The Nation Newspaper

Tag: pupils

  • Space science excites pupils

    With the recent inauguration of space science clubs in 23 primary schools in Lagos, pupils have been counseled to find joy in seeking new knowledge.

    The launch, which held at MD School, Oko-Oba, featured film show, reading session (Max goes to the Moon), quiz competition and robotic display.

    The Managing Director, UAC, Dr Tawanda Mushuku, who chaired the occasion, shared his experience while growing up with the pupils – telling them how his love for experimenting helped him to develop a passion for the sciences.  He urged them to begin to prepare themselves for successful adult lives.

    “I found passion in experimentation.  I did my Masters in Biotechnology and Chemistry.  Science is a study that deals with facts, processes, methods and it seeks to explain the processes the natural world uses in the disciplines of astronomy, biology, chemistry and physics.  It explains how things work and helps us to control the environment.

    “Remember five things: love to create things; understand the basics; build on the basics; be disciplined; excel in all subjects; and love and appreciate nature,” he said.

    Proprietress of the school, Mrs Omolara Adedugbe, said despite  spending a lot to host the event at the African Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology (English), she was happy that the activities of the club would spread knowledge to many children who would become professionals in future.

    She said: “When we found out that the centre would not give us a dime (to host the programme), we thought as a school that we should reach out to other children.  We decided we would not limit it to MD School.  We want children that are well informed,” she said.

    The Chief Scientific Officer of the centre, Dr Wunmi Alabi, said the space clubs would introduce children to how rockets are used to launch satellites in orbits, in outer space, robotics and Global Positioning System (GPS) as a tool to monitor criminal activities around the country and how to collect data with hand-held GPS units.

    “The school-based space clubs is one of such ways that is geared towards sustaining efforts in sensitising, educating and informing our young school children and students at all levels,” she said.

    She urged governments at all levels to encourage space technology in the school curriculum.

    Mrs Mildred Anabraba, a parent whose child attends MD School facilitated the relationship between the centre and the school.

    She told The Nation that she was inspired to introduce her son’s school to the centre’s activities because of what she learnt while serving at ARCSSTE as a corps member.

    “I think it provides a different way for children to learn.  When you expose them to something different, they can learn a lot.  Science is not difficult, in fact, it is engaging,” he said.

    The pupils enjoyed the reading session, which led to a short quiz of 10 questions about space technology.

  • Group donates sandals to pupils

    A missionary/concerned group, Project Care of Bible Baptist Church, Egbeda, has presented 571 pairs of school sandals to Primary I to Primary III pupils of Ebenezer Primary School and Egbeda Primary School, both at Egbeda, an outskirts of Lagos State.

    Initiator, Project Care, Rev. Beatrice Omolayo Egunleti, said no child should be without a pair of shoes in a community blessed with so much.

    The cleric spoke during the Children’s Day Celebration organised by her organisation for the pupils of Ebenezer Primary School and Egbeda Primary School, Egbeda, Lagos. It had as the theme: ‘Lend a hand for the less-privileged’.

    The missionary said there are dangers that come from walking the streets barefooted, stressing that children are at risk of injury and exposure to disease vectors such as bacteria and parasite, which live in the soil and dirty water.

    This, she said, was the motivation that endeared the non-governmental organisation to the children. “I talk with my people and we came up with a plan to provide school sandals for the children,” she said.

    Explaining how the programe came about, Mrs Egunleti said: “As I stood outside my home, watching several eager and bright eyed students hurrying off to school, my heart was filled with joy at this sight until I looked at their feet and saw many of them barefooted, which was replaced with a determination to do something about it.”

    She said the gesture would have been impossible without the permission of the school authorities.

    The cleric thanked donors who supported the project for their generosity. Besides, the volunteers gave their time and money to ensure the shoes match the children.

    Mrs Egunleti said the organisation donated the shoes with the hope that the society would one day create opportunities for everybody that no family will send children to school barefooted. “Until then, we  must not wait for others to help us, or think that ‘I buy shoes for my children, so I have done my duty’. We must remember that we are our brothers’ keeper,” she said.

    Responding on behalf both school, head mistress, Ebenezer Primary School, Egbeda, Mrs Juliana Asu, thanked the organisation for its kindness and hands of fellowship extended to the schools.

  • NGO fetes pupils

    As part of activities marking this year’s Children’s Day, Loving Gaze, a not-for-profit organisation with 25 years’ experience in Nigeria, celebrated with over 300 children from the Ikate Elegushi, Lekki, Jakande and Ikorodu communities at SS. Peter & Paul School with Ferrero’s support.

    The outfit’s Manager, Barbara Pepoli, said the event was to help the pupils relax.

