Sikirat Shehu
The principal, Masha Allah Group of Schools, Garba Ahmad has stressed the need for adequate attention to be given to education sector in Nigeria to make it viable saying education is the bedrock of any developed society thus, has to be prioritized.
Ahmad, who stated this in an interview with our reporter on the sideline of the Career Day/Quiz and Debate of the school, held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, also said teaching as a profession should be given priority in the country, priority in terms of incentive, welfare for teachers and salary as at when due. If teachers are well to do; they will be motivated to train the leaders of tomorrow effectively and efficiently.
“Having education is the bedrock because certificate is just to certify what you know. For instance, you might be a farmer, if you have certificate, and you want to get a loan from government you have to tender the certificate because that certify you to get that.
“Government should try as much as possible to strengthen the education system right from primary school level and put child right education in place, once we have that; Nigeria will get it right,” he said.
Speaking on the rationale behind the programme which is first of its kind since the establishment of the school in 2002, Ahmad explained that career day was initiated for primary school learners to have sense of belonging, adding that “students think of what to become when they get to senior class but we want to orientate the pupils at the tender age for them so build on it as the they grow.”
He further explained that the school authority want the learners to realize that profession is not only about becoming doctor or lawyer but there are lots of other professions that are out there for people to engage in and be successful in life.
“We have about 11 professions; teaching, farming, engineering, pilot, footballer, nurse, surgeon, lawyer, and the rest. This day is just to let our pupils know that it is not only medical doctor or engineer they keep mentioning when they are asked what do they want to become, but we also have other professions they can choose to become someone great in life. All of us can not be lawyers or doctors,” he added.
The pupils dressed in different professional attires and had presentations according to their professions which made the event colorful and productive.
The debate between JSS 3 and JSS 2 classes had Ziyadat Abubakar and Abdullah Yahya-Imam as the best presenters, they were recognized and received gifts.
