The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Public school

  • Edo records 20,000 increase in public school enrolment

    Edo State Government said it has recorded 20,000 increment in the enrolment of pupils into public primary schools since it introduced the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation known as Edo BEST in April last year.

    It said the increment showed parents were withdrawing their pupils from private schools to public schools.

    Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Joan Oviawe, who spoke to newsmen in Bénin City, said the state government has built electronic database of all pupils in its school.

    Dr. Oviawe said the database including academic records now helped the state government track pupils and their movement from school to school.

    Oviawe states that additional 4600 would soon be trained as the state government expanded that the Edo BEST programme to 345 schools across the state.

    She noted that the tablets distributed to teachers under the Edo BEST have helped to exposed some teachers attitude to work and how long they stay in school.

    The SUBEB chairman said the Edo BEST attracted the attention of Facebook who has offered to build internet in some selected schools.

    According to her, “Under the Edo BEST, we have achieved a lot. We have trained 7000 teachers and distributed over 800,000 textbooks.

     “We have trained 11688 persons from communities where our schools are located to help manage the schools in terms of protection from theft and vandalism.

    “Edo has access about N9bn from UBEC and we are currently working on 232 schools. 56 of the schools are new while 2000 classrooms are being renovated.  We are in the process of procuring furniture.”

  • Public school pupils win N1.5m Chemistry prize

    It was celebration galore last Saturday for the Lagos State Ministry of Education when three pupils of the state’s public schools produced three winners in the grand finale of the PZ Cussons Chemistry Challenge (PZCCC).

    Tadese Fatai of the Abibat Mogaji Senior Secondary School, Iloro, Agege, Lagos State, won the first prize of N1 million while Augustine Iwuoha of the same school won (N500,000) for coming third.

    A third pupil, Zhejimatu Anthony of Festac Grammar School, FESTAC Town, came fifth.

    Pelumi Adegoke of Newhall International School, Lekki, came second and got N750,000. (New Hall International produced last year’s overall winner, Ogunmola Dara.

    Abibat Mogaji Senior Secondary School got laboratory equipment while the Chemistry teacher, Tolu Odusanya, got N250,000 for producing the winner and N150,000 for the second runner up.

    Teacher of the fifth place winner also got N50,000.

    This is the first time in the history of the five-year-old competition that a public school would win the grand prize – though public school participants have won second or third place in the past.

    The Permanent Secretary, Mrs Adebunmi Adekanye who was excited by the feat promised to present the winners, including Zhejimatu, to the Deputy Governor, Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule, who superintendents the education sector, for commendation and further recognition.

    It was, however, gathered that when informed of the good news, Dr Adebule said Pelumi of Newhall International School should be brought along with the others.

    Speaking of the victory, Mrs Adekanye noted that the feat achieved by the public school pupils was a result of the investment of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration in the provision of infrastructure and development of human resources in schools.

  • New E-centre helps public school pupils learn programming

    New E-centre helps public school pupils learn programming

    Five years after re-constructing Obalende Nursery/Primary School, Obalende, Lagos, ExxonMobil, in collaboration with some partners, have endowed the school with an ICT Centre that comes with relevant solutions.

    The school, and two others, Ansar Ud-Deen Nursery/Primary School, Ebute Metta, and Awoyaya Nursery/Primary School, Victoria Island, now boast of e-centres equipped with furniture, modems for internet connections, and computers uploaded with e-library resources and e-learning software – thanks to the Community Assistance Programme of the Erha North Phase 2 Project (EPC3) which ExxonMobil is undertaking with the NNPC and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).

    In addition to the facility, Crestsage Limited, implementing partner on the project, also trained 18 teachers and 60 pupils from the three schools to make optimum use of the facility.

    Its CEO, Mr Charles Emembolu, said at the inauguration of the centre that beyond providing a platform for the pupils to be computer literate, they would learn to use the computers to code programs.

    “The project leverages cutting edge virtualization technology with a high end server that hosts over 30 educational software and several other learning aids including an e-library management system.  Some notable programs include Scratch, HTML, BrainFriend amongst other educational bundles,” he said.

    To address the challenges of power supply, he added that an inverter had been provided that could ensure power for three days.

    Project Executive, ExxonMobil Affiliates, Mr John Unietis, represented by Mr Wale Bishi, Senior Project Manager, said the initiative would allow pupils from low-income homes to level with their more privileged counterparts attending private schools.

    “Today’s programme is yet another significant step we are taking in our quest to improve the quality of education available to our young ones through social investment in critical infrastructure required to equip them with the requisite skills for competing in today’s knowledge economy, especially from their early years.

