From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Worried about the deteriorating education situation in public and private schools and the craze for magic/miracle centres by exam candidates, often supported by some parents, the Catholic Archbishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has called on both the parents and perpetrators to have a rethink.
Sending out this plea during the 16th Annual Celebration of the Patron Feast, Parents and Sponsors Day of Tansi International College, Awka, Anambra State held recently, Rev. Ezeokafor added that making the students go through academic rigour rather than opting for mercenaries to write exams for them would help to instill in them the virtues of hard work, diligent study and the drive for excellence.
The Catholic Bishop also frowned at the level of moral decadence in the society and lamented that most schools around the country today lack the spiritual knowledge needed to groom the students, hence the creation of the academic gap today being filled by faith-based schools in Nigeria’s education sector. He appealed to the understanding of parents on why some of the schools charge higher fees, attributing it to the fact that they don’t receive government subvention.
In an address presented during the ceremony, the Principal, Tansi International College, Awka, Rev. Fr. Paul Onyebuchi 11, noted that where to send their children for secondary school education, after their primary, has always constituted the most critical decision for parents. He added that Tansi International College has always been at the forefront of contributing to quality education, comprising of academic and moral excellence.
The annual celebration of the school also featured the recognition of the academic high flyers who excelled above their mates in the last academic year. Two blood brothers, Obidiegwu Stanley and Obidiegwu Victor, were the stars of the day and the cynosure of eyes during the celebration. While the younger Obidiegwu Stanley, 16, now in SS3 was the overall best student in SS2 class with 78.3% the elder Obidiegwu Victor made the overall best in the 2015 WASSC exams. The annual ceremony also featured the presentation of cultural dances, masquerades and other entertainment activities by the students.