NAN-H-52
Schools
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, June 19, 2017 (NAN) The Old Boys Association of the Methodist High School, Ibadan, has called on the Oyo State Government, to emulate its Ogun and Lagos State counterparts by returning public schools to their original owners.
Mr Rasak Moruf, the association’s chairman of the 1984 set, made this call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday.
Moruf said that the return of the schools to their original owners would assist the schools in regaining their lost glory and restoring the days of healthy competition for academic excellence.
He stated that Methodist High School, Ibadan, in particular, excelled academically when it was under the management of its original owner, the Methodist Church of Nigeria, than now with the government.
“This development may be due to the neglect it has suffered in the hands of successive governments in the state,” he said.
He, however, tasked the old students of such schools to consider themselves as major stakeholders and make it a point of duty to revisit and contribute to the development of their Alma Mata.
“For instance, my set, the 84 set, is ready to position itself as a major stakeholder in the school.
“Our primary objective, therefore, is to be part of the school we left behind 33 years ago as a virile school, but now a shadow of itself.
“With this in mind, the best way to appreciate the school is to look within and give back to the school that made us,” he said.
In his opinion, Mr Sola Ajayi, also of the 1984 set, described the ongoing policies of the State Government as too complex, adding that it only required government to return the schools and see wonders.
“We are ready to partner with the Church in transforming the school, as it is not easy to partner with government, considering the complexities of their policies,” he said.
He bemoaned the lack of basic infrastructure in the school and the poor learning environment of the school.
““When we were here, we had teachers, who were consultants. They were hired and paid by the Church, but things have changed.
“It is sad that today, the school lacks electricity, well equipped laboratories and library.
“These are some of the challenges we will be addressing in a few months to come,’’ he said. (NAN)
TAA/MAS/YEMI
Edited by Moses Solanke/Yemi Idris-Aduloju