    “By availing the young ones in these schools with modern facilities comparable to some of the best primary institutions in the country, we are enhancing their chances of competing on equal footing with their counterparts in those schools and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy in due course,” he said.

    Mr Utomi Ebodaghe of Aker Solutions Nigeria Ltd, which manages the EPC3 Project on behalf of the oil company, urged head teachers to ensure that the centres are put to regular use in the school.

    “We thank all the teachers who have been trained.  Please train the children.  It (the centre) is not for sightseeing.  Any one we see not having kids at any time using them, we will ask why.  It is for learning,” he said.

    Mrs Toyin Caxton-Martins, Executive Secretary, Ikoyi/Obalende Local Council Development Area (LCDA), thanked ExxonMobil for the initiative.  She was particularly excited that the pupils would learn to program.

    Head Teacher of the school, Mr Thomas Anyanwu, promised to ensure the centre is put to good use.

    “I made a promise that it can never be locked up.  ExxonMobil has promised that if we use it judiciously, they will provide more computers.  The children are very happy about the facility and always ask to use it,” he said.

  • Our experiences in U.S., by public school pupils

    Three pupils from public schools in Lagos who just returned a three-week all-expense-paid trip to the United States are hoping that their humanitarian projects will be beneficial to the society.

    The three SS2 pupils – Chidinma Uzoamaka of Kuramo College, Victoria Island; Chidibere Wisdom Chibueze of Agidingbi Senior Grammar Schol Ikeja; and Umar Babatunde Lateef of Eti-osa Community Senior High School, said they enjoyed themselves in the U.S. courtesy of the Pan Africa Youth Leaders and Youth Empowerment Programme, the NGO that facilitated the trip.

    Pan Africa Youth Leaders and Youth Empowerment programme partnered with the Fun Learn Resource Centre, an educational consultancy outfit, on the initiative which seeks out public school pupils for exposure.

    For this edition, which was the first, secondary school pupils were randomly selected and underwent series of aptitude tests, interviews and essays which eventually produced the three finalists.

    Sharing her experience, Chdinma, 15, said the trip afforded her the opportunity to take risks alone and take responsibility for her actions.

    “I will love to help the less-privileged, give them drinks and snacks occasionally,” Uzoamaka said, while explaining what her project is all about.

    Speaking on his project, Chidibere said: “I will love to have an after class programme for my fellow students that would tutor them more on what has been learnt in class. I know I cannot do this alone. I would have volunteers from other students too but I am hopeful.”

    For Umar, the trip exposed him to possibilities he can achieve.

    “I believe everything is achievable for me now if I have determination, diligence and I work towards it,” he said.

    Aside their projects, the pupil were engaged in other things ranging from volunteer services to social works.

    ”Our host family really helped us a lot, they helped us to learn better what we learnt at the everyday workshops,” Chidebere said.

    The Director of Fun Learn Resource Centre, Chichi Okereke, said the choice of participants from public schools is because of the belief that their pupils have lesser opportunities compared to their counterparts in private schools.

    The three beneficiaries, according to Okereke, emerged from within Eti-Osa local government and Ikeja District.

    Mrs Oladele Adelanke Olabisi, an English Language teacher from Agidingbi Senior High School added that the pupils are now better exposed.

    “I am very impressed by what Pan Africa Youth Leaders and Youth Empowerment Programme has done for students.

    “They have broadened their horizons and have made them think more highly than they would have ordinarily done,” she said.

    The Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary Education District VI Mrs Iyabo Osifeso, urged the organisers to continue with the programme.

    “The best effort is the one that comes from within, be focused, work hard and ensure that that the goal is achieved. Life is not about competition but showing help to the other person,” Mrs Osifeso said.

    Rhonda J. Watson, the public diplomacy officer, U.S Consulate-General Lagos said that the Nigerian education system should start breaking barriers, avoid being too rigid, noting that that is when students will learn more of qualities that will transform them as tomorrow’s leaders.

  • Public school pupils for Germany

    Eight pupils from some government secondary schools in Lagos who are members of the Climate Change clubs in their schools will be departing for Germany for a two-week training on Sunday, November 17.

    They include:Ukokalu Onyinyechi (Awodiora Senior Secondary School); Oluwade Abosede (Obele Community Senior High School); Adegbulugbe Ayomide (Badagry Senior Grammar School); Gbadegesin Joshua (Gbaja Boys Junior High School); and Ogunbiyi David Kayode (Federal Government College, Ijanikin). They won in the climate change quiz contest organised by the state government.

    Similarly, three others were rewarded by the state government for their impact on their environment.

