Kunle ADELABU
– Principal renders school’s scorecard for two years
Lagos State University International School (LASUIS), Ojo, held its inaugural end of session and prize giving day ceremony on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, amidst pomp and celebration.
The ceremony, which was held at the 3-in-1 Conference Hall, Faculty of Education, Lagos State University Main Campus, also witnessed the presentations of awards to outstanding teacher and students in honour of their academic excellence and contributions to the development of the two – year old school.
Honoured with the overall best students are Adeleye Roqeebat (Junior Secondary I), Disu Ibukunoluwa (Junior Secondary School II), Olotu Osasuyi (Senior Secondary School I) and Ogunsami Sophie (Senior Secondary II).
In the category of the School Orator, Disu Ibukunoluwa and Ogunsami Sophie emerged as the best in the junior and secondary school categories respectively, while Owoade Oreoluwa and Olayisoye Al-Ameen emerged as the School academic ambassadors for the junior and senior classes respectively.
Mr Adegbindin Abdul Hafeez, the school’s Mathematics teacher, emerged as the Most Outstanding Staff member of the Session.
Mr Taiwo Odumbo, the School’s Principal, stated that the ceremony was organized not just to mark two consecutive years of success but to also celebrate the parents.
“Today marks another milestone in the history of both Lagos State University and Lagos State University International School. The school has organized its first End of the Session Party not just to mark two academic years of success but also to celebrate our worthy parents who believe in our vision, trust our promises and understand that challenges are regular features of the beginning of every great things”, he stated.
“Whatever successes we have accomplished today, they are all dedicated to you. Your names have been written on a marble in the annals of the school.
“Our qualifying appreciation also go to the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, whose contributions and supports towards the success of LASUIS cannot be underestimated. We also want to thank the management of LASU, the Chairman, Lagos State University International School Board, Professor R.O Okuneye, Members of LASUIS and the entire LASU Community for their undisguised support for the school.
The Principal also used the occasion to take stock of the school’s achievements in the two years of its existence.
“To say we have no reasons to be grateful to God within the last two years will be worse than being ungrateful. In the like vein, to say the journey so far has been smooth and free of challenges will amount to dishonesty and self-deception.
“However, I dare say that with the support of God, the Management of Lagos State University and the Board, Lagos State University International School, we have been able to cope with the two sides of the coin. Which of the favours of God can we deny?” he asked.
“So far, we have not presented our students, either junior or senior , for any of the external examinations. But we have ensured that all the internal examinations they have taken since the commencement of the school have measured to the standards of the external examination bodies.
“The levels of difficulty and complexity, marking, grading and allocation of scores are conscientiously monitored to build and sustain quality assurance. With this level of assessment sincerity, it is hoped that the students’ results in their internal examinations could be conveniently used to predict their performances in the external examinations”.
“In this age of globalization, competition is fast losing its place to collaboration in the scheme of things. Equally, mobile learning is gaining serioius currency, making the erstwhile e-learning obsolete. To keep pace with this inevitable development, Lagos State University International School has forged different collaborative partnerships with education industries both within and outside Nigeria.
“Our location within the campus of Lagos State University is a blessing we have never taken for granted. The University’s science laboratories, newly commissioned Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, Zoological Garden and Geography Garden are always open to our students for their practical exercises.
“Another rewarding collaboration is the partnership we have with Microsoft Nigeria and India. This partnership helps in the area of human capital development, enhancement of curriculum in information technology system, and introducing the students to their contemporaries in other parts of the world through online engagements such as Skype. We can all guess the salutary effects of this, and many other meaningful activities on our students.
“As against the popular conventions, Lagos State University Internatioinal School’s internal competitions are interpersonal. The idea is to develop and present individuals rather than groups of individuals. Thus, the school has evolved a particular project called LASUIS Titles Contests to take care of that. External competitions too are left out. In the short history of the school, its students have been fielded for four external competitions and two invitational speech presentations.
“From this participation, the school has won three prizes and two recognitions.
“Out-of-the-classroom education is an important component. Education is also about giving the learners the necessary exposure so they could develop their perspectives and views about ideas and issues. Apart from courtesy visits, the school has taken the students to about three educational relevant excursion destinations.
