One on One interview with Mrs. Oladipo Proprietress, TOMVIC Group of Schools, Ilasa, Lagos.

One on One interview with Mrs. Oladipo Proprietress, TOMVIC Group of Schools, Ilasa, Lagos. Parents also have a lot to do. They should stop relying on ‘mercenaries’ to help their children/ward carryout exam malpractice so they can pass at all cost….. Well, I would still firmly say let the children use their hands to write their future, and if they fail the first time then they will do better on next try.- Mrs. Oladipo Funmilayo

As the founder of TOMVIC private school, would you want to tell us how long your school has been in existence?

Well, our school started 26 years ago.

As the Zonal Leader would say that NAPPS as a body has fully represented the interest of her members?

For Ilasa here we have been working together and there hasn’t been any form of misrepresentation. For instance just recently I was instructed to represent the chairperson of our chapter in a meeting and reported to her to brief her about the outcome of the meeting. I also ensure that information goes round to all the members here in Ilasa as we speak just before you came in I was composing a text message to be sent to all member schools here. In addition I’ve had about eight people call me today (27/8/14) on the issue of resumption date but I told them to calm down and promised to update them on the recent development. So we’ve been working together.

Of course for a body or institution certain challenges and that includes NAPPS, as the Zonal Leader what are some of the key challenges you are faced with?

One of the challenges we are facing here is that not all the members do not attend the meeting despite all our efforts to make them the benefits. Again, the problem of inferiority complex by some schools, some of them believe it is only schools that have been approved by the government are qualified to join the association. However, we have been educating them a lot on that area. For instance, I joined NAPPS before I got my approval from the government and I have been benefiting tremendously. In that light, some people decide to join the body that is not recognized by the government, so they can share the same idea.  And these have been problems we are facing. Surprisingly, those that have refused to join still get information from us because they believe NAPPS is a strong body.

What are the requirements to become a NAPPS member?

Well, all they have to do is to pick up a form at a cost of N1, 000 fill and submit to the appropriate channel. In addition, there is a monthly due to be paid by all members, children’s day celebration and NAPPS day, although we don’t pay much here in our chapter.

You seem to be holding back the amount paid as monthly due and other activities charges?

The total money to be paid annually is not much and it differs chapter by chapter. It is also determined by the chairperson like our current chairperson here encourages all to pay their dues once which had not been happening before. You also pay up at the Zonal level because that is what we use to organize activities at the zonal and chapter level as well.

Despite the increasing number of schools, some still believe the standard of education has fallen. Do you agree with this?

I agree with that because as more schools are coming up the standard tend to be dropping. Yes! We need more schools but the standard is questionable. What I’m charging here as school fees cannot be charged if it were a new school because my school has been existing for over two decades now. We will not compromise standard by employing unqualified staffs. In some new, they employ First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) holders as teachers. And of course you know the impact on the kids? Therefore, you can’t compare the unqualified teachers with the NCE holders fro instance. What parents look out for is the money. Here for instance they pay more than in some other schools they pay less. It is about the quality of education the children are receiving.

You would agree, fingers are not equal, some parents are financially buoyant than others which will make them to pay whatever amount for the children/ward’s education, while others will look for alternatives where they can pay less and still get educated. What is NAPPS doing as a body especially within your zone to carter for this category of income earners?

Yes! NAPPS do consider these ones. But you know environment differs. What we are charging here at upper Mushin is different from what is charged in Ilupeju for instance same goes to schools in Itire but they are all inside Mushin. So we do consider low income earners.

Invariable, you mean no matter where the school is located, it can still maintain standard and provide affordable education?

Yes! School owners should improve on their standard. And stop the encouragement of terrible physical structure(School Buildings) and even personnel (Teachers).

Government has come to the reality that private schools have come to stay alongside public schools but what do you think government can do to help private school owners?

Government needs to do a lot for the private schools. One is the area of continuous and intense supervision. As this will help keep school owners on their toes, since inspecting is not taken seriously the way it should it should that is why many sub standard schools are springing up. Without improper inspection the schools will keep doing as they like. Government should not only train public school teachers but should carry private schools along, since we are all carter for all the children of the same nation. Private schools mustn’t be excluded when aids is given from abroad, we (private school owners) should be encouraged. Now! Look at our staff force can government employ them all. At lease we’ve helped to reduce the unemployment rate. For instance look at the EKO Project. It is only the private schools that are enjoying it which is not supposed to be so.

Can NAPPS come up with a similar initiative?

NAPPS has been doing that.

Hence, you don’t need to look at government since your body is doing that?

Well, we still need the government though, we too cannot fold our arms for example: This Ebola Virus issue, NAPPS had a seminar held on (28/8/14), we have also done seminars on security matters both at the state and zonal level.

Looking at the students, what do you think specifically they can do to help themselves develop?

What they need to do is study more, the problem we are facing now is that students only rely on what they’ve been thought in classroom alone. They don’t read to find out about ahead about a subject or topic. Parents also have a lot to do. They should stop relying on ‘mercenaries’ to help their children/ward carryout exam malpractice so they can pass at all cost. It has become a common trend that now that the students re in upper class after their SS2 class you will not see them when they are supposed to join for SS3 as the school resumes. As they search for where their children/ward can go write and pass their exams at once. Parents need to allow their Children/Ward use their hands to write their future. And any teacher or school aiding exam malpractice are not helping the students at all because these kids end up joining cults in higher institution and are in desperate search for those to help them write their exams.  I have never followed any of my children to any of their exams from primary through higher institution years and would not allow any of my teachers to do that more importantly it is against my belief. Imagine a parent confessing that this school is good but when the child gets to SS3 the child is taken away to another school. Well, that is wrong and it’s not helping the children at all and a cheat on some schools as well. Well, I would still firmly say let the children use their hands to write their future, and if they fail the first time then they will do better on next try.

Nigeria is 54 years in October as an independent state, what is your final message for all our esteemed readers?

My message is that we should try more in all aspect of education. Nigerians have talents, potentials and give room for proper development everybody will do a white collar job, vocational skills must be encouraged. Finally, our youths can combine vocational skills and formal education as they will not be jobless at the end of the day.

Thank you!