Why we won’t relent in promoting excellence at Oritamefa Baptist Model Schools —Adeleke

Revd. Dr. Diran Adeleke, Pastor and Chairman, Education Board of Oritamefa Baptist Model Schools (OBMS), Ibadan, speaks on the giant strides the school has taken to continue to excel. OBMS’ challenges of education among others.

How have you been able to cope, despite the state of the economy?

OBMS did not just appear suddenly as a school neither is it a creation of chance. The schools came into existence as a product of prayers, planning and policy. This is encapsulated in its vision statement: “To provide qualitative Christian-based education that will ensure the building of a solid foundation,  developing sound, moral, spiritual and academic life of the students for leadership roles in God’s service and the society.” This has been the strand that ties all issues, activities and programmes regarding the schools from its establishment in 1996, in spite of the ups and downs in the nation’s economic state.

What are the challenges currently being faced in the education sector?

Life without challenges is death and the educational sector cannot be exempted from having challenges. It is in overcoming challenges that opportunities open up. Thus, while others see challenges faced by education generally from national policies’ formulation, implementation, and human capacity issues, to general societal attitudes towards the need for rectitude, and moral and financial discipline, the board of OBMS sees those as “uplifting hurdles” that we endeavour to cross so gallantly. The Federal Ministry of Education, through the recommendation of the Oyo State Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, rated OBMS (with a certificate given by the Ministry of Education) in 2022 as the 5th Best Private School in the whole of Nigeria.

Will recent developments in the country affect tuition and enrolment next session?

Institutions generally operate under defining general environment of the country, one of which is the financial situation. It affects not only the school in isolation but also the parents, teachers, suppliers, etc. Thus we cannot be insulated from such economic and financial challenges in the country.

Ab initio, money was not the driving force for the establishment of OBMS. Despite our outstanding performances in the comity of schools nationally and geographically, our fees are made functionally affordable. When compared to peers in top African schools group to which we belong, our tuition has always been, and will, by God’s grace, be made reasonably affordable for all parents. Our guide has always been “efficiency and effective use of resources.” The next session is wide and open but we are not going into the session fearing enrolment attrition or otherwise.

Oyo State is promoting free education for primary and secondary education. Has that affected the school enrolment drive?

As an administration, and as a school system, we have always worked in tandem with the state government. We work in close collaborative support to lift up educational standards and attainment. Thus, there is no cross-purpose relationship between us at OBMS and the state. It is a good policy, and we don’t foresee it bringing any conflict with our enrollment.

How has OBMS been able to maintain its moral standard among students, especially in this age of moral decadence?

The school’s motto is “Excellence through Integrity,” and we thank God not only for our founding institution, Oritamefa Baptist Church but also for the school’s board members –men and women of rich and diverse experiences in life– who execute policy issues guiding the affairs of the school. Our motto also serves as a guide to conduct for students and teachers alike.

Our approach is to nip in the bud any incongruous behaviour. We operate under strict codes of conduct, which are endorsed by parents and guardians as well. With God’s assistance, who has never and will never fail us, we strive for excellence in all our endeavours.

The school has consistently won laurels. How do you plan to build on this in the new session?

Students at all levels (junior and senior classes) are constantly encouraged to excel. Furthermore, achievers (students and teachers) are regularly celebrated in the school and by the church, Oritamefa Baptist Church.  This is exemplified by the termly celebration of all students on the academic commendation list for all classes. Also, at great costs (financially, materially, and in terms of human man-hours) to the school, students are constantly exposed locally and nationally to academic, social, and sporting competitions.

Thus, we are unrelenting and steadfast in our mission to promote excellence through integrity. For this, OBMS remains a force to reckon with in the educational landscape, not only in Nigeria but worldwide. To God be the glory as we gratefully take pride in the results of our efforts and the achievements of our students beyond the school certificates and JAMB. The quest for excellence follows our students into citadels of higher learning universally, and we have produced the best-graduating students in many universities and institutions in Nigeria and abroad.

What are the expansion strategies of the OBMS?

Growth and expansion like the beginning of the entire school system of OBMS which is from cradle (pre-nursery and kindergarten) to Advanced Level (Cambridge) including OBMS, Total Garden; OBMS, Ring Road; OBMS, Akobo and OBNPS is a mission assignment. The Lord’s spirit has led us all the way, and now we are reconfiguring by expanding our facilities to accommodate more boarding students. The Holy Spirit of God will strictly guide any spatial expansion to other places through the leadership of the Church.

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