Old students association wants government to double allocation to education
The old students of Premier Grammar School, Abeokuta on Saturday called on Ogun State Government to double its statutory allocation to education, towards ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all in the State
Penpushing reports that President of the Old Students’ Association (1976 – 1981 set), of the college, Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun, made the call at the 40th ‘Out-of-School’ Anniversary of the Association and commissioning of a completed and equipped Home Economic Laboratory among others provided by the former students held at the school premises at Lafenwa-Aiyetoro road, Abeokuta
“Budgetary allocation to the education sector should be doubled to revitalize teaching and learning through improved infrastructure and increased training opportunities for teachers and school administrators”, Soremekun said
Penpushing further reports that, Soremekun who is the National Information Officer of United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) acknowledged that teachers needed to be motivated, and therefore, called for special incentives for teachers which he said, should be institutionalized to encourage more young people into the teaching profession.
The association boss highlighting the contribution of the 1976-1981 set to the school, said as old students they have engaged in educational development of the students of the school,and also facilitated the participation of the Senior School in a competition organized in collaboration with Ogun State Ministry of Education and sponsored by Reckitt and Benckiser.
“As a set, we have engaged in educational development of the students of our Alma Mater. In 2018, we facilitated the participation of the Senior School in a competition organized in collaboration with Ogun State Ministry of Education and sponsored by Reckitt and Benckiser;, he stated.
Penpushing also reports that, he added that in 2019, the set got the School involved in ‘Arts4SDGs’ competition which the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria organised in collaboration with Ogun State Government through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
The veteran journalist explained that, it was a competition aimed at deepening the knowledge of students in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through arts, adding that the association has completed the renovation and equipping of the Home Economics laboratory of Premier Junior Grammar School, which was commissioned at the ceremony by the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson.
Penpushing reports that Lawson commended the association for joining hands with Ogun state government and the Parents-Teachers’ Association to develop the school, and also praised the State Government for its commitment to ensuring quality education in Ogun State, pointing out that it was great thing that after 40th years of leaving the school, the old students still remember their you still remember roots.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu disclosed that the current administration in Ogun State has focused on education infrastructural development being a major challenge across the country, adding that the new structures being constructed in various schools in Ogun State had yellow roofs.
Penpushing further reports that, the Commissioner commended the association’s efforts in joining hands with the government in infrastructural development by renovating the Home Economics laboratory.
The Commissioner represented by the Director of Higher Education in the Ministry, Dr Olatunji Abdulwahid Olanloye noted that, this is also an effort at developing vocational skills of students of Premier Grammar School, and commended the former students.
The General Manager of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC), Mrs Toyin Sogbesan, urged members of the association to reach out to those in the diaspora as well as those that may be struggling financially amongst the members, to be inclusive the association.
Penpushing also reports that, the National President of Premier Grammar School Old Students’ Association, Elder Olusina Ajayi, commended the 1976-1981 set for their efforts at developing the school. and also urged them to value the association as they would also find their old classmates a good company in retirement
The Founder of Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, in his remarks called on the members of the association to explore ways of working with the school authorities to ensure the students are dedicated to studies and adhere strictly to morals and integrity that will positively shape their future.
Penpushing reports that, the media practitioners used the occasion calling on government at all levels in Nigeria to make it a policy to post old students of schools to be Principals, where available, expressing optimism with that there will be developmental growth in schools.
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