The Nation Newspaper

Tag: secondary school

  • 240 girls gain career insights after secondary school

    About 240 fresh public secondary school graduates have benefited from career counseling, courtesy of the Christopher Kolade Foundation’s SHE initiative for the girl-child in Lagos.

    During the event, which held last Friday at Zone Tech Park, Gbagada, the pupils were exposed to career counseling from various experts in the engineering, financial services, law, IT, medicines/biological sciences fields, while they also enjoyed break-out sessions with professionals in their would-be careers.

    The participants, made up of pupils, who graduated from 10 public schools in Lagos in 2018 (Cohort 2) and 2019 (Cohort 3), learnt useful tips from Mrs Abimbola Shopeju, Deputy Managing Director at Lumos Nigeria about how to get jobs and develop the right attitude for success.

    Speaking on “Skills for Success in any Career: Distinguishing traits of the best job candidates”, she shared how her first job as a student in the United Kingdom motivated her to work even harder to attract better offers.

    “When I got my pay slip at the end of the month, I thought ‘so for all the work I just got this little!’ I knew I had to work hard.  I told myself that this school that my parents have sent me to, I’d better do well so that I can get a better job.  While you look forward to whom you want to become, also look at who you cannot be. Ask yourself whether the life you are living today will make you better than your parents,” she said.

    In an interview, CKF Chairman, Mrs Beatrice Kolade, said the career planning conference was a valedictory programme of sorts for the participants, who are moving to the next stage of their lives in which they would make decisions about their future careers.

    “We normally hold valedictory programmes for our school leavers.  We train them to know that this is not the end of their lives. They have to choose careers,” she said.

    Underscoring the training of the girl-child, she said: “If you train a girl-child, you have two advantages – when she becomes a mother, she will train her children.  I am from a family of 10 and we were eight girls. I was the first.  That made me learn the advantages of having girls.  If my parents were alive, they would tell that the girls took care of the family more than the boys.”

    On her part, Managing Consultant, CKF, Ms Omobola Lana, said the facilitators selected for the programme were seasoned professionals practicing in their various careers that could inspire the girls.

    She said the Foundation’s programmes had impacted the pupils in various ways, including the use of technology more.

    A participant, Adenike Ikumapayi, who finished from Estate Senior Grammar School, Ilupeju, Oshodi, said CKF programmes has made her more confident and focused.

    “I was at SHE for a year.  I gained a lot of experience.  I used to be very shy.  But now I am bold and can face a crowd.  I also learnt a lot about technology,” she said.

  • Foundation donates to secondary school

    A Foundation, Kaffy Charity Foundation has donated chairs and school desks to Ojodu Junior Grammar school during its Cultural Day ceremony which held in the school premises recently.

    Humanitarian award was also presented to Mrs Omowunmi Olufunmilayo Dickson the CEO of Kaffy CharityFoundation in recognition of her  generosity  and paying back to the society with the name of her Foundation Kaffy Charity Foundation.

    Receiving the donation on behalf of the school, Ojodu Junior Grammar School and Ojodu School Complex, Mrs Sadare J.O noted that the Cultural Day event is a way of promoting the Nigerian culture and also thanked the Foundation for dimming it fit to donate to the school.

    Sadare however urged the public to “always give back to the society from what God has blessed them with most especially in the educational system because government alone can not do it.”

    Mrs Dickson however expressed her profound gratitude to the four principals of Ojodu Junior and Senior High School and all the firvenment official there present for the Award of Distinction that was awarded to her.

  • 52 almajiri for secondary school

    Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has admitted 52 almajiri, who graduated from Tsangaya Model Primary School Gantsa to Science, Arabic and other conventional junior secondary schools.

    SUBEB Executive Chairman, Alhaji Salisu Zakar, disclosed this in an interview with reporters on the condition of Tsangaya school designed to integrate Almajiri into formal system of education.

    He said 29 of the graduands have memorised the Holy Qur’an, and that they could read it by head, while others memorised some parts that they could also read.

    Zakar, represented by a Director, Malam Garba Ubandi, added that the graduands were eligible for admission into any junior secondary school.

    He noted that the Federal Government initiated the programme of Tsangaya schools in 2012 with pilot programme in Jigawa and some other northern states.

    “We have six Tsangaya  schools comprising four in Model One and two in Model Two, and we will have more graduate by next year,” he said.

    Ubandi stated that the programme has started yielding fruits, promising to work more for the expansion of the scheme across the 27 local government areas in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) national headquarters.

