By Fbele Orakpo

I T was an evening of fun and bliss as Grace High School, Gbagada, Lagos celebrated its golden jubilee. The event which played host to former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as chairman of the occasion, also gathered industry players, past, present students and workers of the school to celebrate. There was a launching of a compendium, and different categories of awards for excellent performance, even as guests were served with palmwine in  calabash.

Speaking at the occasion, the Administrator of the school, Mrs. Tokunbo Edun, appealed to government at all levels to provide qualitative education to Nigerian children as education remains the key to national development.

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This, she said during the launch of a compendium and thanksgiving service to announce the celebration of its golden jubilee. “It is only in Nigeria that people attribute so much to certificate than the development of a child. Education should go beyond grades and certificates, additional skill is equally required for the total development of a child.”

Edun added that most Nigerians would agree that the state of many public educational institutions is nothing to write home about.

Adequate funding

She said, “Education in developed countries is prioritized as a basic need with adequate funding unlike our nation where legislators are given priority. Things must change for us to advance in development.

The trend of teaching and non-teaching staff in public schools going on strike to press for payment of salaries and provision of necessary facilities, has made public education to develop  gradually.

The major challenge of public education still remains and a commitment by the government to focus on funding public education to enhance qualitative learning requires workable approach towards achieving it.”

Edun stressed that Nigeria cannot consummate democratic governance if half of our population are illiterate and poverty stricken.

She added that high level of poverty and illiteracy always makes the citizens easy to manipulate by dubious politicians. “Election rigging and political violence are common in largely illiterate, poor and under-developed nations,” she said.

Edun speaking on the anniversary said the school was established at the time parents were yearning for an alternative to Federal Government unity schools.