By Richard Thomas
The President, Oyo State Chapter of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools
(ANCOPSS), Pastor Abraham Ojetunde has charged parents, guardians and government to join hands in achieving standard and quality education in the state.
Pastor Ojetunde gave the charge in an interview with Oodua News while assessing the activities of ANCOPSS in the state in the year 2023 saying the body has taken many positive steps at ensuring that education and academic activities thrives and assume best standard.
According to him, it is high time parents and government played their roles in order to contribute meaningfully to standard of education in the state.
Speaking on the activities of the body which covers welfare of members and improve education standard, Pastor Ojetunde said the first issue which was exam malpractice menace in the state has been properly addressed via sensitisation exercise, moving round the schools by members adding that the exercise had yielded positive result.
“ANCOPSS in the state in the year 2023 through concerted efforts embarked on sensitisation exercise and many others activities to ensure that public secondary schools in the state thrived in the best standard.
“Recalled that some schools were indicted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) in respect to examination malpractices in the state but swift measures were taken to address the situation”.
“The condition given to us is that if we can make it possible and ensure that no single school is indicted during examination, such principals that were suspended will be pardoned. Then we sensitized our selves and moved round and it yielded positive results, and this year not a single public secondary school in the state was indicted over exam malpractice.”
Pastor Ojetunde who is the current Chairman of ANCOPSS in South West of the country said all hands have been on deck while all eyes were widely opened on sensitisation and advocacy exercise to ensure that the menace is curbed.
The ANCOPSS boss who commended the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his huge investment in education and prompt payment of workers salary expressed joy that there was not a single case of exam malpractice in Oyo State in the year 2023.
“The state is divided into two blocs, one include Ibadan and Ibarapaland while the other include Oyo, Ogbomoso and Oke Ogun area. We use to facilitate training and hold online meetings where issue are ironed out.”
On educational policies, Pastor Ojetunde said the ministry of education doesn’t leave them on their own but request their input for the progress of education in the state.
Pastor Ojetunde who frowned at what is described as “Orijo” (exam answers), during examination said one of the factors responsible for exam malpractices include cutting corners, indulgence, laziness on the part of the students among others.
The issue of having “Orijo” on internet and other areas must be discouraged. We have told our colleagues to be very vigilant in other to curb the menace.
He said the idea of some parents not having time for their children is a huge factor responsible for the menace.
“The way out is by following the policy of education and due process by parents such that will instill discipline in their children and wards.
