Why I Identify With My Students – Oluyide
Adeniyi Oluyide, the Principal of St. Michael’s Catholic High School, Akure in Ondo State has explained the reason he identified himself with the students of the school.
He stated this during the orientation program for the newly admitted JSS1 students into the school.
Oluyide said he identified himself with the students to let them know that there was a time when he was once like them, and he is where he is today because he worked very hard.
“I identified with my students to let them know that I was like them before. I worked very hard to become what I am today.
Seeing me in the school uniform inspired them. Each of them wanted to touch me and I didn’t chase them away, and that is my joy.
Since we started doing it, the students have been performing excellently in their academic work. In the school, we don’t condone any examination malpractice”, he said.
Oluyide said it has been the tradition of the school which they have followed for the past three years.
“It has been the tradition of the school which we have been following for the past three years.
The one for this year is the video trending on the Internet.
Immediately after we conclude the admission process, we usually have a one-week orientation for the newly admitted JSS1 students.
They come from different homes and they are graduating into another level of education, so we organize a program for them.
We want to make them know the rules and regulations of the school, and how to behave”.
On the challenges facing, he said, we are very large numerically, as we need philanthropists who can come to our assistance in terms of buildings.
“We need more classrooms and modern laboratory equipment. We have a large number of students taking science subjects and there’s no way we can teach them without modern laboratory equipment.
We also have some students that are very skilled in creative arts. So we need a fine art classroom for the students”.
I will use this opportunity to appeal to the well-meaning indigenes of the state, the old students of the school, as well as corporations, to come to our aid in this regard.
Oluyide enjoined his students that whatever they want to be in life, they must be ready to pay the price.
” To my students, I tell them that whatever they want to be in life, they must be ready to pay the price.
If they want to succeed, the price is hard work. They need to face their studies, ask their parents to buy them the necessary materials, and make sure they assist their parents.
Also, parents must not leave the education of their children to the teachers or the government alone.
The government is trying, as they have a lot to cover, therefore the parents need to come together and assist with the little money they have”.
