A Professor of Industrial Social Welfare at the University of Ibadan, Majekodunmi Ajala, a former commissioner in Oyo State, Dr. Kayode Afolabi and Femi Johnson, have charged governments at all levels in Nigeria to de-emphasize academic certificates and encourage skill acquisition in youths and students in order to promote economic and national development in the country.
They gave the charge during the 65th Founder’s Day of Lagelu Grammar School {LAGSOBA}, held at the Chief Ayo Labiyi School Hall, Agugu, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Professor Ajala, who spoke on the lecture titled: “The Root Cause, Analysis of Examination Malpractice: Its Impacts on National Development and Appropriate Preventive’’, decried the falling standard in education adding that so many factors which include lack of discipline, laziness and many others have undermined quality of education in the country.
“There are about 10 solutions which talk about how to deal with the menace of falling standard and examination malpractices. One of them is that there should be de-emphasised on certificates, once a certificate is de-emphasized, and we allow skills to complement certificates, this will address the craze for certificates in the country.
The don also admonished parents and teachers to create values that would promote academic excellence and discipline in their children.
In his speech, the National President of LAGSOBA, Dr. Afolabi said the essence of the Founder’s Day was to celebrate the success of their alma mater adding that the school over the years has continued to wax stronger.
The former commissioner charged students of the school to be disciplined and be committed to their studies so that they will come in flying colours and also become good ambassadors like many of the old students.
He also urged them to do away with vices that could stain the school integrity and undermine their studies.
On his part, the Chairman, school’s Governing Board of LAGSOBA, Barrister Femi Johnson, lauded members and committee of the Old Boys of the school for the success of the celebration.
He attributed the menace of examination malpractice to lack of discipline to parents, saying students no longer fear teachers like it was in the past.
Johnson called on parents and teachers to work on measures that would return discipline and the lost glory to schools.
Packaged by Olawale Awe
