Private schools deserve govt support -Dr Oke, Executive Director, Excel College

Governments at all levels have been urged to give adequate support to private schools in the country towards achieving qualitative education for the Nigerian child.

Executive Director, Excel College, Ejigbo, Lagos, Dr. Bamidele Oke made the appeal, while speaking with our correspondent on the resumption of classes in the school after the sad incident of the collapse of a wing  of the building last September. The three story edifice was demolished less than 12 hours on the order of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Dr. Oke explained with delight the progress made by the management to put the school back on track as classes resumed in full capacity.

“Though the future looked gloomy after the unfortunate incident, the encouragement and support from parents and family members was the magical catalyst for a rebuilding process.

“Naturally, it was a sad moment for the school. It was like losing everything. Our SS3 students had some of their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) papers to write and the academic classes were to resume in two days time after the long COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. We were able to salvage the seemingly hopeless situation and ensured our students concluded their examinations under a very comfortable atmosphere, all because of the goodwill of the parents and other stakeholders.

“The founders of the school have always operated a service-first model, rather than a business model. So, once you put service in place everything falls into place. We are one of the few schools that paid full salaries to their staff during Covid-19 lockdown and that keeps our teachers motivated. Our students are happy to be back as we continue to await Lagos State government’s findings from its investigations. And we are hopeful of their support so that this legacy will continue to live on.”

He said education remains very important for the growth of any nation and should not be toyed with, noting that in advanced countries, private schools get subvention from the government to run and are not subjected to too many taxes and levies as is the case in Nigeria.

According to him, education cannot be run by the government alone if the desired result must be achieved, hence the need to partner with private school private schools.

“Education should not be toyed with. Whether private or secondary, that’s the foundation and everything we can put on ground for our children. We’re not a country where the government can do it alone. So, good private schools should be encouraged.

“In abroad, private schools get subventions from the government to run. In Nigeria we pay through our noses; government taxes and government levies, so the government should see the private schools as partners in progress. I appeal to the government to support the schools,” he said.

While acknowledging the quick response of the Lagos state government to the collapsed school building, the understanding and co-operation under the pitiable circumstance, he expressed hope that the school will get a fair decision after all the inquiry on the collapsed building. We are operating full capacity, thanks to our parents and friends. We leveraged on the benefits of the philosophy of the school which operates a ‘service-first model, rather than a business model

“The founders of the school promoted these ideals and philosophy right from inception. We are one of the few schools that paid full salaries to their staff during Covid-19 lockdown and that keeps our teachers motivated. Our students are happy to be back as we continue to await Lagos State government’s findings from its investigations. And we are hopeful of their support so that this legacy will continue to live on.”

“Initially, we were looking for other places to set-up but the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) advised us to look inwards and utilise school properties, just around the demolished structure. And with their support we started work. Within two months we have been able to put things together.

“We started with five weeks of online teaching. But we are pleasantly surprised at the number of students that returned  on the resumption day. It was beyond our imagination. We are operating at full capacity in the new and very comfortable structures, equipped with modern teaching aids.

“The truth is that whichever way, government remains the father of all and they can always extend support no matter how little it is,” Dr. Oke added.