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From Ben Dunno, Warri
The Old Boys Association of Government College Ughelli, (GCUOBA), Delta State, said it has almost concluded the process of getting government to approve its concession request, as a way of improving the quality of education. President General, GCUOBA, Chief Albert Akpomudje (SAN), announced this intention at a press conference marking the 80th anniversary of Government College Ughelli.
He said: “The planned concession has become imperative towards improving the school’s standards. It pains us that the standard has fallen to the level it is to the extent that we have to set up a committee to liaise with the Principal to ensure structural maintenance and welfare of the students.
“Maintaining the structures without improving the standard of education in the school will amount to nothing. Consequently, some of the old boys have taken up the responsibilities among themselves paying teachers for extra lectures for the students while some branches are taking up the promotion of Science Education to encourage science education among students.
“We are urging state government to concession the management of the school to the old students. If government give us that opportunity which is already at the discussion level, people will see the benefits and will even be more interested to send their children to Government College than private schools.
“It pains us. So, we are now talking with government. We have made our proposals. Government has sent delegations. We have done our feasibility studies, which cost us over N30million because we don’t want a situation where when we take it up and we fail. We have everything in place. It is just for government to give us the go ahead.
“When that time comes, we’ll be in charge of the teachers, we’ll control the employment of teachers, we’ll control the admission and ensure that unless you pass the admission examination, you can’t come in.
That is what we are looking forward to. And we hope between now and January 2025, government will deem it fit to give us a positive answer. Even if that is the only thing they will give us as we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the school, we will be grateful for it.
“There are people ready to finance the take-off of the school if it is handed over to us. And that has happened in two other schools, which started this idea. There is Government College, Umuahia, government has ceded it to the old boys to run. The same thing happened with Government College, Ibadan.
“King’s College is following. Queen’s College is also following because government does not have the capacity to really manage the schools the way they deserve because schools are so many, unlike in those days.
“We are not talking of making profit from the proposal but to keep the students comfortable and maintain the facilities. That is our idea.”
Akpomudje disclosed that a major aspect of the activities to mark next year’s anniversary with the theme; “80 Years of Excellence, Honouring the Past and Inspiring the Future,” will be foundation laying of a N3billion legacy project for the construction of a 1,000-capacity auditorium in the school by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
