Academic activities have commenced in earnest in Ondo State public schools as schools resumed second term academic activities officially on January 10, 2022 after three weeks of Christmas and New Year holiday.
The team of The Democrat News Magazine visited some of the leading secondary schools in Akure metropolis to ascertain the level of their preparedness for the new academic term.
Some of the schools visited include, Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, Aquinas College, Akure, Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, Ejioba High School and Akure High School, Akure.
It was observed that the schools visited adhered strictly to Covid-19 protocol, with provision of hand sanitizers, buckets of water and face masks.
Meanwhile academics exercise had commenced in those school visited enable them to meet up with their target for the new term.
Speaking with journalists the principal of Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, Mrs. Olubola Ojoge said the school had put the necessary measures in place before the school officially opened on Monday January 10, 2022.
She said the ample preparations gave the school better advantage to commence Principal’s Test that will form part of the students’ continuous assessment.
Mrs. Ojoge pointed that Fiwasaye Girls’ Grammar School is known for academic excellence and that measures have been put in place raise the bar higher in this new term.
In the same way, she commended Ondo State government under the leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on his intention to recruit more teachers.
“I am using this medium to appreciate our amiable governor for his love for education. He paid WEAC fees for all SSS three students in Ondo State.
On government directive mandating Vice Principals of Schools to go back to classroom she said: “It is a welcomed development, even in our school here, our Vice Principals especially the Male have been handling classes before the directive. It is not a strange thing to us here.”
Mrs. Ojoge used the medium to charge all the students to put in their best as to come out in flying colours in their academic pursuit.
On his part, the Principal Aquinas College, Akure, Mr. Afolabi Oni Michael, said his school is setting pace for others schools being a foremost College in Nigeria.
In his words: “We are special school and our teachers are special as well, as you can see academics activities had commenced in the school. The school combines hard work with moral this is more reason we are the best in all areas.
“Parents are praying for our governor for his efforts on education and we all appreciate Mr. Governor and we are well prepared to follow all his directives. As a matter of fact our Vice principals have been up and doing in combining administrative with teaching even before the new directive came.
He said that the school is in need of more science teachers to complement the existing ones since the school is a science oriented school.
The Principal Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, Mr. Okeowo Ogunleye on his part expressed satisfaction about the turnout of the students his school which is over 2,900 in attendance on the first day of resumption.
According to him: “We want to use this medium to thank our Mr. ‘Talk and Do’ for his plan to recruit more teachers into public schools in Ondo State. Last year he promised to pay the WAEC fees and he fulfilled the promise.
“Mr. Governor just released over N515 Million for WAEC registration just three weeks ago. To me, he (governor Akeredolu) has seen education as a project that must be implemented. He wants to see that the projects work out well that was the reason he gave the directive that all Vice Principals should go back to classrooms.
On Covid-19 protocol, he pointed out that the school has been following the guidelines because the pandemic is still around.
Also speaking the principal of Ejioba High School, Dr. Olobayo Theophilus Kehinde said: “Our teachers had reported in the school as early as 7 am, we conducted assembly for the students and put buckets of water in strategic places for proper hand washing with sanitizer.
“All our students came with their face masks because we made them to know the Corona Virus is still very much around to be on the saver side we must follow the protocol.
While commending the good intention of government on recruitment of new teachers he said Mr. Governor deserves accolades from all stakeholders in education sector.
At Akure High School, Mrs. Susan, the School Principal spoke on the level of the school preparedness for the new term.