Oyo has set standard for secondary school promotion – Commissioner

T HE  Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela, has said that the issue of mass promotion in secondary schools in the state, which has portrayed them as mass literacy programmes centres at external terminal examination, has been addressed.

He stated this in his message at the 2017 matriculation ceremony of Ibadan City Polytechnic (ICP), Alakia/Isebo road, Ibadan, last Saturday.

Olowofela said the government had set a good standard for promotion this year, which will be improved upon from time to time. He said all various steps taken were to collectively reinvent the pacesetting status of the state and to sustain its enviable educational and intellectual status.

The commissioner, who was represented by Mrs B. T. Oyinloye, deputy director, higher and continuing education, appreciated the management of ICP for its contribution to the development of education in the state and the nation at large.

The chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, in his speech charged the new students to dare to be different by embracing the sound education being offered them by the faith-based institution, and to also develop their character.

“Whatever and who you become when you leave this place will be dependent on these two things. When you leave this institution and you do well academically and you don’t imbibe the morals and values you are taught, then you are of no use to yourself, the institution and your family,” he said.

He advised the matriculates to desist from childhood behaviours and attitudes, saying “whatever you did when you were in secondary school is not expected here. We expect a higher level of concentration, participation and understanding from you than you had in your secondary schools.”

He gave kudos to the proprietor of the school, Mr Amos Ajanaku, management, council and the entire staff for providing a good academic environment for nurturing Nigeria’s great future leaders.

The rector of the institution, Mr Oladayo Makinde, congratulated the matriculating students on starting another journey in life, and advised them to choose to be godly and exercise their freedom within the context of the rule of law, as stated in the students’ handbook; warning them that violation would attract immediate and appropriate disciplinary action.