    “This year’s Children’s Day for the first time gave us the opportunity to bring together children from across these communities to socialise and share a full day together. We believe that giving these children the opportunity to meet each other is the best seed for a future of harmony and cooperation,” she said.

    Loving Gaze has served the unprivileged community in Lagos and Taraba states, through educational activities, basic health care service, women empowerment and vocational training. It comprises 150 Nigerian who are professionals in varying fields, including Italian expatriates and international volunteers.

    “We have been taking care of these unprivileged kids in these communities for over 25 years through various educational activities in addition to basic health care services through the St Kizito Clinics in Jakande, Idi-Araba and Ikorodu. Our clinics run ante and postnatal services, two malnutrition centers and provide immunisation services,” Barbara added.

    She thanked individual and corporate bodies both local and international for their donation and support which she said has helped the organisation to cater for over 1,500 children in Lagos alone.

     

  • Edu District II celebrates teachers/pupils

    The Lagos State Education District II last week Tuesday, held its eigth annual merit award.  It was a memorable day for principals, teachers and students of the district who clinched one award or the other for outstanding performances in varying cadres.

    The annual event is set to encourage outstanding performance by both teaching and non-teaching staff as well as students in the district.

    Congratulating the awardees, the Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary Mrs Magret Solarin, congratulated the recipients whom she explained, must have gone through rigorous task before their emergence.

    “The joy of it is that you have all been identified and associated with altruistic traits such as diligence, innovativeness, loyalty, resourcefulness, resilience, honesty and high sense of responsibility. In essence, you have all been individually and collectively adjudged men and women; boys and girls of honour who are worthy of emulation.”

    Solarin also praised pupils of the district for their exemplary performance as reflected in their internal and external exams including quiz competitions.

    She, however, advised those who are yet to be nominated for the awards to brace up and strive for greater heights saying: “the reward of hard work is more hard work.”

    Solarin urged all to be security conscious considering the precarious security situation in the country.

    The Chairperson of the occasion, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised the Lagos State government for ensuring public schools in the state are attaining higher standards.

    And for the students, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye also saw light at the end of the tunnel.

    She said: “Tomorrow is there for them (students), the government is doing its bits. As much as they can do, they should continue to work very hard for their parents, for the community at large, and for the state government, while teachers should continue to work hard so that these children’s results get better.”

    Mrs Ogunniyi Abiodun from Oriwu Senior Model College Ikorodu, who won the best principal award (Senior Category) had this to say:

    “As a recipient of this award, I’m promising to continue to put in my best to move education in the state to the next level and be able to compete.

  • Retreat seeks quality education for pupils

    How to meet the knowledge need of Nigerian children with quality educational materials formed the crux of Learn Africa Plc’s training session and retreat in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, for its workforce.

    Over 50 of the publishing firm’s sales persons and senior managers gathered at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, on Monday.

    They brainstormed on how to enhance Nigerian secondary school pupils’ chances of gaining knowledge and also passing their examinations in key subjects such as mathematics and English Language via quality books.

    The participants went home with the conviction that those who impart knowledge must themselves be knowledgeable and that teachers, schools, policy makers on education among others, who would also make use of the books, are adequately reached and informed about the availability of such quality books.

    Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Learn Africa, Mr Segun Oladipo, said the meeting was to sharpen and broaden the mind of the sales operatives to enhance their capacity to respond to the market demands.

    Oladipo noted that as more children are being born, they would be sent to schools for training and would need quality educational materials for sound intellectual development, which is why Learn Africa is in business.

    He explained that the firm’s New Concept Mathematics and New Concept English have been assessed and adopted by many states including Ogun, Oyo and Kwara for use by their schools and students.

    Oladipo said: “As people are giving birth to children and they are being sent to schools, so also we need to train them, we sell knowledge and for you to sell knowledge you must be knowledgeable, we are training to sharpen the skills of our sales team on yearly basis,” he said.

    With books meant to be reviewed every three years, Oladipo said the workers need to be on top of their game.

    “The National Council on Education recommends that books must be reviewed every three years, that means as a publisher, you must come up with new books every three years and those books must be in line with the school curriculum, if you don’t do that, it means we are selling obsolete knowledge. For you to remain in business, you have to review your books,” 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.

  • Lawmaker distributes kits to SSCE pupils

    Lawmaker distributes kits to SSCE pupils

    No fewer than 1,035 pupils from seven secondary schools in Oshodi, Lagos have benefitted from the past questions on English Language and Mathematics from 2008 to 2013 distributed by Hon Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 1.

    The distribution, which would help the SS3 pupils prepare for the 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) starting this week, took place at Ikeja Senior Grammar School Hall in Oshodi.

