The Nation Newspaper

Tag: school

  • School guard in dock for ‘raping’ teenage pupil

    For allegedly raping a 17-year old pupil at a school library, a security man has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrates’Court.

    Emeka Nwabunwane, 30, was said to have forced the girl (names withheld) to have carnal knowledge of her on July 13.

    He allegedly lured the teenager to the library under the pretence of giving her a Biology text book.

    Nwabunwane after luring the girl into the library, allegedly attempted to strangle her when she refused to pull her clothe.

    He was said to have threatened to stab the victim if she refuses to cooperate and had struggled with the girl such that she was weak and defenceless before defiling her.

    According to the prosecutor, Corporal Adeleye Oluwafemi, the offence contravened Section 258(2) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, claimed that the victim was his girlfriend.

    Presiding Magistrate P.E. Nwaka admitted him to bail in N150, 000 with three sureties in like sum who must deposit N50, 000 each at the Chief Registrar’s account.

    He ordered that the case file be transfered to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, and adjourned the matter for DPP.

     

  • School honours former pupils

    Not many secondary schools have reason to recall all their former SS3 pupils after graduation.

    But Mandate Private School, Akesan, a suburb of Lagos, gathered them at the African Sun Amber Residence in GRA, Ikeja, Thursday last week to celebrate their outstanding performance in the May/June 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    The worst result of the 20 candidates was seven credits. Eighty per cent recorded between five and eight distinctions and credits in all subjects taken including English and Mathematics.

    For Rev Sunday Attah, MD/Chief Executive Officer of the school, the result was worth celebrating even though none of the candidates won the N50,000 prize he had endowed for anyone who made nine distinctions.

    He said that their success was proof that the school is on the right track in insisting on hard work and rejecting examination malpractice.

    He said though the stance came at a high price – with pupils withdrawn to other schools that offered ‘help’ during examination, and some 22 SS3 pupils that would have graduated with the champions expelled for registering for the November/December Senior School Certificate Examination (for private candidates) – he did not regret it.

    Attah said: “I want to address the champions. I am happy. If you had failed, you won’t know this place. I want to appreciate you. When you started in JSS1, the number was more than this. When we became hard on exam malpractice, many left the school but you remained. But I tell you that 80 per cent of my friends, whose schools engaged in examination malpractice, did not get their results. We have struggled but we cannot trade where we are for anything.

    “You believed in us and you were able to come out in flying colours. This is the first time that out of 20 students that wrote only two had seven credits. The others had mostly distinctions. One person had eight distinction; over 10 people had seven distinctions.”

    He told the champions to be good ambassadors of the school by continuing to work hard.

    “If you can keep trusting God in your own little way and face your books instead of Facebook, and come out with a minimum of 2.1, you will not look for job,” he said.

    Admonishing the scholars to keep up the culture of hard work in the university, Pastor Nelson Ayodele, whose firm, CEO of Standard Mandate International (SMI), helps the school to initiate improvement strategies, said excelling at that level would affirm that the O Level success was no fluke.

    “Go out there to the university and make a first class. Let them know that the eight distinctions you made is no fluke,” he said.

    In his speech, Chairman, Board of Governors, Pastor BiodunTawede said Mandate is beginning to reap the reward of making God its foundation.

    “The foundation of this school is through Christ and that is why we are seeing results. This is not how it was years ago. It is God’s doing,” he said.

    Principal of the school, Mr Victor Olwatoye said the good performance came as a result of quality teaching, mentoring and intense monitoring of activities of teachers and pupils.

    Attesting to the degree of hard work ahead of their examinations, many of the scholars said they were well taught.

    Dolapo Adigun, who made eight As and Bs and one C, said the hard work was worth it.

    “The teachers are very good. They prepared us fright from SS1. Our school was strict about exam malpractice but we all did well. Even those schools that helped their students did not perform as well as we did. They failed papers they needed,” he said.

    Thanking the school for the dinner, Isiaka Olanrewaju said it would motivate those coming behind to perform even better.

    “I feel this is a good way of encouraging students because those of them that saw us coming for this dinner are already looking forward to this event next year,” he said.

    The night ended with the celebrators, dressed in black and gold digging it out on the dance floor. After working so hard to make all their O Level papers at one sitting, they thought they deserved it.