“They have been to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, Lagos State Heritage Museum, Mobee Slave Relics, and the First Storey Building in Nigeria, all in the ancient town of Badagry. The courtesy visits included the visits to the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, in the University’s Senate Chamber and the Akran of Badagry, in his palace.
“From these visits, the students are usually made to write their reports. From these, the school is convinced that the students are learning very fast. LASU International School is an institution where nothing short of quality, services and excellence is achieved and guaranteed”, he stated.
Prof. Okuneye R.O, the Chairman, Lagos State University International School Board, while commending the standard set by the school, also assured the parents of quality academic impact on their children and wards.
Dr Kola Christwealth, the founder and Chairman, Governing Council, Livingstone Group of Schools and Presidential Aspirant of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the first lecture titled, ‘Seek Konwledge: Your Knowledge Defines Your Future’, enjoined the students to use internet to seek knowledge in developing themselves.
“The few knowledge seekers learn new skills on youtube. They enroll for online courses. They acquire more qualifications. They learn new languages and different skills and like Avery Hiebert, everyone always turns around to do their biddings and submit to their skills and wisdoms; even the rich without knowledge are also pawns in the hands of the knowledgeable.
“Knowledge makes you adaptable to your environment. Knowledge makes you smart. Knowledge earns you extra income. Knowledge places you head and shoulder above your mates. Knowledge makes you work smarter, develop superior plans and strategies; knowledge makes you think clearer, live healthier and better”.
In the second paper, Mayor Deen Sanwoola spoke on the topic, ‘Harnessing ICT Resources to Achieve Excellence in Quality Education’.
He stated that despite the wide usage of smart phones with internet, many people are not yet connected.
The lecturer then enjoined teachers to guide their students in the attainment of smartness by teaching them to make maximum use of the phones to achieve the best.
“In this era of smartness, we have guided our young ones to take advantage of technology and use it to build their capacities and potentials”, he stated.
He also deplored the perception of technology as a special thing.
“Technology should not be seen as a special thing, rather, it should be a norm. Everybody needs to embrace it in their day-to-day activities”.
Sanwooola also added that there is need for Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) if Nigeria is to measure up with the advanced countries.
“STEM is key to building competitiveness in the nearest future. This is what gives other countries edge and its high time that we should embrace it if we are to attain the level of global competiveness”.
“We need to start exposing our children to Science, Technology, Engineeting and Mathematics if we are to develop a competitive attitude.
Using Thomas Edison, the inventor of electricity who failed severally before getting the breakthrough that helped in the advancement of the human race as an example, Mayor Sanwoola called on the experts in the education sector to develop a system that would encourage exploration if the country is to build inventors.
“Students should be provided with opportunities to explore. They should not be tailored towards pass or fail but towards knowledge that would help develop our country”.
Hon. Lanre Ogunyemi, Chairman, Education Committee of the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Chairman of the occasion, said that reward system is a way of encouraging students and teachers to do more.
“I congratulate the staff members and management on this auspicious occasion. This event is an apt one because it reflects stock taking and reward for hard work and good performance”.
“Prizes will be awarded to deserving pupils/students for outstanding performances. To the winners, I say kudos and congratulations.
“I hope that the Teachers are also winning prizes and awards today because we must also reward industry and commitment as a mark of appreciation, encouragement and inspiration.
“I charge the school management to continue to strive for excellence that the entire LASU academic community is now admired for.
“Let the Parents continue to be confident of your capability to give sound, well rounded academic and moral upbringing to their wards”.
Prof. Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University in his speech, stated that LASUIS has lived up to international standard by all the educational planning criteria.
He commended the school for instilling good characters, attitudes and high moral standard in the students and recommended the products of the school for future leadership positions.
“How I wish the future leaders of Nigeria will be products of LASU International School where they will rule with fairness, equity, justice and establishing a corrupt-free society. I can foresee this, going by the standards set by the school management team, teaching and non-teaching staff members,” he said.
At the memorable event, parents and guests were entertained with flawless recitation of poems, choreography, fashion parade and cultural presentations among other side attractions.
