PARENT- TEACHER ASSOCIATION MEETING OF JSS2 & SS2 STUDENTS HELD ON
9TH JULY, 2014, AT LAGOOZ SCHOOLS’ HALL, OMOTOYE ESTATE, ORILE AGEGE.
The meeting started at 3.21pm
with short prayers from a Christian. This was closely followed by the
recitation of the school anthem and national anthem. Mrs Balogun directed the
singing of the national anthem while Miss Fashanu directed that of the school.
Then, members of the high table were introduced just at the time the proprietor
arrived. In the principal’s keynote address which followed, she expressed her
appreciation to the parents/ guardians present. She informed them that the
meeting was organized to plan for the success of the JSS2 and SS2 Students who
would be graduating to JSS3 and SS3 classes which are terminal classes in Junior Secondary School
and Senior Secondary School next session. She
emphasized that only a good plan, started early enough, that would chart a
successful course for the students in the two external examination classes.
Once more, she thanked them.
At this juncture, the proprietor,
Chief A.F. Otubela, addressed parents/guardians on the issue at hand. First he
informed them:
(i) That SS3 Concluded their
external examination (NECO) that day’
(ii) That come next week this
2013/2014 session would come to an end.
(iii) That graduation will come
up on Saturday 12th July, 2014.
After expressing his delight at the response of the
parents/ guardians, he added that primary Six and some other classes in primary
and secondary schools would be collecting both federal and state curricular
which would prepare the pupils adequately for the academic work of next
session, 2014/ 2015. The curriculum according to him would include that of
Unified Examination. He asked parents/ guardian to inspect these materials including
past questions for the various examinations and ensure that the child would
have enough study time to read or practise what is contained in the scheme.
Therefore, to complement teachers’ job, parents/ guardians should plan a study time ( time schedule) for the children
to follow at home ‘He also added that should there be challenges as to time, he
advised parents to look for responsible teachers who would direct and teach the
children at home, following the new curriculum. He stressed that these measures
are important to enable the child excel
in external examinations using JAMB as an example where the examination is so
competitive that success becomes almost impossible.
The
proprietor gave a clear idea of what academic excellence is, pointing out that
success now depends on really being a genius. He enjoined parents to take
children to places where they would have moderate fun, and there counsel them.
Parents, according to him, should assist their children. The JSS3 students
would face four examinations:
-
Lagos
State Basic Examination
-
NECO Basic Certificate Examination
-
Unified (Mock) Examination
-
Placement Examination
For SS3, they have minimum of four examinations and a
maximum of eight, for example
-
WAEC
-
NECO
-
Unified JAMB
-
Post UTME
Apart from
this four, there are those that can give them admission abroad in UK, Canada,
Ukraine, USA. If a child performs
excellently in any of the examinations, the child might be entitled to full
scholarship, that is for higher grades. For Muslims, such admissions abound in Turkey, Saudi Arabia. Such oversea examinations
are SAT, TOEFL, GMAT, IELTS, and thousands are competing for these examinations.
So, preparation should start early.
He lamented
the ugly effect of social media (TV, internet, phone etc) on the children. These
things distract students’ attention and should be curtailed if not completely
checked by parents. It affects their academic performance. If, however, it
would be necessary to use internet at all, it should be during this holiday and
under strict supervision by parents. According to him television and internet
can be good, can also be dangerous to children. For these terminal
examinations, he maintained that television should not be the ultimate. They
should concentrate more on their academic work. He also cautioned that any
group study that is suspicious and negative, should be checked among students.
In fact, parents should check unwholesome association and study group. So,
every effort should be geared towards curbing that.
Again, he
advised parents to check the rate at which children use phone. This is because
it would distract their attention, especially answering phone calls, sending
text messages, pinging, among others. Children should be checked and this
attitude curbed.
Besides,
the Proprietor pointed out that some extended family ties can distract
children, especially when it involves wedding, birthday parties and similar
ceremonies. What should matter to them is their studies, he said.
Finally, he
instructed parents to be good friends to their children, listening to them,
coming down to their level, encouraging them, talking to them and allowing them
talk to you. What they would derive is attention. Learn what they known and be
interested in what they know. Also, know your child’s mentor among the teachers
and encourage him or her. He asked parents to get closer to their children and
encourage them to buy all recommended textbooks for next session from Lagooz
bookshop or elsewhere. He told them about summer coaching which will concentrate
more on English Language and Mathematics including other subjects which will be
practicals mainly on ICT, baking, Food and Nutrition, etc.
The
Proprietor informed parents that the school has upgraded the hostel facilities
to a superlative level. Meanwhile, the project is right now actively in
progress up to 91% completion status. He pointed out that old bill will be
charged to students who would resume with the school in September while in
October the new price would be introduced. Four students would occupy one room,
and if a parent introduces another child into the hostel, he would be entitled
to 10% of the hostel fee of the child introduced. He, however, advised that
those children in the terminal classes be paid for and brought into the school
hostel.
As an
addition, parents were asked to pay their school fee/examination fee on or
before resumption. Those who would pay before resumption will be entitled to 5%
discount.
The second
term and third term school fees would be paid together before resumption in the
second term. However, if a parent would want to spread the payment over a
period of time, such a person can come to the school and negotiate on how and
when to pay the fees, and ensure that he would not fail to respond to such
dates.
The Proprietor
showed parents the C.D containing JAMB past questions for ten years, and said
it would be of immense help to the students. He also said that the customized
C.D for SSCE would be made available to Lagooz Schools soon.
QUESTIONS FROM
PARENTS
A parent wanted
to know the venue and time for Valedictory Service, and was told the venue
would be Lagooz Schools hall at 10am. A mother expressed concern over NECO when
a child takes SSCE and GCE. She asked if NECO could be made optional.
The Proprietor
said JSS3 would write NECO like SSCE. He explained that due the competitive
nature of JAMB and university admission, it becomes necessary to do everything
possible to ensure success. According to them, grades of performance in
subjects are taken into consideration in university admissions, especially now
that English Language and Mathematics are compulsory and must be passed at very
good grades. Therefore, according to him, these things were considered before
asking students to take all the examinations to make them fully equipped with
whatever grades are required by whichever university department. Again, the
uncertainty of the release of a result is another problem. There is no way to
determine whether a result would be released.
The
Proprietor promised that the discourse of that day would be made available to
parents on Lagooz website while the students would bring it the next day. He
then released the following contact numbers:
Proprietor
No: 08033205357
Principal: 08023852010
Secretary
(college): 07045226282
Secretary
(primary): 07045236283
The closing prayer was from a Moslem.
The parents were informed that the next day 10th
July, 2014 would be Christian/Moslem prayers simultaneously for graduating students
at different venues.