    “We have written and forwarded request to UBEC for intervention in o some little challenges in the program which include: renovation and construction of additional classrooms and hostels among others,” Zakar said.

  • Osun holds callisthenics competition for schools

    The Osun State government will  hold callisthenics competition for primary and secondary school students. The sport was introduced into the state school system by Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Briefing reporters in Osogbo, the state capital on the event, Mr. Yaya Ademola, one of the team leaders revealed that the history of engaging Osun State youths in calisthenics display will not be complete without mentioning the immense role played by Governor Rauf Aregbesola who decided to introduce and engaged thousands of students of secondary schools in athletic fitness and youth leadership programmes. The aim was to enable them to cope with various challenges of life as they grow up.

    Ademola noted that since the introduction of callisthenics in public schools, performances at various anniversary celebrations had been restricted to about 15,000 pupils from schools in Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas, adding that the approved template gives opportunity to selected public schools in all the nine federal constituencies as well as interested private schools to participate.

    According to him, participation is voluntary. “The government will only be responsible for the training and competitions which will hold in two stages, at the senatorial level among teams representing federal constituencies and at the state level between the first-place teams at the senatorial level competition.

    “In addition to trophies, plaques, medals and certificates for the participants, prize monies of N1,000,000; N750,000 and N500,000 will be won by the first, second and third place teams respectively at the senatorial level competition.

    “By November this year, the 1st team in each of the senatorial level will compete for N2, 000,000; N1, 000,000 and N750, 000 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions respectively. The prize monies will be used by the authorities of the combined participating and the host schools for the development of their sporting facilities and activities,” he said.

    He further said as the state anniversary is fast approaching, where the students will put up a superlative performance, all hands are on deck to prepare the teams for the celebration.

    “Callisthenic is very flexible. It all depends on creativity. At our levels, displays take two levels, field composition and background display. Activities at the federal constituencies to the senatorial competitions are only based on the field compositions.

    At the state level on the anniversary day, a background display consisting of rows of pupils seated in a gallery at Osogbo Township Stadium will be forming captions of different words and patterns, speaking to the competing teams in the main bowl.

    “The background will not be competing. It will only add flavour and glamour to complement the competing teams and entertain the audience. At another level, the field composition could also play background role to form different words and captions. Display can involve from a few dozen up to thousands of persons exercising in unison.

    “Callisthenic takes away pupils from average and below families away from harmful and out-of-school vile engagements into joyful and healthy activities, especially in the absence of other healthy exercises in our schools.

    “It teaches discipline, co-operation and teamwork. It conditions the pupils to be physically and mentally sound. It brings participants from various backgrounds and orientation together in a happy atmosphere” he said.

    Ademola noted that “the target is to institutionalise callisthenics into our schools curriculum as an integral part of processes to mould a complete new man/woman that is imbibed with tools he or she needs for daily application of life such that he or she will be completely educated in soul, mind and vision.

    “Group Calisthenics endow the participants with acute sense of precision and organisational competence. Without unison and accuracy, the outcome of their efforts will not be plausible. Participants imbibe all the elements that make up a disciplined life; promptness and punctuality.

    “Should a dozen participants be late to training, not to mention being absent, the entire training for other participants is endangered.

    “Co-operation, team-work and unity of purpose is at the heart of the calisthenics arts and is imbibed as healthy, life-changing virtues by participants through the course of their training. Calisthenics is the only single extra-curriculum activity that infuses in participants the desired ethical contents of all-round education,” he said.

     

  • New school opens in Abuja

    The GAAT International School, a co-educational day and boarding institution for crèche, nursery, primary and secondary school education levels, has opened for academics in Gudu, Gaduwa District, Abuja.

    The school’s state-of-the-art facilities, which include air-conditioned classes, well-equipped sick bay that  offers 24-hours service, science and technology laboratories, water treatment plant and boreholes, well furnished auditorium and swimming pools, was dedicated last week by Ven Ukaejiofor Vicar of Sir James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja.

    Chairman, Board of Directors of the School, Senator Ikechukwu Abana, said he was motivated to establish the school, not necessarily for financial gain, but to provide quality education for young ones.

    He said the tuition fees were pegged at far less than those schools of comparable standard.

    Abana also said the school was part of his social responsibility to create employment and conducive environment for youths to realise their potential.

