EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Oyemekun Boys Will Continue To Make Ondo State Proud- Ogunleye

Mr Ogunleye Okeowo is principal of Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State. The PATH Editor- in -Chief, Dupson Collins speaks with him on the activities line up for the 2021/2022 academic, orientation programme for new students, low school fees by the government among others.

How prepared are you and your teachers as school resumed for another academic session?

We are fully prepared and ready for real academic exercise. We are happy to be back after weeks of holiday. To show also that our students were happy to resumed, we recorded turn out of over 3000 students on the first day of resumption, that shows our level of preparation. According to established tradition of Principal Test, the first academic exercise for the students is the principal test which form part of the students continuous assessment. To the new JSS 1 students, “Meet The Principal” will afford them opportunity to meet the principal, where they will be taken round the school in other to acclamatise with their new environment which is different from where they are coming from.

What are some of the extra curriculum activities line up for the first term of the session?

In our second and third weeks, that will be our counselling weeks for the students, most especially for the newly admitted JSS 1 students. In the fourth week, we are inaugurating about 15 clubs and societies and by the eighth week, sporting activities will begin among others activities. The term is loaded with a lot of programmes, both academically and extra curriculum activities.

On the number of students admitted into JSS1, can you give a figure?

The admission is still in progress and yet to be completed. The Ministry of Education sent 450 candidates to us and we are still doing registration. So, for now, I can’t give a definite figures of admitted students, maybe at the end of the whole exercise, then, we can talk of precise figures of admitted.

Oyemekun Grammar has a standard, what are you doing to ensure the new intake key into the value system of the school?

We are trying our best to continue to keep the flag flying; to our new students, as they were being admitted, code of conduct and prospect of the school were given to them; that is to show them the standard we are expecting from them. I addressed the parents two weeks to resumption, telling them Oyemekun Grammar School is not just anyhow school and letting them know why their children need to cope with the set standards of the school. So, the new students have been given rules and regulations on how to behave academically and morally within the four walls of the school. One thing you need know about this year admission is that, we set standard, our cut-off mark is 232; it is our believe that the newly admitted students will cope and meet all the set standards that make Oyemekun the only school in Ondo State.

It’s now a crime for principals or teachers to collect unapproved fees from students; what is your leadership doing to ensure strict compliance with the government directive?

Yes of course; we can’t go against the directives of the government. I thank our Mr Talk and Do Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, he has really demonstrated that he meant well for the parents and education sectors. He has done well for the parents. Visit any state in the South West, Ondo State pay least school fees; parents are not paying anything when compared to other states. We need to commend the state government in this regard. We have been told not to collect any illegal money from parents and on that we stand in my school. All parents have been directed to pay their children approved fees into the bank, we are not collecting any money from the parents aside the one’s approved by the government.

How is your school complying with the Covid-19 protocols now that students are back to classrooms?

Yes, we are praying that the deadly virus will end soon. As we were directed by the authority, it is total compliance and nothing short of that. We ensure all our students always wear their masks, wash hands with soap and water. We also went a step further by distributing hands sanitizer to every classroom. While observing the protocols among our students, teachers and non teaching staff are not exempted, we are all in it together because health is wealth.

What distinguishes Oyemekun Grammar School from other schools in Ondo State?

It is because of our academic excellence. Of recent, we went to Ibadan for a school debate organised by the Nigerian Army, out of the 29 states that participated in the competition, Oyemekun Grammar School came second. Also, at Police Academy, we came first, likewise at Elizade University, we came first. So, if I say we are the only school in Ondo State, I am more than correct. At Ibadan competition, our students were adjudged best debaters and the teacher that went with the students was awarded as best in coaching the students. We are the best, sentiment apart.
In sporting arena, around February this year, we represented Ondo State in 4 by 4 relay race, we came first out of the 22 states that participated in the track event, in swimming, Oyemekun came second and Volleyball ,we came first. It is Oyemekun and others.

How supportive is the Old Students of the school?

Great! They are wonderful people whose love for their Alma mater is very paramount. I want to thank the Old Students for their unalloyed love and support for the school since I took over as the head teachers of the school. We can today boast of a new Lawn Tennis Court being constructed by the Lagos Chapter of the Old Students Association. Ekiti State Chapter donated 100 Stools likewise Ibadan Chapter. Also, Ekiti Chapter under the leadership of Mr Adeniji Lijogun donated 100 Stools and 20 tables. The 1986/87/88 sets renovated the Science/Agric Laboratories; 1980 set renovated the Counseling Department, 1982 is constructing a Carteen for us among other laudable projects from different sets and private individual.

What is your message to the both the old and new students as academic exercise keep off?

They should not play away their precious time on frivolities but rather concentrate on the reason why their parents sent them to school. Oyemekun Grammar School is noted for excellence, we don’t settle for less, with God on our side, we will continue to soar higher, win more laurels and make Ondo State proud.