Old students associations of primary and secondary schools across the country have been called upon to complement government efforts in addressing the security challenges and falling standard of the education sector.
The National President of Government High School (GHS) Old Students Association, Ilorin, Alhaji Raji Muhammed made the call during the 34th Anniversary of Class ’87 held weekend at Kwara Hotel, Ilorin.
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Mr Raji, a former Commissioner for Education in Kwara State, lamented that many old students associations have slept over their responsibilities and called for attitudinal change.
According to him, governments resources are shrinking daily with additional responsibilities which have affected the needed funding for education sector.
He therefore called on old students across the county to give back and continue to assist their former schools in identifying areas that need intervention to improve standard.
“We got our education on a platter of Gold those days but the same government that was doing all those things for us now has numerous responsibilities that they can’t handle it all anymore.
“Government alone can’t do it. We are impressed with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq intervention in GHS but to resuscitate all schools in Kwara alone for instance means the entire budget of the state for the next 10 years.
“My clarion call to other old students is to come out and support their Alma Mata rather than leaving it to government and missionaries. We can make use of our connections to do a lot for our schools”, he noted.
He further advised schools that are operating boarding sessions to prioritize safety of students and encourage volunteer of information to help security agencies.
In his remarks, a member of the set, Alhaji Issa described the get-together as an opportunity to give back to the school and also assist “some less privileged members and families who are deceased.
He said the gathering will be used to decide on projects intended for the school during it’s 35th anniversary next year.
A retired government teacher of the school, John Adetunji Fajenyo advised policy makers in the education sector to continue to broaden the education curriculum and tasked students to read widely.
He called on President Muhammedu Buhari to implement the promise to increase salaries of teachers as promised during his independence day broadcast.
