Schools are not for revenue-making, Jawondo tells stakeholders

The Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin (CPSS), Prof. Abdulganiyu Ibrahim Jawondo, has enjoined stakeholders, particularly the government, to ensure that educational institutions are removed from the list of revenue-making establishments.

Prof. Jawondo stated this last Monday (January 22, 2024) while delivering a lecture to mark the 19th combined convocation ceremonies of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.

He added that education must remain a social service and that government should not expect any form of financial profits from the investment ploughed into them.

Prof. Jawondo, who is also a former Director, Centre for Ilorin Studies (CILS), University of Ilorin, also insisted that for the nation to record positive growth on all fronts, only qualified and competent professionals should be engaged to teach at all levels of education.

The renowned scholar said that education is too important to the peace and development of any society for just anyone to be engaged to teach, saying that those who must be employed to teach must not only be knowledgeable but must also be well trained to teach others.

Prof. Jawondo, who is an alumnus of the College, said that selection of would-be teachers should be thorough and rigorous and must be assessed through adequate physical interview.

The Convocation Lecturer also enjoined parents and guardians to have a positive attitude towards teaching as a profession as he said that discouraging children from pursuing teaching as a career was wrong.

Prof. Jawondo, who was the Chairman of the Visitation Panel to the Kwara State College of Education, Oro, also condemned the growing lack of discipline among teachers. He explained that teachers must always be disciplined for them to produce disciplined future leaders for the nation.

The renowned scholar also decried the delay in the payment of salaries of teachers, saying that the delay is unsatisfactory just as the inadequacy of the emoluments of teachers particularly at this era of unbridled inflation is worrisome.

While stressing the need for massive employment of teachers for our schools to be properly manned, Prof. Jawondo added that for the teachers to give their best, their working conditions must be improved upon.

He also bemoaned the increasing attack on teachers by students and parents in schools as he urged stakeholders to address the issue clinically and urgently in order to stem the tide.

To ensure greater development of our educational institutions, Prof. Jawondo appealed to other stakeholders like the alumni associations, community development associations, philanthropists and trade unions to support the government towards enhancing the physical infrastructures of the schools around them.

He particularly encouraged  the alumni of the Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, to pull resources together towards assisting the College in meeting its needs.

Prof. Jawondo, who commended the management, staff and students of the College of Education, for keeping the flag  flying, enjoined the graduands to protect the alluring image of the College wherever they find themselves.

He also urged them not to limit their knowledge as he encouraged them to further their education for them to remain relevant and attain prominence in life.

The Convocation Lecture was attended by the management staff and alumni of the College as well as dignitaries from far and near.