The opening prayer was said by Mr. Nwaobianyi, the vice principal (Academic), Thereafter, Mrs. Mbalu led the singing of National and School anthems. In her opening speech, the principal made it clear that the gathering was organized in order to brainstorm on how to move the JSS3/SS3 students forward. She thanked the parents and guardians adequately.

            Then the proprietor reiterated that the meeting was to organize the way forward for JSS3/SS3 students who would take SSCE/JSSCE early next year. He made it clear that the meeting would discuss what to do now and even in future to ensure the success of the students. The second phase would allow parents to ask questions and make suggestions while at the end they would be given the school E-mail address.

            Back to the role of the school, he mentioned that the expected examinations would come up in April, barely two months from then pointing out that the school had almost concluded the syllabus for the examination only to discover that some of the students in these classes are still academically weak hence the school started what we call WEAK STUDENTS’ CLASS in order to bring them to the required standard.

            He pointed out that second term would begin on 10/01/2011 and that the parents of some of the weak students might be invited to discuss the way forward because our research has shown that some students do not read at home. Because of the absence of parents at home, some children play away their time while others are busy watching T.V. In his analysis, he made parents to understand that learning and understanding are categorized thus:

1. Hearing – 30%                                 

2. Seeing – 30%

            The other 40% comes from reading. Therefore he enjoined parents to have enough time for their children and wards and monitor their reading habits even if it means employing somebody for that purpose. Again, they should be prevented from watching T.V. unnecessarily and using G.S.M. because these things are distracting their attention.

            Besides, he asked parents to study their children and know the friends they have and the company they keep. Their peer group should be monitored.

            The proprietor said that parents and the school should work jointly to ensure the success of the students. Therefore, parents/guardians should purchase books for the students because those books are recommended by the school. It is therefore mandatory for students in SS3 to purchase the “ESSENTIAL” series per subject while JSS3 should purchase the compiled past questions. Such books should be bought between now and the second week of second term either from the school or from outside.

            Moreso, each student in JSS3 and SS3 should purchase the new edition of Advanced Leavers Dictionary. The school will allow for transfer of dictionary but the name of the new owner should be written. In addition, a Mathematical set, four figure table, Atlas should be bought for each student

 

Students’ Role

            In Lagooz College, students are trained to work independently and conscientiously. They are compulsorily made to attend classes and read their books. We want parents to assist the school along this line. To assist students, we give them assignments on daily basis. At times, the questions are contained in our website. So, parents should ensure strict compliance of their children with doing the assignments at home. It has been discovered that some students copy their friends or allow their elders to do the assignments. This has reduced originality in the work they produce. Parents should help.

            Furthermore, the proprietor cautioned that parents should check their children against social activities for just three months. Attending parties and wedding can distract the students. There are many things that are awaiting the children like university admission and job opportunities. So they should learn at all times.

            Continuing, he said that SS3 students would write SSCE and NECO and that some universities allow a combination of both. Again, he encouraged parents to register their children for JAMB either by buying the form N5,000 from the bank or N7,500 from the school. Again, he pointed out that the school organizes JAMB classes which will cost N22,000 for four months plus N7,500 totalling N29,500 for everything. It is even better to register through the school to enable the students be registered in the appropriate catchment areas. He made it known that JAMB examination involves university admission, Polytechnic and College of Education, all fused and taken the same day. Sincerely, he told parents that some of the students cannot score up to 70% to give them admission. So, it is advisable not to frustrate such students but to go every length in making admission possible by working hard. According to him, parents should not always hope on federal universities but should consider admission to private universities, at least, for the first degree.

            In getting admission from the universities, the school does not get admission for students but what the school does is to counsel the students. When such cases come up, the school advises the student on what course to read based on the student’s performance in our written exam. The school would always tell parents the truth. Where the university is not possible, the student can consider polytechnic or college of Education.

            For the graduating students, the school has made provision on how to accommodate the students in the boarding house. Then he went on to say that, parents should consult the principal on this arrangement. A parent can pay boarding fee on installment basis.

            On payment of fees, the school said pay “on or before” resumption date. However, some parents will still default up to a month after the appropriate date. He asked parents to understand that materials have to be provided to enhance teaching and that salaries have to be paid. He then enjoined them to pay as and when due or even if there is a promise to pay at a future date, it should be honored. Where materials are not available and teachers are owed, the teaching process is adversely affected. If for any reason, there are observations parents should not hesitate to inform us. He appreciated the parents for paying as and when due and encouraged the few defaulting ones to rise to the occasion pointing out that the school cares more for the children than our pockets. He emphasized the role of the teachers and said parents should assist us perfect the success of the students.

