Stakeholders in the education sector have described as far-reaching, the roles played by alumni associations in the development of their Alma mater.
They have also advised players to key into the new normal occasioned by covid19 by embracing technology to develop the sector.
Distinguished Agsoba (Hon.) Lanre Laoshe, President-General, Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys Association and Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola, Vice-chancellor, Chrisland University Abeokuta made these submissions on Friday while featuring on the maiden “Discussion Continues with Dare Adedotun” – an online programme organized by Tripod Media Company Limited.
Discussing the roles of Alumni Associations, Hon. Laoshe noted that Abeokuta Grammar School Old Students Association being the first Alumni Association in Nigeria is not relenting in playing the “big brother role” towards the development of the school, highlighting the provision of educational/instructional materials, conducive learning environment, infrastructure among others as part of its achievements.
“We want to ensure that all needed materials are available for all students in the School no matter what it costs the Association; the parents only make the child available that’s all”, he added.
He reiterated that Abeokuta Grammar School since the closure of academics owing to the outbreak of Covid-19 has embraced online teaching for students with noticeable positive results.
While praising all efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic, Hon. Laoshe urged Nigerians to exercise patience on reopening of schools, saying it is better to lose an academic session than lose any child.
In her submission on “educational development in post covid19 era”, Prof. Chinedum Peace Babalola Vice-chancellor, Chrisland University Abeokuta, urged Nigerians most especially professionals in the academia to embrace the positive sides brought by the closure of schools, saying Chrisland University has invested massively in technology and partnered relevant companies to match up with the current realities in running smooth academic sessions.
She said many schools, despite the outbreak of the virus, still run uninterrupted calendar using technology. She revealed that Chrisland University conducted a virtual Matriculation ceremony recently, with the hope of achieving more results through online teaching and learning.
The academic egghead maintained that Nigerians should adopt a blended technology to study and achieve set goals, so that the future of Nigerian students is not jeopardised.