    Other clergymen at the event included: Ven. Princewill Iraba of All Saints Church Wuse; Rev. Elias Fatile also of St. James Church Asokoro and Rev. Adeola Oyeniyi of Christ Church, Garki, Abuja.

    Dignitaries included Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ossy Obienica (rtd), AVM Anene Okafor (rtd), Senator Ugochulwu Uba, Chief Dennis Anekwe, Chief Sir Dozie Ekpe, Group Capt. (rtd) Segun Kushalu, and Chief I.K. G Nwozo.

  • Ekiti promotes 6,993 secondary school workers, 2,590 council workers

    The Ekiti State government has promoted 6,993 teaching and non-teaching workers in public secondary schools and 2,590 in local governments.

    Chairman of the State Teaching Service Commission, Chief Abiodun Falayi, who gave details of the promotion, said it affected 3,963 teachers and 1,586 non-teaching workers.

    Falayi, who regretted that the Ayodele Fayose administration inherited what he called abnormalities in cadres, un-harmonised structure as well as inaccurate nominal roll and seniority list, said several complaints were considered and rectified during the promotion.

    The agency chief noted that issues about adjustment of inter-cadre transfer and conversion were settled.

    According to him, the interview was decentralised in six zones for administrative convenience and to ensure that it did not interfere with academic activities in schools.

    The Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission Mr. Sola Omotoso said the promotion was meant to motivate workers as well as engender efficiency and effectiveness in public service.

    He urged workers to live up to their responsibilities and support government’s efforts to improve the public service.

  • Makoko community demands health centre, secondary school

    Makoko community demands health centre, secondary school

    Makoko, a riverine community in Lagos has sought the government’s help in developing the area. It is appealing to the government to help in clearing canal and building a health centre and secondary school.
    At a briefing yesterday, Makoko Community Development Association (CDA) chairman Chief Kayode Bamidele, said the community needed a bridge to link Adam Manuel Street, Makoko with Ishola Street at Alagomeji.
    “There is no other thing that we need now from the government than the clearing of the canal which has become a threat to the community. The canal has weeds all over and it is a threat to the job government is doing on our roads. With the clearing of the canal, people will live peaceably, the roads will not be damaged and our good health will be guaranteed.”
    Residents, he said, usually travelled to neighbouring communities for medical attention since there is no health centre in Makoko.
    He said land had been bought for the building of a health centre, adding that they were waiting for the government to take up the project.
    The community, he said, had three primary schools and no secondary school, adding “Our students travel miles to other communities to go to secondary school. This is risky. It is better for pupils to attend schools in their community, to avoid the stress of going and returning from school. We have land for government to build secondary school here, all we need is for them to come to our aid.”
    On Makoko Day, Bamidele said it was the community’s way to showcase their diversity and cultural heritage.
    “Our community consists of all tribes, including Egun, Igbo, Hausa and Ijaw. We are known as a fishing village due to the large concentration of Egun whose major occupation is fishing. There is no major disagreement among the tribes in the community, we live together as one family, having no tribal, political or religious crisis,” he said.

  • Secondary school pupils get success tips

    A leadership development expert Mr Moses Emorinken, has charged pupils of Okota Senior Grammar School, Okota Lagos to define who they are rather than being defined by their situations.

    Emorinken said all men aspire to greatness but only few take steps in actualising it.

    He spoke on the theme: “The future is now, dare to dream” at a mentoring programme organised by Brand Phase Empowerment Initiative for the SS3 pupils who are at present preparing for their West African Senior School Leaving Certificate Examination which is to hold soon.

    Emorinken identified three types of people-those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who do not know what is happening.

    He added that it neither mattered where they were born nor what they have to contend with to be successful, noting that allwhat is most important is scaling obstacles and achieving big dreams.

    He said: “Immense your energy in positivity. Let your actions show you who you are. You need God, humility, persistence and determination to survive in this era,” he said.

    The school Vice Principal (Academics), Mrs Bolanle Gbemile, urged participants to identifying their problems and solving them.

    She said: “There is a way you can meaningfully approach your problems so that they can be defeated.”

    One of the pupils, Daniel Moses said: “Even though I hate to read, I have been motivated to read harder. I know nobody can stop me except myself.”

    Another pupil, Aina Bunmi said: “From henceforth, I have embraced humility. Usually I get angry when given advice. Today I drop that and embrace this positive change.”

     

  • Let’s fix unemployment from secondary school, says expert

    Let’s fix unemployment from secondary school, says expert

    An International Relations consultant, Prince Micheal Osinaike, has called for collective efforts by secondary schools to solve Nigeria’s unemployment problem.