    The schools are Bolade Senior Grammar School, Oshodi, Ewutuntun Senior Grammar School, Ewutuntun, Ikeja Senior Grammar School Oshodi, Oshodi, Comprehensive Senior High School, Oshodi, Oshodi Senior High School, Oshodi, Mafoluku Senior Grammar School, Mafoluku and Unity Senior High School, Oshodi.

    Hon Akinderu-Fatai, popularly called MAF charged the pupils to live up to expectation in the examination.

    “You are the hope of your parents. Remember they toil day and night to make you something worthwhile in life. You cannot afford to disappoint them; you should not allow their efforts to be in vain, so work hard and make them happy,” he said.

    Akinderu-Fatai, who chairs the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, told them to work hard to record good grades in the examination.

    “Success is not a thing you find on a platter of gold, you have to dig deep like gold miners; make sure you make good use of opportunity at your disposal by passing your exams with grades, good enough to qualify you for higher institution,” he said.

    Addressing the pupils, the lawmaker asked: “You all love to be president, governor, minister, lawmaker, architect, engineer and other big entrepreneurs in the society?” and they replied with a resounding “Yes.”

    “Then, face your studies; engage more in your books and not phones; watch more of educational programmes on televisions and not movies; stay focused and not distracted with evil things around and success will be yours,” he said.

    A new book on enterpreneurship titled: Johnny Profit written by Michael Malgeri with an introduction by Akinderu-Fatai was presented at the event. MAF will be using the book to pupils in public schools in Oshodi.

  • Pupils dedicate victory to slain students

    Herbert Macaulay (Blue) House, the winner of the third Inter House Sports Competition of First Foundation Private Schools, Kubwa Abuja has dedicated its victory to victims of Buni Yadi attack.

    According to the House Captain, Master James Odum (pseudonym), the attack by the violent Islamic sect Boko Haram which claimed the lives of 43 students of Federal Government College Buni Yadi, Yobe State in February, was unfortunate.

    The children called for better security for students in the country.

    The captain said: “Our teacher always informs us of what is happening around the world every day.

    “He came in one day and told us that 43 students were killed while sleeping in their hostels.

    “None of us was happy throughout that day and it’s unfortunate.

    “Some of my mates also told us other things about the attack which everybody has condemned.

    “Since then, we have been training hard to make sure that we get a medals in this competition so that we can dedicate it to the dead souls.

    “We are happy that we eventually won the competition and we are dedicating the trophy to the memory of those students that lost their lives untimely.

    “We want government to arrest the evil people that carried out the attack and also provide adequate protection for students everywhere in Nigeria.

    “We were also told that a plane with over 200 passengers has been missing. It’s our prayers that they find it.”

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Proprietor of the school, Mrs Zainab Adeleke had said the third edition of the event was meant to mentally and physically prepare the children for the challenges of the future.

    “We are aware that these impressionable children have to be exposed to sporting activities early enough to aid their growth.

    “Apart from being prepared mentally, the physical fitness of the children is also of great importance to their development in life.

    “That is why we always ensure that we don’t miss this opportunity because we discovered that the children are not only excited about the competition, their academic performance has also been on the rise since the inception of the games,” she said.

    The competition featured various athletic events in 100m; 200m, 400m×4 relay as well as Dress your Partner Catch the bus and Invitational Relay Race by invited schools.

    Pupils from nursery and primary sections of the school participated in the events to the delight of their parents.

    Obafemi Awolowo (Green) House took the rear position while Ahmadu Bello (Yellow) House and Nnamdi Azikiwe (Red) took second and third positions respectively.

  • Monthly allowance for Imo pupils

    Monthly allowance for Imo pupils

    Things are looking up for Imo State pupils. The state government is expanding its free education policy with the payment of a monthly stipend to secondary school students and pupils in all the public schools across the state.

    Secondary school students are to receive N500 monthly, while their primary school counterparts in all the government-owned institutions will get N300 each.

    Flagging off the payment and the distribution of educational material at the Owerri City School, the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, said that the Rescue Mission introduced payment of stipends to pupils and students to appreciate Imo children and give them a sense of ownership and participation in the affairs of the state and its resources.

    He said that the gesture would inculcate the culture of financial prudence in the pupils at their early stage in life and give them a sense of pride as stakeholders in the affairs of the state.

    “It is a way of saying thank you to our children for doing the right thing and this will encourage them and others to go to school,” he said. “And since the state is yet to commence the feeding programme in the schools, the payment of stipends will continue to be sustained as an alternative”.

    Aside from the stipend and distribution of school sandals, uniforms and other educational materials, the governor also launched the Parent Teachers Child Assessment Programme (PTCAP) and Mentoring Programme

    Okorocha explained that the PTCAP and Mentoring Programme were fashioned to create a platform for collaboration between the teacher, parents and the child to have a continuous assessment on the welfare of the child, with the view to ensuring proper upbringing of every child.

