Determined to strengthen capacity in teaching and learning in Nigeria, the 1992 old students (pacesetters set) of Ilupeju Secondary School, Lagos has commissioned a 7.5 KVA power generating set and the general electrification of blocks of classrooms worth one million naira for their Alma Mata.
Olayemi Kudaisi Azeez, pacesetters’ President, expressed excitement about the tremendous support the old students had made towards developing the school and improving the education system.
Azeez, an education administrator and head teacher at Redeemers International School for lower school, while speaking at the commissioning of the power generating set, stressed on the need for teacher’s capacity building to improve the standard of teaching in the state, just as she admitted that there is need for government to do more to improve the environment and hygiene conditions in public schools.
On the old students’ plans for the school in the future, the set President reiterated the association’s commitment and devotion to the development of the school while calling on the government for relevant assistance.
In his remarks, Idowu Oyebanjo, a United Kingdom trained power system engineer, who is also a member of pacesetter set, said the electricity inclined projects were carried out to ensure that students can enjoy their science experiments.
“With steady power supply, the students can be able to carry out their experiments, they will sit in comfort in the classroom, the teachers will be well cared for”, Oyebanjo said.
On plans to ensure the system are properly maintained, he assured that the set has put in place a very robust system of maintenance. According to him, “There is a written maintenance contract in place to ensure that the equipment is well maintained. We will also encourage the school to follow the maintenance regime we have put in place”.
On how Alumni can help support the development of their Alma Mata, Oyebanjo stated that the first thing is academic. In academic intervention, he opines that it is important to make sure that the students are well taught all their subjects because they are the leaders of tomorrow.
“There should also be career guidance and counselling where the students are exposed to training career prospects so they are guided on the best career path to pursue”, Oyebanjo said.
Alumni can also get involved in recruiting first-class teachers to help in teaching these students in support of government’s effort.