  • FCT School principals urged to be effective leaders

    The Secretary for Education, FCTA, Mallam Kabir Usman has admonished principals in FCT schools to be effective leaders if they are to meet desired results of imparting knowledge and good moral character to their students.

    The Secretary made this charge at the second  International Best Practices  Retreat for  School Principals, Proprietors and Administrators  organised by the Exam Ethics Marshals International in Accra, Ghana.

    In his keynote address titled “Leadership Skills for Principals” for which he received a prolonged standing ovation from principals and education administrators from several African countries, Mallam Kabir Usman said that principals must always lead by example and not be afraid to “jump into the fray” if they are to win the respect and loyalty of their teachers.

    He also said that the FCT Education Secretariat takes the process of appointment of school principals very seriously indeed and has always ensured that whoever is appointed as a principal has all the prerequisite academic qualifications and leadership qualities.

    He emphasised that a principal must first of all be a teacher as the position of  a principal is simply an elevation to an administrative capacity. No principal or school head should therefore not be able to handle himself well in the classroom

    He also listed some qualities which all effective school principals must imbibe. They include the ability to communicate, the ability to listen, to be easily accessible to staff and students, to be able to meet challenges effectively, to be able to propose and implement laudable initiatives, to be team player and be flexible and adaptable to change.

    The consequences of leadership failures in the school he concluded will lead to students not reaching their full potentials and eventually become victims of social vices. Unleashed into the larger society he said, these students will bring “nothing but grief to all”

  • Mind Builders School exploits talents

    Mind Builders School exploits talents

    Gifted hands”, the theme of the 2013 concert and Prize Giving day of Mind Builders School, Omole branch came to play as the pupils entertained parents and well-wishers with various presentations that displayed their singing, dancing and acting talents.

    There were ballet dances, drama, instrumentals, among others presentations which got the parents applauding.

    In her speech, the Education Director, Mrs Bolajoko Falore counseled parents to celebrate the non academic talents their wards exhibit.

    “Academic brilliance is not the only gift that children have but most parents focus on it with passion forgetting that there are many other gifts,” she said.

    Speaking similarly, the school’s Administrator, Mr Olatunde Opeyemi urged parents to give their wards the opportunity to exhibit their talents as all children are gifted.

    He said: ”A lot of these children have potentials in them which we need to un-leash and build. Gone are the days when we believe everything is about reading, pass examination. There are some people that are perfect in music, creative arts and some in the area of football. Let us expose them so that in the future they would have something to fall back at, even if there is no job. “.

    Awards were presented to pupils in all the classes – from the playgroups to primary for their outstanding academic performances.

    The parents and teachers were not left out as some were honoured for their support and commitment to the school. The Parent of the year was given to Mrs Olubukola Arikawe, Executive Director, Field partners limited and Managing Director of clean Academy.

    The event was sponsored by Ayoola food ltd the maker of poundo yam.

     

  • School owner gives account to parents

    The first graduation and prize-giving of Satoif Montessori School, Itele-Ota, Ogun State offered the right avenue for stock-taking. Most importantly, it was for parents to give their assessment of the school.

    The proprietress, Mrs Toyin Adamolekun praised parents who entrusted their care and upbringing of their children with the school.

    Mrs Adamolekun said the school will continue to uphold the right values, and ncourage excellence and competition by rewarding those that distinguish themselves.

    “This school was founded because of the compassion we have for the young ones. Many kids roam the streets today without aim because they are neglected and uncared for. We develop the child academically, morally and socially so that they are useful to the society when they grow up. When you take a look at the facilities that we have and the fees we charge, it is obvious that we are here to serve the children. We are celebrating them today; we are rewarding those that distinguished themselves and also graduating the first set of pupils from the nursery to primary class,” she said.

    She enjoined parents to invest more in their childrenToyin .

    “If you give them (children) education without taking care of their moral, social and spiritual aspect they will lag behind. When parents neglect their wards, the children learn from the society and most often, they pick the wrong influence and become vagabonds.

    “So many schools are after the money but we are after service. We also created a parents forum, where we educate the parents on what they need to know about their children and encouraged them to dedicate time for them as it helps us to get the best from them,” she said.

