Former Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, has called on schools to prioritize excellence beyond examination grades, focusing on character, skills, and usefulness to society. He made this statement during the 30th anniversary celebration of Halifield Schools in Lagos, where he delivered the keynote address. The event, themed "Excellence, legacy, and inspiring the future," brought together the school's founder, parents, alumni, staff, and board members to reflect on three decades of the institution.
Adebayo commended the founder of Halifield Schools, Mrs. Halima Oke, for leaving her position at the National Universities Commission to pursue her passion for education. He noted that her decision to establish the school 30 years ago has grown into an educational legacy with campuses in Maryland and Lekki, Lagos. Adebayo emphasized that the true measure of a school is not only what its students know but who they become, stressing the importance of character and skills development.
The former vice-chancellor charged teachers to see themselves as builders of future leaders and custodians of values, emphasizing that excellence is sustained through continuous improvement, discipline, and commitment to holistic development. He urged students to take personal responsibility for excellence by reading widely, asking questions, respecting their teachers, and using technology responsibly. Adebayo warned against examination malpractice and shortcuts to success, encouraging students to aim to understand and grow.
Adebayo stressed that schools must prepare students not just to pass examinations but to excel in life through creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills that will make them relevant in a changing world. He encouraged students to become useful members of society, saying, "Do not merely aim to pass. Aim to understand. Aim to grow. Aim to become useful." This approach, he believes, will enable students to make a positive impact in their communities.
Mrs. Halima Oke, the founder of Halifield Schools, recounted the school's early days, starting with a handful of pupils and initially facing financial difficulties. She revealed that she took no salary for several years before the school broke even. Oke noted that her decision to build skills acquisition into the school's curriculum, despite initial skepticism from some parents, has unlocked confidence in pupils considered academically weak.
The founder highlighted the school's growth, including the establishment of Halifield College in 2012, which was driven by demand from parents whose children were completing primary school. Oke said the greatest reward of the 30-year journey is the children who have passed through the school and gone on to different parts of Nigeria and the world. She expressed pride in the school's achievements and its impact on the lives of its students.
Principal of Halifield Schools, Mrs. Frances Ozuchukwu, noted that the 30-year milestone is a testament to the founder's vision, citing consistent strong performance in various examinations. She highlighted the school's ability to sustain learning during the COVID-19 pandemic through an online platform and recent infrastructure additions, including a swimming pool and a new hostel under construction. Ozuchukwu expressed her vision for the next 30 years, stating that it "must be bigger than the first, not necessarily in size, but in impact."
Key points
- Prof. Abiodun Adebayo urges schools to prioritize character, skills, and societal usefulness beyond exam grades.
- Halifield Schools has grown from a single campus to multiple locations, including Maryland and Lekki, Lagos.
- The school's focus on skills acquisition has unlocked confidence in pupils considered academically weak.
