IDU National News

Meeting with Representatives of Target Schools

Friday November 26h, 2011
IDU (USA) Computer Learning Center
IDU (USA) Supplementary Math and English Tutoring Program

I met with representatives of Senior (SSS) and Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) whose locations are at proximal distance to the Ibadan House, which will house the IDU-USA Computer Learning Center.  In attendance are:
1.    Alhaji M.O. Raji        Ikolaba Grammar School, Agodi
2.    Mr. T.A Bamigboje   Anglican Commercial Grammar School, Orita Mefa
3.    Mrs. N. Iweala        Oba Akinbiyi High School II, Oremeji
4.    Mr. O.I. Olatunji      Oba Akinbiyi High School I, Mokola Hill
5.    Absent            Ikolaba High School, Agodi GRA (Mr. Adeyemi, Principal)
6.    Nurudeen Akinade Asiwaju    CCII Representative
In my opening statement, I introduced myself and presented a brief description of the project. I added that this project is going to be fully funded by grants from corporations worldwide and donations from IDU-USA members, and that the successful implementation of the project is highly dependent upon their full participation.  I expressed the generosity of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes for allocating a space for us at the Ibadan House, and their sincere interests in improving the lives of the children in Ibadan. 
Alhaji Raji, the Asst. Principal of Ikolaba Grammar School expressed his gratitude for what IDU is planning to do, and pledged full cooperation.  He said that his school has 10 computers on its campus, but will still like to participate in this project.  He however, asked if part of their project could be located on their campus to reduce the need to transport the children to the Ibadan House.  Same question was posed by Mr. Bamigboje of Anglican Commercial School, whose campus has a 14-computer lab.  I told them that I would get back with them after discussing the strategy of using their on-site computer labs with the IDU Project Committee. 
Mrs. Iweala of Oba Akinbiyi High School II, expressed concern over the fact that we have primarily targeted SSS’s for this project, adding that her school is a Junior Secondary School, and so is Ikolaba High School at Agodi.  I told her that the Project Committee will look into that, and we should be able to extend our pilot program to JSS students as well.  She also requested that we consider providing the students with books for the subjects being taught to be used as a reference.  While this was not taken in consideration during the project planning, I believe it is a valid request and it should be included in the grant request.  Mrs Iweala finally urged the organization to consider extending our services to elementary schools, adding that their jobs at the JSS is tedious because the primary school kids were not prepared for their secondary education, thus giving them (the secondary school teachers) additional responsibilities of teaching the basics before proceeding to secondary education courses.  She also added that we should consider an In-Service Training for teachers, as many teachers still use old techniques of teaching and are very much behind in technology education.
In closing, I thank them for meeting with me, and I promised to keep in touch during the project planning and implementation.  I told them that the project is planned to take off in Fall of 2012.

Mr.Fatai Oyejobi, Houston,TX.