... Demands constitutional responsibility in education

… Old students give back to school with NECO sponsorship

… Education is a scam without creativity – Don

 

The Oyemekun Grammar School Old Students’ Association (OGSA), 1996 Set, at the weekend, urged the government against abandoning its constitutional responsibilities for public school infrastructure, even as alumni groups continue to fill gaps in educational facilities across the country.

 

The association’s president, Revd. Johnson Olaniyan, stated this during the 30th anniversary celebration and alumni reunion held in Akure, where he emphasized that government must complement rather than abdicate its duties to old students’ associations.

 

Olaniyan’s appeal comes at a time when many public schools across Nigeria are grappling with dilapidated structures and insufficient teaching staff.

 

While harping on the contributions of alumni bodies to educational development, Olaniyan stressed that government intervention remains indispensable for schools to achieve greater heights.

 

He noted that without the alumni association’s intervention, the state of structures at Oyemekun Grammar School would have been considerably worse, stressing the precarious dependence on non-state actors for basic educational infrastructure.

 

Olaniyan identified the shortage of qualified teachers as an area requiring urgent government attention, noting that many secondary schools lack sufficient teaching staff to adequately prepare students.

 

He called on government at all levels to recruit more qualified teachers and youth into the education sector to ensure students receive proper instruction.

 

“You look at most of our secondary schools; we don’t have enough teachers. Government can help in that capacity, recruiting more youth, more teachers, yes, more qualified teachers, so that the student will be well taught,” Olaniyan stated.

 

The president added that infrastructural development also requires enhanced and adequate government support, particularly for schools without functional old student associations.

 

On his part, the former lawmaker representing Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency and Global President of Oyemekun Grammar School Alumni, Afe Olowookere, revealed that 80 percent of the facilities currently operational at the school were provided by the alumni association.

 

Olowookere pointed to what he described as the government’s inability to meet the massive infrastructural deficits facing public education.

 

Olowookere, however, stated that “the role of the alumni has become so critical and important as a major stakeholder. I don’t see any school, public or private, that can survive without the active participation of the old students or the PTA.

 

The 30th anniversary celebration also featured the approval of financial assistance for children of deceased members, as well as sponsorship of NECO examinations for 10 students identified as diligent and hardworking in both their studies and character.

 

Organizing Committee Chairman Bankole Falowo described the gestures as part of the association’s commitment to giving back to the school community.

 

Delivering a lecture titled “Education is a Scam: The Way Forward,” Prof. Erin Olayinka urged students to pursue education with creativity and innovation rather than focusing solely on acquiring certificates.

 

He advised students to build communication skills; embrace creativity; and learn practical skills, including coding, artificial intelligence, and video editing.

 

“Don’t chase certificates alone; build competence. Depending only on certificates is a scam.”

 

He called on both federal and state governments to provide security for pupils and students, building systems that would enable learners to be comfortable and confident in their educational pursuits.

 

The school’s vice principal lauded the association for organizing the symposium and offering gifts that would positively impact students’ lives, while the senior prefect of the set, Abubakar Jelili, encouraged students to explore opportunities available at the school and eschew distractions that might hinder their academic progress.

 

Ebenezer Agene, speaking on behalf of the awardees, expressed appreciation to the alumni, stating that the gesture would spur them to greater diligence in their studies.