By Michael Babatunde.
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, has described boarding system as one of the best ways to strengthen education and make it more functional and standard in any country.
Mrs Afuye said the policy helps to instil morality in students, cut their excesses and make them more exceptional in performances in internal and external examinations.
The Deputy Governor, said this in Ado Ekiti, while playing host to the Amoye Grammar School, Ikere Ekiti Old Students’ Assocation (AMOSA), who visited the alumnus to congratulate her on her emergence as the number two citizen of the state.
The old students presented an award of excellence to the Deputy Governor for her contributions to the school, describing her as a worthy and committed alumnus of the institution.
A statement by the Special Assistant Media to the Deputy Governor, Victor Ogunje, quoted Mrs Afuye as expressing joy over moves being made by the old students to reintroduce boarding system back to the school, saying this will help in shaping the moral and academic lives of the students.
She applauded the old students for partnering government to increase the facilities in the school, urging Ekiti citizens to cultivate the culture of contributing to their Alma maters to reshape education in Ekiti.
She said; “During our time, the boarding facilities were available and I benefited. It really helped me a lot. Some of the things I learnt as a boarding student are still useful to me till today.
“So, I really appreciate the alumni for making efforts to reintroduce Boarding System in our school. It is a very good concept and I am happy about that. That school had produced good products in Ikere and across Ekiti, we have to do things that will make our students proud.
“The government can’t do it alone. So, try and continue to make contributions in whatever way you think will be in the best interest of our students and community.
“I am also assuring you that I will continue to contribute my own quota to that school. I promise that I will continue to do those things that will enhance the image of our school”.
In his submission, the National President of AMOSA, Engr. Olukayode Ilesanmi, said the old students conceived the reintroduction of boarding system to facilitate good moral standing as well as raise the standard of education in the school.
Ilesanmi regretted that the boarding system was stopped in Amoye Grammar school when government took ownership of schools, saying the Parents Teachers’ Association is eager to have it reintroduced in due course.
The National President, urged the current government to tackle the menace of flooding that was affecting good road network in the school, as well as construct the perimeter fencing to offer adequate security and check undue encroachment on the school’s land.
“The school is one of the oldest in Ikere Ekiti with boarding facilities. The boarding stopped when the government took over the running of schools. The PTA has been eager to reintroduce boarding, as this will facilitate good moral standing of students as well as raise the school standard.
“The school is always flooded during rainy season, therefore there was a need to construct drainages and road within the school”.
Ilesanmi disclosed that the association has contributed in the building of administrative block, ICT centre, stocking of school library, renovation of the SS2 block, reconstruction of school gate, reconstruction and equipping of physics laboratory, among others in Amoye.
He described the Deputy as a worthy and respectable alumnus, who has contributed immensely to shore up facilities in the school, saying the award was to spur her to do more and to reawake other alumni, who are still standing aloof.
The Permanent Secretary, office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Abayomi Opeyemi, said the award conferred on Mrs Afuye was well deserved and would help in propelling others to give back having proper reward mechanism put in place to recognise them.
