The old students association of the United Secondary School, Agugu, recently completed the tutorial programme it organised for their Alma mater’s graduating class in preparation for the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and National Examination Council Secondary School Certificate Examination (NECO SSCE).
In the same vein, the association inaugurated the renovated and equipped library and laboratory complex of the school.
The event, which was held in the school premises, had in attendance parents, representatives of the old students led by Pastor Osuolale Peluola, and the school management.
At the event, an alumnus, Dr Muyiwa Adedeji, who addressed the attendees on behalf of other members of the association, explained that 65 SS3 students took part in the 2024 Tutoring Programme; however, 30 students registered for the May/June 2024 WASSCE; noting that the low turnout for the registration spurred him and some people to register them for NECO SSCE.
‘’Against this background, I reached out to a few family members, friends and colleagues of mine to assist. I was able to raise N1,265,000. Mr. Busari Maroof Olusegun (a member of the 1986 set) provided additional financial support of N240,500. In total, the sum of N1,505,500 was available to financially support SSS3 students to register for the 2024 NECO SSCE,” he said.
Dr Adedeji highlighted effective targeting and sustainability as the fulcrum of the programme, hinting at a decision made to ensure parents of the students make half payments of the NECO registration fees while the remaining balance was footed out of the total pool of N1.5 million.
He added that ‘’We have provided financial support to 60 SSS3 students (54 at USSA and 6 at Community Secondary School (CSS)) to enable them to register for the 2024 NECO SSCE. We made half payments for 25 science students at USSA (N400,000); 13 commercial students (N188,500); 16 art students (N232,000). The total for USSA is N820,500.
“In the case of CSS, we made half payments for four Art/commercial students (N58,000); and two science students (N32,000). The total amount allocated to CSS was N90,000. The total for the two schools is N910,500. The programme has a balance of N595,000, which will be used to provide financial support to SSS3 students to register for WAEC/NECO in 2025.”
Professor Francis Fasanu, an alumnus, in his address, commended the alumni body and everyone who contributed to the success of the exercise, imploring the students to harness the opportunity availed them.
The principal, Mr Kamal Adio, equally expressed gratitude to the old students for the gestures, adding that the parents need to coordinate their wards in preparing for the examinations to ensure that the funds expended are not wasted.
The head boy, Joshua Kilanko, appreciated the old students on behalf of the SS3 students, assuring of their commitment to the examination and willingness to come out with flying colours.
A parent, Mrs Comfort Jaga, who prayed for the old students, expressed joy at the gestures.
Also speaking at the event, the Coordinator of the 2024 Tutorial Programme, Comrade Taiwo Salawu appreciated the cooperation of the alumni body and school management in ensuring the success of the project.
With 65 students as beneficiaries and at a cost of about N3.5 million, the likes of Dr Olumuyiwa Adedeji, Professor Francis Fasanu, Comrade Taiwo Salawu, Pastor Osuolale Peluola and Rasheed Ademola, with the support of a number of old students (particularly teachers), and nine school teachers, the old students were able to introduce the maiden edition of the three-month tutorial programme.
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