Topic: Parents, teachers and the future of students

One cannot refute the manifold roles the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) play in developing programs, advocacy and training. Whether at the schools, district, state or at the national levels, the PTA is actively present working on policies that support the educational needs of children, promoting family engagement and strong partnerships between schools and the communities they serve.

At one of such forums where stakeholders converge to discuss and chart a way forward for the educational sector, renowned educationist and royal father, Oloye Oba (Dr.) Solomom Olugbenga Oloyede called on stakeholders to rally together to ensure that students end up making positive contributions to the society.

Oba Oloyede who is the Chairman of Oloye/Sunfab group of schools, Lagos and Abuja, said this to the Parent Teacher Association of Oloye Comprehensive College, Sari Iganmu, Lagos, stressing that students and wards ought to be encouraged in recognition of their brilliant performances in their studies.

He noted that it is only through the fullest co-operation between home, school, education authorities, central government and all other interested parties and bodies that the essence of education can be positively advanced.

Oba Oloyede said, the school is regarded as the ultimate vehicle of human advancement as it sets out to complement the tradition of academic and moral excellence over the years.

“This school is not just to collect money or to do business, but to build lives, which is my mission. When I started and even now, many staff have come and gone, it’s just like a barrack, soldiers come and go, barrack remains the same.

“But many who have left know this school as a place of blessing. The desirable virtues, values, skills and the practical experiences that are imparted into the students of the school, adequately prepare them not only for academic pursuits, but also equipping them to live a worthy private and social life.

An English teacher, Elder M.O. Bello said the PTA is a convergence of the teachers and parents coming together to chart a way forward towards the advancement of the school and of course, the advancement of the children, because as the school progresses, the children also progresses and vice versa.

“Training a child is not only left in the hands of the teacher, so we need parents to come; we have a kind of forum to discuss things that have been happening at home and in school. This is the reason for the PTA and through this we have been able to chart a very good future for our children.”

A cleric and administrator of the Oloye Group of Schools, Lagos and Abuja and Sunfab Group of Schools, Lagos, Pastor Olawopo Mathew, however said that Oloye School is an institution that is moved by passion “because of the environment we find ourselves; we want to promote education and to help the young ones so as to have a place in the future.

“Very soon we are going to have computer-based test centres; that is where JAMB candidates will come to write exams. Then we also have the knowledge that as from two or three years to come, CBT introduced into WAEC and NECO which we are preparing our students for. I believe before that time you will see a new school within Oloye group of schools, and that is what we are working towards now.”

Speaking earlier, the principal of the College, Mr. R.A. Agboola said, “We are following the scheme from the state government and national curriculum which I believe our students can stand out as graduates anywhere in Nigeria.

“Most of our children are doctors, lawyers, accountants, and many more and the mission statement of this school is to develop the Nigerian youth morally and academically for the growth of the country and the world at large, to inculcate sound moral values and also inspire them to be self-reliance.”

He said the school also stands for the provision of education at affordable price for purposeful dynamism of Nigeria youth, and also to correct some of the limitating factors that brought about decline in the standard of education in Nigeria.

One of the parents who spoke to The Daily Times, Mrs. Bolanle Adetunji, said that their duties as parents are to assist the school in planning and organising educational programs.

“We see and ensure that the syllabus is completed, collect information regarding school fees, term fees, fees for other educational programs and to present these to the working committee of the association in order to bring transparency in the fixation of fees.

“I’m really happy that my children are here,” Adetunji concluded with satisfaction.