As Oando Foundation unveils educational packageSTUDENTS from public secondary schools in Lagos state have seized the opportunity of the Children's Day anniversary (May 27) to convey various messages to the state government on their expectations. While they praised Governor Raji Fashola's efforts to correct many imbalances in the public schools, they are also united in their views that more needs to the done, and very quickly too.For instance, they asked the state government to make the provision of more Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment in the various schools a top priority. The children, who spoke at the Police College grounds in Lagos, where Fashola was present to review their parade, also asked for more science teachers, sporting facilities, adequate security and laboratoriesMaster Yakubu Kabir, from Millennium Secondary School, Iloro, Agege admitted that his school has been a beneficiary of the free textbook project of the Lagos state government. However, he wants Fashola to note that his school still needs more textbooks, especially in subjects such as Biology and Chemistry.Besides, he declared: 'How can we be competitive when we have no knowledge of ICT' We have little or no access to our ICT laboratory and even then, only 12 computers are functional and that is not enough to go round all the students. For now, we only learn from notes. I have not done any practical work in school with the computer.'A student of the State High School, Ikeja, Mohammed Yahaya said his school 'is virtually in need of everything.' His words: 'we don't have enough classrooms, no science laboratory, no chairs, no computers, no windows'.Esther Paul, from ISIU Senior Grammar School, said her school needs a gate for security purposes, more classrooms, sport facilities, and equipment, especially for the science courses. 'We have just one Biology laboratory in my school and it's not working. We have teachers, but they are not enough. Presently, we don't have teachers for History and Islamic Religious Studies. We have not had History lessons since I started SS1.'Another student from Eko Junior Grammar School, Okota, Chinedu Amaregbu, said his school has no field for sport activities. Besides, he wants the state government to provide more teachers and facilities for learning. And for parents and guardians who prevent their wards from going to school, Amaregbu wants the governor to get them arrested and prosecuted.Patience Asika from Iju Senior Grammar School said: 'Government is doing so much for my school through the Eko project and I can confidently say we are much better than some of the private schools. We excel in competitions and can compete favourably with our mates from other schools'.Asika also encouraged parents to take advantage of the free education policy in Lagos state by sending their wards to school. 'Without education, their children will be useless, so education is the best gift they can give to their children,' she affirmed.Nimota Abdul from the same school, advised the state government to provide qualified teachers to concentrate on Mathematics and English 'to solve the problem of mass failure in public examinations and improve the academic performance of students in public schools.'Addressing the children, Fashola pledged the commitment of the state government to continue evolving programmes that would equip them for global competitiveness. He, however, reminded parents of their responsibility towards the upbringing and development of their children. The governor, who was decked in Boys' Scout attire in solidarity with the children, described the event as a double and special anniversary for Lagos state, as the state attained the age of 45 years, having being created on May 27 1967.He said, 'For us in Lagos state, the celebration is not just a platform for commemoration, but to also appreciate our children as our leaders. I therefore consider it mandatory to commemorate the Children's Day and pledge my continuous commitment to making education a priority.'Everyday, for me, must be a child's day and not just May 27. This anniversary provides an opportunity to assess ourselves, examine how well we have done and receive our report card from you (children). I am confident that the children will not let us down if we do not let them down'Fashola assured the students that the government was working relentlessly to improve the quality of life for them.He said: 'Currently we are upgrading our public schools with the necessary facilities to make learning more conducive and productive, I want to urge our students to look after the facilities and put them to good use, remembering that all the facilities were put in place by their parents' taxes'.He pledged to increase access to technical and vocational education for those who would like to become engineers, artisans and technicians by providing the tools needed. Those with special needs, he assured, will not left out.Also, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, who used the occasion to officially flag off the registration of Primary 1 pupils into the state's public primary schools, said the state would continue to exploit the enormous potentials inherent in children, to adequately prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century.She pledged that the state would also intensify efforts to improve on teachers' welfare while working tools will be provided on a continuous basis.Meanwhile, the Oando Foundation, an independent charity organization, has disclosed plans to adopt 100 schools across West Africa by 2015. The authorities of Oando Plc, who took time off their busy schedule to mark the Children's Day with over 500 children drawn from Idi-Oro, Archbishop Taylor, Metropolitan and Temidare primary schools all in Lagos,, gave the children something to remember for a long time.The event featured motivational speakers drawn from Oando volunteers' programme, seasoned educationists, quizzes on current affairs, nutritional talks, exciting games, dancing competition andThe Director of Oando Foundation, Ms. Tokunboh Durosaro said: 'We understand the role that education plays in human development and poverty alleviation. At Oando Foundation, we are committed to providing tuition, infrastructural development and learning aids to improve the acquisition of quality education in Nigeria. We are also interested in getting involved in ensuring that special days are made a memorable experience, as part of the overall development strategy for these children'.According to her, the foundation plans to embark on an aggressive strategy to provide teaching aids, teacher training, renovation of infrastructure as well as assist the schools in partnership with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and the School Based Management Committee (SBMC).She said: 'We realized that some of the teachers have not been trained for a while and we believe that it is only through training and retraining that the teachers can be exposed to current trends and teaching methodology that would enhance teaching and learning in the schools'.As part of the ' Adopt a School' scheme, championed by the Lagos State government to encourage private sector investment in the state's education sector, she noted that the foundation also intends to provide the schools with computers and teaching aids to make learning exciting and fun.'We are now in the world of ICT and without computers, how can the teachers effectively impart knowledge.We will provide the schools with new teaching aid technology, as part of our vision to give back to the society where we operate,' she added.According to the foundation's Director, the ' back-to school' programme commenced in 2007 with the aim of assisting out-of-school children or those who cannot afford tuition fees to acquire formal education. The programme currently supports 100 pupils from their host communities.She further explained that the foundation was established in 2011 as an independent charity, borne out of the desire by Oando Plc to further contribute to societal development over and above the implementation of community projects directly related to the company's core business operations.The foundation initiatives are currently split into two focal areas such as education and special projects. Eighty per cent of the funds available to the foundation are expended on the primary education programme, while the remaining 20 per cent goes to special projects that are designed to address key societal issues.Representing Somolu Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Mr. Joseph Olaniran praised the organization for adopting the schools and empowering the teachers calling on other organization to also assist in reaching out to more school in the state.
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