By Adesina Wahab

The Catholic Archbishop of Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr Alfred Adewale Martins, has said teachers who lack moral values and etiquette will find it difficult to inculcate such in their students, as one cannot give what he doesn’t have.

Also, the Catholic Bishop has noted that it is wrong for parents to totally leave the moral upbringing of their wards and children in the hands of teachers.

He stated this at the weekend on the sideline of the unveiling of a new logo for the St Augustine College of Education, Akoka, Lagos. The institution is owned by the Catholic Church.

Martins, who was the Chief Host at the event, said teachers, parents and the church have roles to play in stemming the tide of moral decadence in the society.

“I advocate that since it is in the school that children are formed in their habits and behaviours, it and those working there, especially the teachers, must be in the vanguard of moral regeneration in the society. Therefore, teachers must not lack the moral values they want their students to imbibe.

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“The values include honesty, selflessness and working for the common good of all. Teachers, parents and the church must be alive to that responsibility. Parents must join in the crusade. This is not the time for anyone to feel unconcerned,” he said.

On why mission school students excel in examinations such as UTME, WASSCE and others, Martins said the spirit of hard work is usually inculcated in the students from the start.

He commended the management of the school led by the Acting Provost, Rev Fr Dr Vincent Olofinkua, for turning around the fortunes of the college positively.

Olofinkua, who said the new logo was designed by a student of the college, added that its programmes were all accredited, as it is affiliated to the University of Ibadan.

“We are telling the public that St Augustine College of Education is a place where they can get quality education for their children and wards. Despite being a private institution, our charges are very competitive because our focus is not on profit making, but to contribute positively to our society and use our services to propagate the gospel,” he said.

The Provost added that in conjunction with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, a programme is run to help teachers get certificated by the council.