Old Students Urge Gov Oyetola To Return Schools To Original Owners To Enhance Academic Performance

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The ex-students of Saint Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, Osun state have urged the state government to return the school and other mission schools which the government took ownership to the original owners.

The old Students under the aegis of St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo Old Boys Association said the call becomes imperative based on students’ academic performances over the years from the mission schools, hence the need for state government to return the schools because students are better managed by the owners than government.

The old students believed that handling schools back to their original owners will help curb the failing standard in the education subsector.

They are of the opinion that when schools were in the hands of owners, they were properly managed under strict regulations of the missionaries.

They see the takeover of schools by government and the eventual change of administration as the bane of the education system, hence the call for the reversal to the old order.

Speaking at a press conference organised as part activities to celebrate 59 St Charles Founder’s Day Anniversary in Osogbo, President of the alumni association, Charlean Rotimi Aluko, said the call to return the school to its original owner would remain their standing advocacy point until the government took heed.

He said handing the schools back to the owners would allow government focus attention and investment on other sector of the economy begging for one.

According to Aluko, ” government alone cannot take care of our education. It’s not only peculiar to the state but Nigeria as a whole. As a matter of fact they have other sectors of the economy which requires much attention.

Aluko further stated, “In other climes what government does is to stay by owner of school in the area of policy , regulations and control . They leave the business of doing the business to the business people.

“They need the involvement of stakeholders who are motivated in to do it. We would continue to pass this to the government whenever we have the opportunity to meet with the governor”.

The President also revealed that they would be meeting stakeholders so as to help improve the quality of education in the school.

He added that this became important as the quality the school was known for had dwindled.

He expressed optimism that the meeting with principals, teachers and parents would yield fruitful results.

On their contributions towards the development of the school, Aluko said the association has donated modern examination hall, renovation of classrooms among others notable achievements, saying old students are key to quality education in public schools.

He noted that the Association had been engaging in beneficial activities aimed at uplifting the School particularly in terms of academic performance improvement and infrastructure enhancement.

The alumni president urged Nigerians to always look back and assist their former schools, as their involvement remained critical in assisting to properly fund.

He also called on well meaning Nigerians to contribute to making available quality education in public schools.