    One of the parents who also doubled at the Mother of the Day, Mrs Adebolanle Adekunle, said: “Sincerely, we are happy and proud with the passion and commitment of the school in training our children. The environment is conducive with good teachers dedicated to the training of the children. Little wonder my daughter is always longing to be in the school even during the summer coaching. Another parent, Mrs Felicia Agbonigiator added that the school is living up to its name.

    “So far, Satoif is doing great, setting a standard in Montessori school. The best legacy parents can give their children is education and Satoif is helping us to achieve that,” she said.

    “The school ensures your child comes home with load of assignments so you do not have a choice but to go through their work. So the school is helping us to be engaged with our children. Parental care is important to complement what the school is doing,” she noted.

    The pupils also entertain their parents, guests and staff of the school with playlet, choreography and special rendition in French among others.

     

  • Babcock High School holds 18th graduation

    Babcock High School holds 18th graduation

    The 18th graduation and award of babcock university High School (BUHS) Ilishan-Remo, Ogun state at the school’s new Olu-Efuntade Hall.

    The outgoing pupils, resplendent in their graduation outfits, presented a song at the event.

    Prizes and awards were presented to pupils who distinguished themselves in all the classes.

    Education Director, West Central Africa Division of the Seventh – Day Adventist Church Prof Ikonne Chiemela who was the guest speaker presented a keynote address on The contribution of infrastructure, diet and environment to academic success.

    Chimela pinpointed infrastructure, diet and environment as three factors which could influence a parent’s choice of enrolling their wards in a school.

    He said: “Infrastructure, diet and environment are among the features that influence the choice of a school by parents and their children. The reason is that these features have been conclusively shown to either strengthen or weaken academic success.”

    He urged parents to give their wards the best they can afford.

    “Education is the master key to all forms of human development. It could therefore be considered as child abuse when parents send their children to schools in substandard environment. Our children are our greatest treasure and we should give them the education that will holistically empower them to reach the peak of their potential,” he said.

     

     

    Principal of BUHS Elder Adetayo said the 153 graduands comprising 71 females and 82 males, said the set renovated the Fountain of Grace Chapel chapel in the school premises, with air conditioners to give their juniors a befitting place of worship while the senior students worship in the newly constructed Olu Efuntade Multipurpose hall.

    Expressing joy the principal said “For the first time we are having this graduation inside a covered building because before, we have been using canopy and right now we are comfortable. Secondly this particular set have surprised us a lot, they have brought so many honours to the school by wining so many competitions which has added value to the school.”

    Vice-Chancellor Babcock University Prof J.A. Makinde who was represented by deputy VC and Provost, College of Health and Medical Sciences Prof Iheanyichukwu Okoro, congratulated the grandaunds and offered them advice.

    He said: “For you to change the world you will first of all change yourself, you will soon become alumini. When God has blessed you, do not forget the school, come back and give to the school your all.”

     

  • My rival happens to be my younger sister’s classmate in secondary school

    Hi Aunty, I am Lucy from Ibadan. I am dating a guy who says he loves me but he is dating another girl and whenever she is around, he tends to avoid me. Whenever I tell him that I can’t share him with anybody that I want to end the relationship, he will then apologise and say if he didn’t love me, he wouldn’t have introduced me to his parents and that I should try and understand that he is dating her because of me and this girl happens to be my younger sister’s mate in secondary school.

    Oh yeah! So he’s dating her because of you. Really? Many years ago, whenever our fathers wanted to take a second wife, they would announce that they were getting a helpmate for our mothers – somebody to help wash plates and clothes around the house. So, your boyfriend is getting you a helpmate even before marrying you. That’s n-i-c-e!!

    My dear, you’re the one he’s avoiding here, not the other girl, which means that she’s the favoured one and the one whose emotions need to be protected. You’re the one who would understand and you’re the one he’s not afraid to lose even if you know. Forget about him introducing you to his parents. It is possible he has introduced her to them too with some explanations about why he’s about to dump you.

    From the tone of your mail, I could see that this other girl doesn’t live where you and the guy live. So while she’s away, he needs a human blanket to keep him warm. You can decide from now on if you want to play the second fiddle or you want to move on. It’s really not wise fighting over this guy, so move on if that’s what your mind is telling you.

  • Ayefele donates N50m hall, books to school

    Ayefele donates N50m hall, books to school

    APPARENTLY irked by the deplorable state of his Alma mata, Yinka Ayefele, on last Thursday made a donation of 5000 big notes to Ipoti Community Secondary School in Ipoti Ekiti where he left 28 years ago.