            He reminded parents that it is unwise to send the students in JSS3/SS3 home on school fee drive. He continued by saying that in Lagooz, there is a way the school had broken down the payment in bits, at times, collecting the school fees of two terms at once. All the same, where the parent finds this arrangement cumbersome, he can come to the school and discuss with the principal or vice principal on the way that will be convenient. Nonetheless, until the arrangement is made, it is not usual to send students in terminal classes away. So, parents are free to consult the school on anything they find difficult. He informed them that Lagooz does not arbitrarily increase school fee. It is always paid in accordance with our management policy which will be sent to you through our website. The parents that pay on or before resumption will get a certain compensation while those who cannot meet up will not benefit from such a compensation. The commission will be an encouragement to those who respond in time.

 

Saturday Lesson

            This is compulsory for students from JSS1 – SS3. So make it a point of duty to bring your children down every Saturday. The students are taught and prepared well ahead of the scheme of work. Some complicated topics already taught are revised. Again, he it affords them the opportunity of interacting with the subject teachers in areas they find difficult to understand.

 

COMMENTS FROM PARENTS

 
1.         Mr. Olatunbosun Talabi

He said that the school fees for 3^rd term should not be 100%. He requested for a reduction.

 
2.         Mr. Akintolure

He commended the school proprietor for maintaining his promise not to assist the students during external exams and enjoined parents to pay up.

 

3.         Mrs. Aliku

She expressed satisfaction especially with the academic development of her child. She said that late payment is not deliberate. It is only circumstances. She bought Longman’s Dictionary. She wanted to know the cost of Saturday lesson and the computer lesson.

 

 4.        A parent complained that the school no longer makes provision for parents to sign     assignments.

 

5.         Another parent who said she is a civil servant said that making payment on 10^th January, 2010 may not favour her. Again, she said the laptop that was bought is no longer used. Again she commented on Saturday lesson and wanted to know the specific time.

 

6.         Another woman frowned at the inability of some teachers to mark assignments and said they should improve

 

7.         A man gave the school 90% going by the moral, academic and social standard of his children. On the issue of school fee, he observed that the students would not stay up to two full terms and asked for a reduction.

 

8.         Another woman appreciated the school but complained that the school fee is too bulky to be paid at once.

9.         Mr. Makinde accepted that payment for the two terms is alright but if parents come to dialogue with the school as to how to pay, it should be permitted. On the laptop he said the laptop should be used and not allowed to waste.

 

10.       Mr. Iwuoha commented on how to bring his little children in J.S.S classes to Saturday lesson and how people who registered their children here from other school should be compensated.

 

PROPRIETOR’S COMMENTS

 

1.         SCHOOL FEES

 

He accepted that fixing payment of two terms might be burdensome and said that S.S.C.E will end in July. He reiterated that payment is made on termly bases. Therefore, reducing the school fee might not be appropriate for effective administration and payment of salaries. It will affect teachers and the teaching process. In fact, he stated clearly that there is no half measure because if a teacher does not perform his duty well, it will affect the students just as an incompetent doctor will kill people indiscriminately during surgery. On this platform, he said that it is not advisable therefore to reduce school fees since it will not help matters at all. He accepted instalmental payment through dialogue. Through this method, the school fee can be easily paid. The fused payment will help students to concentrate.

On Longman’s Dictionary, we want the student to use a uniform book but since it has already been bought such parents should come to the school and give the date the Oxford dictionary should be bought.

On the issue of laptops, it was suspended temporarily due to damage, theft and other vices. The school had to replace Laptops. Again, we wanted them to drop the laptops so that it would not be used for negative things. We are working towards having a C.D which they will work on via their Laptops at home. We do not want them to be carrying the Laptops about.

Saturday lesson starts 10:00 am and ends 2.pm. On sanitation days we never allowed students to attend classes on Saturdays in the past but from the second term, Saturday lesson would start at 11.30 am to 3.30pm during sanitation days. He therefore enjoined parents to do everything possible to ensure that their children attend Saturday lesson. He then read commentaries on the released WAEC May/June 2010/2011 in which about 75% of the of the students failed nation-wide adding that for this reason, the school made Saturday lesson compulsory.

He also read the commentaries on JAMB where another mass failure was recorded. This state of affairs informed our decision to make the Saturday lesson compulsory.

On not marking homework, he enjoined parents to report cases of not marking homework through phone calls. He then called the numbers they should call or text messages into. On assignments the school will be using website or text messages on phones to tell parents about assignments given.

On students registered from other schools, the meeting is specifically for our internal students. He pointed out that the bill given this term included all fees including even send-forth fee.

He prayed God to supply them their needs abundantly and reiterated the readiness of the school to dialogue with them on method of payment. He spoke extensively and finally thanked them for attending the meeting.

The meeting came to close with a short prayer from an inspired mother who attended the meeting.