Pershing Hills promises self-expression, confidence among children

Pershing Hills Elementary School, a designed Montessori citadel of learning has promised self-expression and confidence among children.

This was at the opening of Pershing Hills Elementary School’s new site in Lagos.

Chairman, Board of Trustees, Pershing Hills Elementary School, Ewaen Sorae, said, “We have invested in Pershing Hills Elementary School because we think this is important to build the next generation of leaders. The school is a foundation for the students because great countries like China and India invested in education and are reaping the benefit of education today and I think it is very important that we need to understand in Nigeria the impact education will make in the life of our children.”

According to him, as a bedrock of education, they thought it was best to start from the nursery and primary school. I think at this stage Montessori education is important where the kids can experiment and learn by themselves so if we can get it right between the age of 4 and 12, it is actually the best time to learn and develop kids.

Former first lady of Lagos State, Abimbola Fashola, said that education should be about critical thinking and expression and self discovery for the children.

She stated that learning in the montessori environment starts from birth to age six which is referred to as the “Absorbent Mind” period. This is the stage when children learn faster and more efficiently with retention. Whatever children learn at this stage: activities and academics become part of them and whatever knowledge is acquired can be applied to other facets of learning.

Fashola explained that to aid assimilation, children need to be taught in a prepared environment; an environment that is serene, and pleasing to the children. We have put in place structures, and facilities with consideration to serenity to enhance assimilation and comprehension of what is being taught by the stalwart teachers.

The school noted that the prepared environment is made ready by the teacher to facilitate rapid assimilation and to encourage the interest of the children in learning. “We understand that every child has unique capacities and we have identified this to take children within their capacities through the educational voyage to get the best of them.

“Children also learn a lot from their caregivers as they model good behavior to them, both consciously and unconsciously. This we have incorporated to ensure that pupils inculcate upstanding ethics and are well-mannered in society.

“We prepare children at all levels to become independent and hyper-intelligent amongst their pairs and society. At Pershing Hills, we understand that all children and parents have different needs and interests, hence, our commitment to working with parents to ensure their children achieve the necessary developmental milestones that will help them thrive in the years ahead,” the school noted.

A parent, Funbi Aderoju, expressed her experience, “my daughter has been attending this school since she was seven months and I can say she has grown in this school. She is excited about the new facility and she is talking a lot more, the teachers have been instrumental in her growth. The teachers and the management staff of the school are very interested in the growth of the kids and I see genuine interest in the staff like emails and calls when my child is absent.”

Pershing Hills Elementary School offers North American Montessori Curriculum, International Primary Curriculum, French Immersion, High-Quality Montessori material, Excellent Feedback Loop, In-curricular and extra-curricular activities, Experienced faculties, Exciting Afterschool Activities, A safe and secure school environment, Inclusive learning, Mixed age grouping, 3:1 Child to caregiver ratio and fun summer camp program.

From L-R: Wife of Former Minister of Information & Culture, Lolo Stephanie Ofonagoro; Group Managing Director Opes Venit, Ewaen Sorae; Member Board of Trustees Opes Venit, Iyobosa Sorae; Wife to Former Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola; Mrs Martha Bamiyi; Head of School, Violet Shoba Ubah and Saxophonist, Beejay Sax, during the Opening of Pershing Hills Elementary.