The Class of 1983 of Ascension High School, Nchia- Eleme, in Rivers State has inaugurated an annual scholarship scheme for four outstanding students of the school. The scholarships are for the overall best students JS1, JS2, SS1 and SS2.
At the inauguration of the scheme, the President of the Class of 1983, Dr. Vitalis Ofuru, called on government and stakeholders to take necessary steps to improve the economy of the country and invest in education.
Dr. Ofuru said, “Huge investments are required now in the education sector if our children must develop their optimal potential and compete with their contemporaries in other regions of the world.
“Education should not only end with what is taught in the classroom. We must raise the stakes for moral and civic education. We should also activate the sporting and entrepreneurial spirit in our youth right from the school system. The digital world today is driven by people who honed their skills and craft while in school.
“The principle of ‘Catch Them Young’ must return, and return to the schools. Our students should be trained in using their heads, hands and hearts.”
Dr. Ofuru said, “The decision to provide this scholarship for students of our alma mater was borne out of our recognition of the possibility of bright students dropping out due to the difficulties parents might be going through to pay school fees due to our current economic realities.
“Many parents these days can hardly put food on the table, let alone pay the fees required to keep their wards in school.”
Apart from the scholarship scheme, Dr. Ofuru said the class would also intervene in other areas of development in the school.
The Principal of the school, Rev. Fr Peter Amadi, thanked the Class of ’83 for the initiative and called for better pay for teachers. He also called for a policy to compel politicians to enroll their children in Nigerian schools, so that they can appreciate the state of the education sector.
“If the government will pass a law that anyone who is serving the public in any government position should make sure that the children school in Nigeria, I think that will help us.”
Speaking on behalf of the recipients, the Senior Prefect (Boys), Gospel Nwachukwu, who got a full session scholarship for emerging as the best SS2 student at the end of the previous academic year, thanked the association for the initiative.
Nwachukwu called on his fellow students to take their studies seriously in order to stand a chance of benefitting subsequently.
A total of N105,000 was paid for each of the four recipients for the three terms in the current academic year, while the best performing SS2 student in Literature and Chemistry, respectively received the Dr. Vitalis Ofuru award of N50,000 naira each.