    While the mentorship programme is made of credible and accomplished individuals who have who have volunteered to provide moral and financial support to pupils and students and regularly visit the schools to discuss their common problems.

    The Imo governor appealed to teachers, principals and other heads of schools in the state to keep a communication line with the parents and the students in order to know the position of the child at any given time.

    He further warned them not to sell the materials provided by government but ensure that every child gets the school sandals, canvas, stockings and other materials.

    The Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere who is also the Mentor of Owerri City School commended the Governor for his special interest in education and welfare of the Imo child, assuring that he will pay regular visits to the schools and equally provide necessary assistance.

    On his part, the Secretary to the State Government and the Mentor of the State Primary Schools, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, enjoined the pupils to go through their school with resolve and determination to overcome every challenge of life.

    He assured them that with determination and hard-work, they will achieve success in their life endeavors.

    The wife of the State Governor, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha expressed joy that Imo children are being positioned to be future leaders by the present administration and commended the pupils and students for their good conduct.

    She said that government provided school uniforms, sandals, stockings and canvas to make the Imo child proud and appealed to parents and teachers to collaborate with government in ensuring a better welfare of the Imo child.

    Responding on behalf of the students of Owerri City School, Miss Blessing Nwele thanked the State government for the love shown to pupils and students by providing free education, school uniforms, desks and payment of monthly stipends.

  • Pupils urged to love Nigeria

    Pupils urged to love Nigeria

    The Eighth ‘We Are The Future of Nigeria’ (WATFON) was a show stopper that boasted of celebrities and professionals who inspired secondary pupils in attendance to renew their love for Nigeria.

    The event, one of the yearly events from the stable of Edumark, an education consultancy firm, was held at Oregun, Lagos. It featured various activities, including panel discussions, and colourful presentations by schools, speeches and awards.

    Highpoints of the event were the panel discussions, the first of which required the panellists to talk about “Looking back with wisdom…’things I wish I had known at 16’.

    Youth Arise Founder, Toyosi Akerele coordinated the session, which had dignitaries, such as Dr Leke Pitan, former Lagos Stste commissioner for health education; Mr Jimi Agbaje, a former Lagos State governorship candidate; Stephanie Okereke (now Linus), delectable Nollywood actress; and notable lawyers, Mrs Adeola Azeez and Mrs Lai Babatunde as panelists.

    Pitan said he was forced to study Medicine instead of Law, his first love. He counselled the young ones to follow their dreams and learn to discuss such with their parents so they are not pressured in a direction they do not want to go.

    From seeing the disastrous end of many of his peers who grew up privileged around him, Agbaje urged the pupils not to get carried away by their parents’ wealth but build their own lives.

    “I never knew children of the rich could turn out to be useless adults. Six or seven out of 10 children of the rich I knew growing up ended up doing drugs or committing suicide. Children of the rich must know that they have got to work and build on what their parents have done,” he said.

    On her part, Akerele warned the teens that they would be responsible for whatever choices they make in their lives and should not give excuses because of their background. She told of how she succeeded despite coming from a poor family.

    In the second panel discussion, the panellists, Prof Taiwo Osipitan, Mr Lolu Akinwunmi and Mrs Seyi Ifaturoti, all WATFON role models, dealt with the topic: “Loving a country you don’t like.”

    They gave reasons to the pupils why remaining in Nigeria is better than travelling abroad in search of the golden fleece, noting the favourable weather, youthful population and warmth of Nigerians as clear advantages.

    Rather than struggle to travel abroad at all cost and contribute to aging economies, the speakers encouraged the youths to shun corruption and dare to be different in Nigeria.

    “You need to learn to love Nigeria. Your country is the only place where the sky cannot be your limit; where you can express yourself. Shun corruption; be the change you want to see. Whatever you can do to stop corruption, please do it,” Mrs Fatoroti said.

    In light of the high level of corruption in the country, Mr Akinwunmi told the pupils to be willing to stand alone doing the right thing.

    “Do not be discouraged about doing the right thing; even if it seems you are alone. The opportunities are not there abroad. People don’t get the kind of jobs they would love to do over there,” he said.

    Convener of WATFON and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Edumark, Mrs Yinka Ogunde, who acted as MC for the event, urged the pupils to challenge themselves to come up with solutions to the country’s many problems.

    “Begin to see problems as opportunities. Do not go around with your eyes closed; think of solutions to them,” she said.

    Wife of the Ogun State government, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, who was special guest of honour at the event, counselled the pupils to be passionate about something and follow it up to fulfilment.

    In an interview, Aina Eniola of CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos said the event re-ignited his hope in Nigeria.

    “I have learnt about patriotism. Before today, I thought Nigeria could never change. But now, I feel there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.