Otan Ile Grammar School Marks 50th Anniversary, Seeks More Teachers

Fifty years after its establishment, Community Grammar School, Otan Ile, Osun State, is currently operating with only four teachers provided by the state government, the Chairman of the school’s 50th Anniversary Committee, Pastor Sanya Ebenezer Adelola, has disclosed.

Adelola, who was among the pioneer students of the institution, formerly known as Methodist Grammar School, Otan Ile, raised the concern while speaking at the school’s 50th anniversary celebration held on Saturday.

He appealed to the Osun State Government to urgently deploy more teachers to the school, warning that the shortage could negatively affect effective teaching and learning if left unaddressed.

According to him, the situation represents a sharp departure from what obtained when he attended the school, noting that the institution had between 35 and 40 teachers at the time, including expatriates from Sri Lanka, India and Ghana.

Adelola said, “When we were in school here, we used to have between 35 and 40 teachers, including expatriates from Sri Lanka, India and Ghana. But today, we have just four teachers from the Ministry of Education.

“If not for the efforts of the old students who sponsor PTA teachers, the students would have been in trouble. We therefore appeal to the government to look into the situation and provide more teachers for the school.”

He disclosed that former students had been intervening by sponsoring teachers engaged through the Parent-Teacher Association, stressing that the initiative had helped to cushion the effect of the shortage of government-appointed teachers.

Adelola, however, said the responsibility of raising responsible and successful children should not be left entirely to teachers, urging parents to play a more active role in the upbringing and education of their children.

He also charged the students to remain focused, work hard and develop a clear vision for their future, assuring them that discipline, determination and perseverance would help them achieve their aspirations.

Speaking on his vision for the institution, Adelola said the alumni association must be strengthened to provide sustainable support for the school.

He said, “Our responsibility should not end with paying teachers. We should be able to build and equip a standard library, improve the infrastructure and provide the facilities that will make teaching and learning easier for both teachers and students.”

Also speaking, the Coordinator of METHSECO Old Students and President of Otan Ile Progressive Union, Home and Abroad, Hon. Bello Saliu Bamidele, recalled how he became involved in efforts to revive the old students’ association after visiting the school in 2017.

Bamidele said he was disturbed by the condition of the school during the visit and decided to mobilise former students to contribute towards its rehabilitation and development.

He said the association, which initially had only 17 members, had grown significantly and had supported the school through the renovation of facilities and payment of PTA teachers.

According to him, the alumni association had at various times sponsored as many as 10 PTA teachers, while the school currently has only four teachers provided by the government.

Bamidele expressed optimism that the institution would become one of the leading secondary schools in the local government and Osun State within the next 10 years.

He pointed to the recent academic achievement of one of the school’s students, who was recognised among the state’s top-performing candidates in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and awarded a scholarship, as evidence of the potential of the students.

In his welcome address, the Principal of the school, Gbotoso K.O., described the 50th anniversary as a landmark occasion in the history of the institution.

He appealed to the government, alumni and other stakeholders to assist the school in establishing a modern Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre, equipping the science laboratory and protecting the school’s land from encroachment.

The principal also called for support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who might be unable to pay their WAEC and National Examinations Council (NECO) fees.

The first teacher of the school, Mr Ezekiel Ibikunle, also took the audience down memory lane, recalling his early years at the institution when he reportedly combined the roles of teacher, principal and vice-principal.

Ibikunle expressed joy that the school had survived for five decades and continued to produce graduates who had made meaningful contributions to society.

He urged the old students to increase their contributions towards the development of their alma mater, saying sustained alumni support remained crucial to preserving the legacy of the institution.

Earlier, the Owa Afole of Otan-Ile, Oba Michael Tolulope Adetona, commended members of the alumni association for their commitment to the development of their alma mater, describing their interventions as a demonstration of love and responsibility towards the community.

The traditional ruler urged sons and daughters of Otan-Ile, both at home and in the diaspora, to unite and work together for the development of the ancient town.
Oba Adetona stressed that sustainable development could only be achieved when indigenes and other stakeholders pooled their resources, ideas and experiences towards addressing the needs of the community.

He said the progress recorded by the school over the years should serve as a reminder of what could be achieved through collective effort, urging the people of Otan-Ile to sustain the spirit of cooperation for the benefit of present and future generations

The 50th anniversary celebration brought together former students, teachers, parents, students, community leaders and other stakeholders who reflected on the history of the school and renewed calls for greater investment in its future.