    The popular musician also laid the foundation of a N50 million multi-purpose hall for the use of the school and the community.

    Earlier in her speech, the representative of the state governor, Dr (Mrs) Eniola Ajayi, the Commissioner for Environment said the state want kind hearted indigenes of the state that can come back and improve their community to complement the efforts of the state government.

    “The government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi has done a lot in terms of turning the fortunes of the state around. The government has done a lot in the areas of education.” She said.

    The event which comes up at the school premises was attended by the Chairman of Ijero local government, Hon. Bode Agbeleye, the newly installed Onipoti of Ipoti Ekiti, HRH James Oladipupo Kolade.

    Ayefele enjoined members of the community to always give back to the community saying “It is not that I’m very rich but I believe that the little I can contribute will still go a long way in making some impacts” he said.

    Reacting to the gesture, the Principal of the school, Mr. Bolarinwa Rufus Taiwo thanked the donor and enjoined other old students of the school to emulate Ayefele.

  • ‘Schools can issue transcripts same day’

    The thorny issue of transcripts processing came to fore during the maiden lecture by the Registry unit of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), with the lecturer, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo recommending an overhaul of the process.

    Speaking on the topic: “The Registry and its Place in the administration of higher institution”, Prof Banjo said it is possible for transcripts to be issued same day if registries of universities would speedily address requests by students.

    The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan lamented that the tedious process of obtaining transcripts has often resulted in the loss of admission opportunities.

    “It ought to be possible for transcripts to be offered within 24 hours of application, and no one should have to appear personally to collect it,” he said.

    He said the Registry plays a crucial role in handling of students’ request and enquiries right from registration to the end of their studies. As such, the student’s first impression of the university is formed through their experience at the Registry during registration.

    Banjo expressed displeasure at current practice which makes it compulsory for former students, who urgently need their transcripts to be physically present to process them. When this happens, he said the love that such alumni should have for their alma mater are weakened, resulting in negative attitude to the institution.

    Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of FUNAAB’s Governing Council, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, also faulted the practice, describing it as unacceptable.

    He said most universities issue certificates to deserving students on graduation day, adding that ‘Statement of Result’ is not acceptable anymore.

    “If you treat the students as friends during the processing, they would want to come back to assist the university,” he said.

    Reiterating his administration’s commitment to the training of workers, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, disclosed that the Registry Lecture Series is aimed at broadening the intellectual horizons of the workers to be more productive.

     

  • Ekiti Deputy Governor, Fayemi’s wife, monarch, others teach in school

    Parents have been advised to visit their children’s’ school from time to time.

    Such visits are not only to monitor the progress of their wards but also to encourage teachers and compliment their efforts at preparing the children for a better future through secular education.

    The advice was given by the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu in Efon Alaaye-Ekiti yesterday at the second edition of “Reading Parents Initiative.”

    The event was held at the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB Model Nursery and Primary School, Efon Alaaye.

    Noting that children usually feel happy and attentive when they see their parents in school premises, she enjoined parents to come and read comprehension passages to the pupils and even teach them any other subjects they are good at, adding that the aim of the Reading Parent Initiative is to encourage reading culture among pupil and as well foster more cordiality between the parents and the school.

    Prof. Adelabu also urged literate parents not to limit such activities to when they visit the schools alone but to also read to their children at home while advising unlettered parents to let the older siblings who can read well read to the younger ones so that the dying reading culture among pupils will be resuscitated.

    The Deputy Governor, the Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, the Alaaye of Efon Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare, Commissioner for Culture, Arts and Tourism, Chief Ronke Okusanya and some other government officials went into various classes to read and teach comprehension to the pupils.

    Prof Adelabu told reporters after teaching the pupils that she is naturally and professionally trained as a teacher.

    She described the reading parent initiative as quite interesting and educationally benefiting to both the pupils and the parent as it affords the parents the unique opportunity to teach.

    She also expressed her delight at the way the pupils read the passage, responded to questions thrown at them and expressed themselves without grammatical errors.

    According to her, it was an indication that the efforts of Fayemi administration in the education sector is already yielding expected result.

    Mrs Fayemi praised the state government for the programme which she described as an arrowhead towards assisting the pupils understand comprehension passages and the use of dictionaries.