L-R: Hon. Justice Raliat Adebiyi, chairman Corona Schools’ Trust Council, Mr Olatunde Fadare (valedictorian’s father), Mr Donald Duke, (former Governor of Cross River State), Oluwamurewa Fadare, (Valedictorian), Mrs Omorinola Fadare (valedictorian’s mother), Mrs Adetokunbo Matilukuro, (Director of Education (CSTC) and Mr Innocent Oaikhena, Principal, CSS, Agbara, at the valedictory ceremony of Class 2024.
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Management of Corona Secondary School (CSS) says it is committed to delivering well-rounded, world class citizens, equipped for continuous learning and leadership roles.
The Principal of CSS, Agbara, Mr Innocent Oaikhena, who stated this in an interview with the the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the school was the first in the country to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), affiliated with British Council, amongst other top ranked schools.
He added that CSS was the foremost Nursery, Primary and Secondary School in Nigeria, that established a College of Education, that runs Professional Diploma courses to equip and make the teachers better.
The principal stressed that the school had students who learned through correspondence from Germany, Canada, U.K, U.S., and different parts of the world who enrolled in their College of Education.
He further disclosed that the students created businesses for themselves, under Entrepreneurship, Engineering, Technology Wood/Construction, Fashion/Design as well as Art work.
He noted that the whole essence was to teach them how to earn a living and be useful to the society at large stressing that the students used money generated from entrepreneurship to assist the needy.
“Each set has a project. Some visit the orphanage homes, donate items to them, support the less privileged with school fees or WAEC fees.
“We teach them to have passion, show kindness and be involved in Corporate Social Responsibility, (CSR) even as students and by so doing, they will grow to know what good leadership entails and requires,” he said.
On the issue of bullying, Oaikhena said the school had zero tolerance to it, upholding good ethics and making everyone to fight bullying.
“We have built over the years, a personalised culture, clearly defined and communicated, where everyone takes ownership and promotes the culture,” he stated.
According to him, Corona Schools are governed by policies, which the management communicates to the students from inception.
“We ensure that these students understand and accept our position on bullying.
“By this, everyone knows what equity, fairness, justice and appropriate treatment are to one another and understands what their values, place and roles are in the society.
“Marrying these ethics with all the theories of learning and understanding the psychology of the children we are dealing with, makes it a whole lot easier to curb bullying.
“However, we communicate, negotiate and reprimand.
“The whole idea is to correct, not punish, with the intention to help the child become a better person.
“Therefore, we tend to focus our attention on behavioural modification, rather than behavioural management.
“Consequences range from levels; there are different sanctions inline with our policy; we have international suspension, working suspension, out of school and of course total expulsion,” he said.
Speaking on measures put in place to boost teaching/learning generally, Oaikhena said that technology was being applied to drive learning in today’s environment as a tool.
“We make the work environment friendly, pleasing and inspiring.
“Basically, we train our teachers with the best of technology and pedagogy, strategy and methodology, providing tools necessary for the development, progress, success and to attain quality learning outcomes,” he said.
NAN reports that the 31-year-old school, recently had its valedictory service for the class of 2024 graduates, with the theme: “Beyond the Horizon, Leaving a Legacy”, with members of the school’s Trust Council, parents and alumni in attendance.
The school had doubled the presentation of its awards and endowments, in recognition of notable achievements to deserving students.
The principal said that the appointment and swearing in of new school prefects for the 2024/2025 session, was also a high point of the ceremony.
“This is exemplifying the school’s diligence in raising generations of leaders with credibility and distinction.
“Our mission is to deliver world class education and produce children with high moral and ethical values, prepare them for life long learning services and fulfilment.
“All our activities and programmes are in line with these visions.
“We have a quality alumni, with the likes of a former Governor of Cross River State, who was guest speaker and special guest of honour at our recent graduation ceremony.
“During that ceremony, he charged the graduating students to be good ambassadors and role models, as they embark on their next educational and life journeys.
“The occasion also saw the likes of Justice Raliat Adebiyi, Chairman, Corona Schools’ Trust Council, Dr Morayo Afolabi-Brown, Managing Director, TVC Entertainment, and former heads of schools in attendance.
“The CSS are represented in government, politics and in all spheres of life’s endeavours including the music and entertainment industry, with stars such as Burna Boy, Banky W, Teju Baby Face, Adesuwa Etomi, and others.
“Some of our students too have top scholarship to Germany. About three of them are currently preparing to go for Summer camping exercise in Germany.
“And the idea is for them to become well-rounded children, not forgetting our roots of proudly Nigerian young men and women,” he added.