There was an outpouring of commendation in Kogi State as more than 300 vulnerable and indigent students benefited from a one-month free summer lesson organised by the Iko-Jush Foundation in collaboration with the Kogi State Ministry of Education.
Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that the programme, held at the GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo, Lokoja, was designed to keep students academically engaged during the long vacation, improve their knowledge and help them remain focused on their educational and career aspirations.
Although the summer lesson has ended, stakeholders at the closing ceremony called for the initiative to be sustained and replicated by philanthropists, corporate organisations and other non-governmental organisations across the state.
They said programmes of such nature were particularly important for vulnerable children, as they could help reduce idleness and exposure to social vices during prolonged school holidays.
For many children, the long school vacation is a period for relaxation and recreation. However, for the beneficiaries of the Iko-Jush Foundation’s initiative, the vacation provided an opportunity to learn, develop new skills and remain academically active.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the organiser of the programme, Reuben Joshua, said the initiative was founded on the belief that education remains a powerful tool for shaping the future of young people.
“Sound education is a way of life. It is also a means of programming the minds of young people to remain on the right path,” Joshua said.
He disclosed that the summer lesson had entered its fourth edition, expressing satisfaction with the impact the programme had made on the beneficiaries.
According to him, the foundation was committed to bridging the educational gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and those who had greater access to educational opportunities.
“I am fulfilled that this initiative is helping to bridge the educational gap between children who have never had the opportunity to sit in a classroom and those who are more privileged,” he said.
Joshua, however, appealed to individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support the programme, saying greater assistance would enable the foundation to sustain and expand its reach.
The Vice Principal, Administration of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Ladi Ahmedi, who represented the Principal, Ajofe Yakubu Godwin, commended the foundation for introducing the programme.
Ahmedi described the initiative as a laudable intervention, noting that it provided the students with an opportunity to remain academically engaged throughout the holiday.
She also praised the parents for supporting their children’s participation and commended the volunteer teachers who sacrificed their vacation to teach the students.
“We appreciate the organiser for this initiative. We also commend the parents and the volunteer teachers who chose to dedicate their holiday to teaching these children rather than simply staying at home to relax,” she said.
The Chairman of KONGONET, Hamza Aliu, alongside other leaders of non-governmental organisations, also praised the Iko-Jush Foundation for what they described as a timely and impactful educational intervention.
Aliu said the programme demonstrated the positive role that civil society organisations could play in complementing government’s efforts in the education sector.
He pledged his support for the initiative and urged other organisations and philanthropists to emulate the foundation.
“We encourage other NGOs, philanthropists and well-meaning individuals to support initiatives like this because education is a collective responsibility,” Aliu said.
He also called on parents to remain actively involved in the upbringing and education of their children, stressing the need for proper guidance, supervision and moral support.
Representatives of the Kogi State Ministry of Education, including Mariam Muhammed, who represented the Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, commended the Iko-Jush Foundation for organising the programme.
They said the initiative was consistent with the government’s efforts to promote access to quality education and create a conducive environment for children to learn and develop.
The ministry representatives urged the beneficiaries to take the lessons learnt during the programme seriously and become good ambassadors of their families, schools and communities.
Also speaking, Daniel Praise, who represented the royal father and traditional leader of Adankolo, joined other dignitaries in applauding the organisers.
He emphasised the importance of education to the development of individuals and society, noting that investing in young people remained an investment in the future.
“Education remains one of the strongest foundations for the development and progress of any society. We must therefore continue to encourage initiatives that give children access to learning,” he said.
The founder of Dual Care HIV Preventive Initiative, Roseline Alabi, also commended the foundation for its intervention in the education sector.
Alabi acknowledged the contributions of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, to the education sector and called for continued government support for initiatives aimed at improving educational opportunities for vulnerable children.
She urged stakeholders to work together to ensure that the free summer lesson programme remained sustainable.
The closing ceremony also featured moments of fun and excitement as the students celebrated the successful completion of the programme.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the foundation, the volunteer teachers and other stakeholders for providing them with the opportunity to learn during the long vacation.
In recognition of their commitment, special awards were presented to volunteer teachers who participated in the programme.
The foundation also announced four students as beneficiaries of its annual scholarship scheme.
As part of its contribution to the host school, the Iko-Jush Foundation donated notebooks for onward distribution to students when they resume for the new academic session.
Stakeholders at the event urged other individuals, philanthropists, private organisations and NGOs to emulate the foundation by investing in educational programmes that would keep vulnerable children engaged, improve their academic performance and protect them from negative influences during school holidays.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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