    Speaking at the 20th anniversary of Excel College, Ejigbo, Lagos State, last Saturday, Osinaike advised that the curriculum should challenge pupils to identify their vision and aim to fulfil it from secondary school.

    “Unemployment is one critical issue that can be addressed by educational institutions. Tertiary education is important, but the formative stages of building a youth starts from secondary school. That is the age a person needs to understand the dividends of labour and basic moral principles.

    “The academic curriculum should not be reactionary, but proactive to cater to the demands of the changing world. What the world needs today is problem solvers, not problem analysers. How do we help children study the course that helps them become what they are passionate about? Let us begin to raise students from here, who will tell us how to produce electricity from waste, rather than lament about consistent power outage,” Osinaike said.

    He cautioned parents to choose  secondary schools with care since their wards spend the longest period of their educational lives there.

    “The children spend longer time in secondary school, so where you take them for those six years is very critical. They determine if they enter university and join cult; the kind of grades they would aim to achieve. So if a child’s character is not formed from secondary school, it is improbable that he will make significant change in life.”

    Osinaike said the problems facing the labour market stemmed from graduates’ lack of skills, irresponsibility, inability to meet deadlines/identify opportunities.

    In tandem with the guest speaker, Principal of the school, Mrs Kehinde Oke, said: “Education should not be pure academics. Government should aim at developing the skills of these children so they can become job creators after secondary school. Here, we believe that everybody is talented so we encourage them by teaching them vocational skills like cloth/bead making, photography and others, right from JSS 1.”

    Meanwhile, the glamourous ceremony featured dance, ballet, music and other renditions by pupils of the school; as well as the launching of the school’s 120-page magazine, The Excelite, and presentation of awards to workers, parents and pupils.

    A parent in the green, red and blue themed hall, Mr Demola Adedayo, said four of his children attended the school – with the fourth currently in S S 3.

    “I like the school, because it is moderate and considerate. The standard is equally encouraging and promising,” he said.

     

  • A case for secondary school commission

    Outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Isaac Adewole faced the Senate on Tuesday for his screening as a ministerial nominee.  When asked what he would do if he were given the education portfolio, one of the things Adewole spoke about was a commission to oversee secondary education in the country.

    Many educationists have raised the issue in the past.  Some have even called for an agency similar to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to help raise funds for secondary education.  It is a welcome development that Adewole thinks of it as an important initiative that needs to be put to action.  He said presently, secondary education is like an orphan.  It is indeed true considering that the primary schools and junior secondary schools have the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) which manages and disburses two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue of the Federal Government for use in the primary education sub-sector.  The money is matched with grants provided by state governments and used to build/refurbish infrastructure, provide learning materials, train teachers, and address other needs in the nine-year basic education level (six years of primary education and three years of junior secondary education).

    At the tertiary level, the universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have the TETFund as well as their various regulatory bodies – the National Universities Commission, NUC, for universities; the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for polytechnics; and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) for the colleges of education.  The TETFund manages education taxes paid by the private sector.  The taxes are disbursed to the institutions to use in similar manner as that of UBEC funds.  Managers of many tertiary institutions publicly acknowledge that without the crucial grants provided TETFund they would not have relevant infrastructure to train their students.

    Like the tertiary institutions, secondary schools need a regulatory body, as well as a funding institution – since the government can no longer do it alone.  Public secondary schools in particular are in dire need of help.  Yearly we complain about the poor performance in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).  Perhaps a commission would focus on how to address the challenges secondary schools face in education service delivery and position them to do better.

    A secondary school commission would be better positioned to monitor quality assurance.  Perhaps it could enforce some sort of carrying capacity in public secondary schools, particularly the Federal Government Colleges, so that they are not forced to admit much more than they can cater for.  For instance, many of federal government colleges in city centres like Lagos are so overpopulated one wonders how they manage to deliver on quality. Their principals are usually under immense pressure from people in high places to admit pupils they do not have spaces for.  Yet, the Federal Government does not release adequate funds to them on time and in the right quantity.  As a result, parents are being overburdened to undertake capital-intensive projects to expand facilities.  A funding agency for secondary schools could help to lift this burden.

    The commission would benefit all secondary schools in the sense that they would be able to benchmark standards, monitor the adherence to the national curriculum, and carry all players along – like in the tertiary sector.