Osun Govt Calls For Parents, Alumni To Deepen Roles In Education As Gbongan High School ’85 Set Celebrates 40th Anniversary
•By OYENIYI KAZEEM
IBADAN – THE Osun State Government has called on parents and alumni associations across the state to deepen their involvement in the educational sector, stressing that sustainable quality education cannot be achieved by government alone.
This call was made on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at the 40th anniversary celebration of the 1985 set of Gbongan Community High School, Gbongan, Osun State, brought together alumni, parents, teachers, students, community leaders, and government representatives.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Eluwole Sunday Adedipo, the Executive Secretary and Zonal Inspector of Education, Mr. Mojeed Kayode Ganiyu, reaffirmed the Adeleke administration’s commitment to revamping education.
He, however, emphasized that critical stakeholders, alumni, parents, and community leaders, must continue to play stronger roles.
“Education is the core of human development, but for it to be truly impactful, parents, old students, and communities must complement government efforts. Nothing influences a child’s success more than responsible parenting, and no reform can thrive without strong alumni support,” he said.
The Commissioner praised the Gbongan ’85 alumni for employing teachers, awarding scholarships, and renovating facilities to fill gaps created by staffing shortages.
He urged them to sustain such efforts as government continues to roll out policies anchored on achievement standards, curriculum strength, quality of teaching, learning environment, guidance and counselling, leadership effectiveness, and school-community partnerships.
Speaking at the event, Guest lecturer, Dr. Hezekiah Olaniran of the University of Ibadan, raised alarm over the declining quality of secondary education in Nigeria, citing poor teacher training, social media distractions, and the challenges of the AI era as factors worsening student performance.
“We must be careful, because what we call education today is producing half-baked graduates. When teachers are poorly trained and students are more on TikTok than on textbooks, then society is in trouble. And with the dawn of Artificial Intelligence, many are becoming lazy.
“Only students with critical thinking, strong values, and sound training will survive. That is why alumni, parents, and governments must act together. Anyone who says education is a scam is the true victim of ignorance.”
In his welcome address, the Director General of the Alumni Association (Set ’85), Aremo Olusegun Oyindasola, expressed concern over the persistent shortage of teachers in the school. He revealed that for more than eight years, the alumni had employed about 15 teachers to support learning.
“For us, Gbongan Community High School is our pride and our root. It was because we had good teachers during our time that we became professors, judges, business moguls, and leaders.”
“We will not abandon our school because this is the soil that nurtured us. This is why we keep stepping in to pay teachers, to repair classrooms, and to award scholarships. But we cannot do it alone, we plead with government to do more, so that our children can have the same solid foundation we had.”
Meanwhile, Revd (Major) Femi Ade Olojede, the 1985 Senior Prefect (Boys), gave an emotional speech recalling how his years in Gbongan Community High School prepared him for discipline and leadership.
“This school taught me discipline. It taught me courage. It taught me to respect authority and to also lead when the moment calls for it. If not for the strong foundation I got here, I might not have risen to the level I am today in the military and in ministry. That is why I will continue to give back. Our generation must make sure that the ladder that lifted us up is not broken for the next.”
On her part, Chief (Mrs.) Bukola Oni, who was the Senior Prefect (Girls) in 1985, paid tribute to the teachers who shaped her. She encouraged current students not to see their background as a limitation.
“I stand here today as a woman who rose from the classrooms of Gbongan Community High School to leadership in business and community life. What made the difference were my commitment, dedication, teachers, their discipline, their encouragement, and their belief that we could succeed. I want to tell every student listening to me today: your background should not put your back on the ground. With determination and hard work, you can go far, just like many of us here.”
The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the newly built school signboard. Present at the event were the Acting Permanent Secretary of TESCOM, Mrs. Farotimi, alongside several dignitaries and community leaders.