By Gabriel Dike
It was celebrations galore at the 30th anniversary of Ferscoat International School, Ipaja, Lagos, as the Lagos State Government and stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of the school in the provision of quality education.
The grand finale of the school’s 30th celebration, which attracted Lagos State Ministry of Education officials, a traditional ruler, parents, former students and well-wishers, witnessed various programmes such as testimony by the proprietor, conferment of awards, album presentation, praise session and book presentation on the history of the school.
In her address, the director-general, Office of Quality Assurance, Lagos State, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, commended the school for providing quality education in the last 30 years to pupils.
Seriki-Ayeni, who was represented by the coordinating director in the office, Mrs. Ayodeji Adebara, also lauded Ferscoat School teachers for remaining committed to teaching the pupils.
She described the celebration as a milestone attained by the school, adding, “we look forward to a bright future ahead of the school.”
Seriki-Ayeni assured the proprietor that the state government is ready to collaborate with the school to continue with the provision of quality education.
Representative of the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District I, Mr. Taiwo Aremu, said the state government cannot fund education alone and need the support of private schools to provide quality education. He described the school as partners in the quest to deliver quality education to Lagosians.
Aremu described the proprietor of Ferscoat International School as a resilient educationist, who worked hard to achieve success in the last 30 years. He prayed the school would continue to progress well in the discharge of its responsibilities.
Proprietor of Ferscoat International School, Ipaja, Pastor Felix Opata, said he started his teaching career with a school in Ogun State, organized coaching classes in 1993 for students around his area and home lesson.
Opata revealed that after he was sacked from a private school in Lagos, he concentrated on his coaching centre and the inspiration to start Ferscoat Primary School came in 1993.
He stated: “Our first set of students graduated in 1995 and the current principal is one of the pupils. In 1993, we had 48 pupils but in 1995, we had over 400 pupils.”
Pastor Opata said Ferscoat Secondary School started in 1997 with few students, adding, “we had a challenge, our students did not want to write West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in the school. Many of them moved to other schools to write WAEC.
“We have zero tolerance for exam malpractice. Our students and parents have embraced our stand on exam malpractice. We have dedicated teachers who prepared our students for exams. Thirty years have not been rosy.’’
The educationist appealed to the state government through the ministry of education to come to the aid of private schools financially. He said the current economic situation has made it difficult for them to operate effectively despite the payment of school fees by parents.
He also made a passionate appeal to the government to reduce taxes, reduce interest rates from borrowings for projects and intervention funds for the development of schools.
“We also want the government to help in the fight against exam malpractice. This is killing the educational system in Nigeria and if care is not taken, we shall soon not have a crop of graduates that can defend their certificates,” he stated.
The principal of the school, Mr. Fred Opata, highlighted the development strides of Ferscoat Secondary School since inception in 1997
Among the achievements listed by the principal include the foundation stone of Ferscoat Academy’s permanent site laid in October 2020, the purchase of a 50KVA generator for the three schools in January 2017, the maiden conduct of SSCE on May 2, 2003, with 32 students, the inauguration of parent-teacher association on June 6, 2004.
Others were the school’s approval by the Lagos State Ministry of Education on July 22, 2004; it won a series of awards by students, who participated in several competitions, awarded scholarships to 10 pupils from Olude community, placed 3rd and 6th at the Spelling Bee competition at state and national levels and excursion to Ghana in 2009 with 17 students.
A parent, Pastor Joshua Udeme Moses, said his kids passed through the school and are doing well in their different careers.
Pastor Moses confirmed the school has zero tolerance for examination malpractice and with dedicated teachers, who prepared the students ahead of exams.
He said the school hold Saturday lessons to revise what was taught from Monday to Friday. Moses disclosed that the school also administers a series of tests on the students before they write WAEC or NECO.
Moses disclosed that Ferscoat School students’ performance in WAEC and NECO has been excellent, noting, “after 30 years I see the school moving to greater heights.”