    They are: Kehinde Omotayo from Community Junior Grammar School, Gberigbe, Ikorodu, who planted flowers in his school premises, sensitised people on climate change, and provided waste bins; Osiyemi Quadri of the Ajayi Crowther Senior Grammar School Bariga won an award for clearing blocked drainage on Deji Aladejobi road, Bariga; while Odutan Mubarak of the ArchDeacon Adelaja Senior High School, created a school garden for relaxation.

    In an interview when the group visited the corporate headquarters of The Nation in Mushin, Lagos, on familiarisation tour, David who is the president of the climate change club in his school, said he looked forward to visiting Germany because he wants to learn more about how citizens of other countries value their environment so that he can replicate same in Nigeria.

    Mubarak said he was going to Germany to acquire knowledge.

    “Climate change is a global issue. We should plant trees instead of felling them because a tree can absorb as much as 48 pounds of carbon dioxide that we emit every day, and release oxygen which we need into the air. That is why it is not good to cut down trees. Some tras inhale carbon dioxide from the ozone layers, so if we cut them down, it will be dangerous to our health,” he said.

    The project officer, School exchange programme, Ministry of the Environment (Climate Change Division), Mr Tiamiyu Oluwatoyin, said the pupils would join their counterparts in Germany to go on what he tagged ‘Eco tour’.

    “They will visit the Water Warf, attend classes with pupils about the same age as them, and learn conservation. They are expected to come back, compare what they saw with Nigeria and the impact on her environment.

    The Project Consultant, Mr Adeola Ijandipe, explained that the Climate Change club is aimed at raising environmentally-conscious youths as change agents against climate change and global warming.

     

  • Dansol surprises public school

    The Day of the African Child meant nothing to pupils of Ojodu Primary School I until Dansol Nursery and Primary School drew their attention to it.

    Select pupils of Dansol, a private primary school in the Akinyode, Ojodu, a Lagos suburb, visited the public primary that caters for the education of over 1,625 pupils with some of their parents and teachers to share the story behind the day and some goodies as well.

    They distributed school bags, exercise books, biros and Ribena drinks to all the pupils of the school, as well as their teachers and told them why June 16 was dedicated to the African Child.

    Mrs Love Ogundipe, Head Teacher of Dansol Nursery and Primary School said the decision to give out school materials to less privileged pupils in the public school was initiated because – like the South African children who died protesting poor education during the 1976 Soweto uprising – many children today still do not have access to quality education.

    “I was touched when I learnt that children were killed and many injured because they were asking for quality education. After so many years quality education is still a far cry. I see children going to school with nylon bags and I felt we should extend a hand of fellowship. Our parents contributed to the success of the programme and we also got sponsorship,” she said.

    Mrs Ogundipe urged the teachers to take good care of the children so their future can be assured.

    For the recipients, it was a very pleasant surprise. Many pupils who were not in school were called to come and partake of the largesse. The teachers and pupils described it as wonderful.

    Assistant Head Teacher of Ojodu Primary School I, Mrs Justina Oshun said they were surprised Dansol came prepared for all of their pupils.

    “This is beautiful; wonderful. They gave us a surprise package. Initially we were scared the bags won’t go round because our population is so high. But they had more than enough. They were patient. They waited; we have been calling those who were not in school to come,” she said.

    Head Teacher, Mr Adebowale Adaranijo, said the bags would come handy.

    “This is a welcome idea because there is no such celebration in public schools. The pupils need the school bags. This school is densely populated. It is the only public school that feeds localities around Ojodu up to Alagbole and Akute in Ogun State,” he said.

    Some of the pupils are already keeping the bags for their secondary education.

    An excited Titilayo Oyebanji, a Primary Six pupil, said her old bag will still be on duty until the session ends next month.

    “We thank them so much because we did not expect them to give us all that they did. I will use my old bag for this Primary Six and the new bag for JSS 1,” she said.

    After the distribution, Dansol invited pupils of the school for a celebration of the African Child’s Day held at the Dansol High School, where pupils from various schools paraded in the fashion of various African countries, and educated the audience about their culture, dance, food and the like.

    Dansol pupils represented Nigeria, Liberia, and Algeria; Ojodu pupils represented Kenya, while other schools represented Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.

    In her speech, Director of Dansol School, Mrs Adun Akinyemiju urged governments to ensure all African children have access to quality education and are protected from harm.

    “Until African children are given world class education irrespective of gender, creed or background, there will be no meaningful progress. I use this opportunity to call on the government of African nations to rise up to the task of protecting, defending and providing quality education for African children,” she said.

  • When public school becomes ‘His Excellencies’ hangout

    Have you ever imagined that Nigerian governors – of all people – would gather for a function in a public school, instead of their usually cozy five-star hotels or lavishly-decorated town halls?

