apart from giving back to their alma mater, there was the need to boost the morale of students and teachers.
The second edition of the Diaspora Annual Achievements Awards which was held on the premises of the St Charles High School, Osogbo, Osun State, brought together government officials, school principals from various schools in the state, parents, old students and all well-wishers.
The award has transcended from just being an annual festival to a destiny- moulding event.
At the last event in Osogbo, the capacity-filled hall was agog with warm smiles, intermittent fellowship hugs, clappings and dances, as some awardees, parents and well-wishers could not hold back tears of joy when they were called up to receive awards, plaques and accolades.
62 students and teachers were recognized, while some of the students went home with N50,000 individually as prize money.
The Principal of the school, Mrs. Olubunmi Tinubu, was full of praises for the organizers of the award. According to her, the event came at the right time, considering the fact that some of the indigent students whose hope of having tertiary education would have been truncated got a life line.
While many believe that the reward of teachers are in heaven, Tinubu affirmed that the Diaspora awards have shown that teachers are appreciated and “teachers can see that their labour is not in vain, knowing some people are watching and appreciating them.”
Tinubu said with the Charleans in the Diaspora’s gesture, “the students know that they are not stranded in life.”
Tinubu, who was upbeat, disclosed that there was an attempt to frustrate the programme , but it turned out to be a success.
On the impact and positive effects of the award on the school, she affirmed that “I remember the joy among the teachers when I announced that the Diaspora Charleans would sponsor students for WASCE 2019. They danced and were happy as they all would not want any of their students not to write the exams.
“Early morning teaching, which the Charleans in the Diaspora members are paying for, has received a boost. More attention is given to the practical classes, more students come early to school. Many of our students have obtained the UTME forms too.
“The award is a tool in the hands of the staff to counsel students to behave well. We told them that an indigent student who is either a truant or not serious with his/her studies will not be recommended for the award. It’s really an encouragement to the entire school.”
She said the spirit of support from the alumni of the school who are domiciled outside the country have not only been inspiring the students and the teachers alone, it has also aroused corporate organizations within the community to become education advocacy partners, adding that the bank that keeps the donated funds from the Diaspora joined us by donating a new printer as an acknowledgement of worthy partnership.
In thanking his fellow Diaspora members who always respond earnestly to every such clarion call, the Charleans in Diaspora President, Engr. Yemi Ajijolaiya, said that the annual achievement award was not about the old boys or the association, but the spirit of nurturing genuine zeal for meritocracy in the children of today, so they can evolve and support in building our nation tomorrow.
According to Tinubu, the award has made the Ministry of Education to realise that the old students associations are really helping the government.
“Forms had been given to schools to enumerate the contributions of such. I think the government plans to encourage them.
Recognizing how the simple gesture from the old students’ association has brought further goodies to the school and the students, the principal disclosed that Zenith Bank came around to give a printer to the school because the bank drafts for WASSCE was purchased from them.
“The money sent from the Diaspora members was domiciled with them and they acknowledged it.”
The Ministry of Education was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, who incidentally graduated from St. Charles Grammar School, Charlean Lanre Olashun, alongside some other old students.
Kolade Oluwaferanmi (SSS 3 class) and Egbinade Victor (SSS 2 class) hauled many awards to the admiration of parents, teachers and students. Egbinade Victor was the star that is expected to haul many more awards next year. Olatidoye Ikmat (an old student), who had the best result in 2018 WAEC result, was also present to receive her award. One important highlight was the fact that many of the award recipients were girls.
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