GOVERNMENTS have been urged to always consult secondary schools’ old students’ associations before appointing school principals for better growth and development.
Speaking during the 40th reunion activities of the 1981 set of Offa Grammar School in Offa recently, the national president of the school’s Old Students Association, Mr Bisi Salau, said that such consultation would play a significant role in the quest to improve the standard of education in the country.
“Government should always consult the old students of schools in the country before the appointment of the principals.
“Experience has shown that when former students are appointed as school principals, they show more commitment and dedication to the growth and development of their alma mater. This is because they believe they are part of the success story.
“We were shocked with the level of infrastructure decadence that we saw. You don’t expect us to upgrade the infrastructure when we are not involved in the process that produces the choice of leadership in the school.
“OGS old boys have always been up and doing and will continue to give back to their alma mater. That is why the school does not rely on the government or lack infrastructure.
However, proper maintenance of these structures has been the issue,” Salau said.
He also said that the school had produced great men like General Alani Akinrinade and the present Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, among others, adding that “there is nowhere you will go in the world that you will not find the OGS products.
In her remarks, the acting principal of OGS (Senior Secondary School), Mrs Adeoye Felicia Titilayomi, said the school had been blessed with old students who had continued to give back.
She particularly thanked the 1981 set for the huge donations to the school meant to improve teaching and learning.
Also speaking, Olofa of Offa, Oba Mohammed Gbadamosi, who was represented by High Chief Bode Onawola, urged the old students not to relent in their quest to make their former school great.
“I hope and wish you will continue in this manner to lift up your alma mater to higher heights,” the monarch added.
Responding, the deputy Governor of Kwara State, Kayode Alabi, who was represented by the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) chairman of Offa Local Government, Mr Adejare Olatundun, said the association should make its request for consultation formal by writing through the Ministry of Education to the state government.
He thanked them for their effort at bettering the lot of education in the school and state in general.
Items donated by the set included: two modern mowing machines, 150 chairs and lockers for the junior and senior secondary schools, cash support for teachers and repair of broken doors of six classrooms among others, totalling over N6 million expended.
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