    But the unusual happened recently at the Imaguero College, Benin City, the Edo State capital, when governors joined their colleague, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole on his 61st birthday.

    There were about 13 state governors, four former governors, and some Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), chieftains, led by its key national leaders- Chief Bisi Akande, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Also Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal was there, with the Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Aliko Mohammed. These eminent figures, with many others bantered on as they settled inside the Imaguero College hall. The occasion was Oshiomhole’s birthday lecture themed: Deepening democracy and enhancing public welfare.

    And why the choice of a public school for such a high-octane event when compared with other beautiful places in the ‘Heartbeat ‘state, The Nation enquired.

    “But is this a public school?” asked Comrade Didi Adodo rhetorically. “Of course, it is! Oshiomhole has changed the face of education in Edo State,” Adodo, a former commissioner in the state added.

    And true to Adodo’s remarks, the hall of Imaguero College is one of the shining testimonies of Oshiomhole’s Midas Touch. Its gleaming white and spacious interior makes it simply magnificent, for any occasion. Its stage, modified to accommodate a live theatre, reminds one the National Theatre in its hey days.

    No wonder, former Education Minister, Obiageli Ezekwesili scored the governor high in education and some other areas.

    Standing magnificently a stone throw from another mud block that would soon be pulled down, Imaguero Hall cut the picture of affluence which, to many, is out of place in a Nigerian public school. Imaguero – name of the school, in the native parlance means “I am not dubious” or “I no sabi wayo” in pidgin English.

    The cross ventilation actually rendered the air conditioner unnecessary. With the wide doors and windows, guests sat comfortably.

    Governors Rochas Okorochas and Rauf Aregbesola of Imo and Osun states, came in while Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state was giving his remarks. Aliyu exclaimed, “Ha, Raufu! Okorocha, you did not come for this lecture o. You came for the reception,” provoking laughter from guests.

    Adodo said education, health, environment and roads are Oshiomhole’s priority, adding that his government has done a lot to make positive changes in those areas.

    Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Isa Aremu said what he saw in Imaguero College could kickstart a revolution in public schools in Nigeria.

    “We are doing this in a public school, not outside Nigeria. It is time we changed the story of Nigeria,” he said.

    Oshiomhole recalled how he had led a protest against Tinubu on national minimum wage, how the workers wanted to throw stones at the former Governor of Lagos State, and how he had dared them to throw it, and they could not.

    He said, ” All of us here today are given the challenge to celebrate a person I can easily now describe as a junior brother, because of the quality of life given to people of Edo State, and the pride given to us. Tinubu said Adams is a tireless guardian of public trust who has made him and his party proud.

     

  • Public school pupil wins Felabration debate

    HIS victory was simply to demonstrate that products of public schools in Lagos can match their counterparts in private schools.

    And it was endless applause for Temitope Ejide of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, who beat nine other contestants in a debate tagged: Social Media in Africa: Is it good or evil? organised by the family of the late music maestro, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island, last Tuesday.

    Ejide won with 68 points ahead of Kemi Adeyemi of Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Ikeja, the first runner-up (58), and John Okorie of Army Children Senior High School, Ikeja Cantonment who placed third with 55.

    The schools of the top three winners were rewarded with a plasma television each.

    Felabration competition is an annual event put together by the family of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti in their father’s honour.

    Ejide’s feat hasb reaffirmed the Lagos First Lady Dame Abimbola Fashola’s confidence in public school products.

    Represented by a Director at the Ministry of Education, Mrs Mercy Olaoye, dame Fashola said: “I was so excited by the way the pupils spoke, especially the boy from Oriwu College. You can see that he was prepared, he had gone through a lot of research. I’m so happy that the state schools pupils are improving which means that there is a better future for the public schools.”

    Daughter to the late Fela Ms Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti said the competition, among other things, aims at building the young ones to become better leaders.

    Her words: “Felabration is a one-week event but we have included the young ones to bring them up to be better leaders instead of being corrupt. I’m happy a public school emerged winner this year and this shows that the government is doing well in education.”

    One of the judges, Mr Adebola Williams, said the debate was to display the innate creativity of the participants.

    “We have considered many things to pick the winners. To be sincere, the winners show all the required skills. This will help them to be orators. The debate will give these young ones the boldness to present issues and challenge issues as Fela used to when he was alive,” he said.

    Also a son to the late Fela, Mr Dotun Kuti urged the pupils to always give their best.

    Ejide who was rewarded with a capsule cell phone thanked his creator that his many years of burning midnight candles never went in vain.

    “Immediately I received the topic, I went in research of materials which could be of help. I consulted the Internet and some others useful materials. My daddy supported me. He explained many things to me and corrected my grammatical mistakes,” he said.