We are in danger… PTA Chair to UBEB

 By Igbineweka Andrew

Mr. Mohammed Lawal, the PTA chairman of the Junior Secondary School Dutse Alhaji has expressed displeasure at the deaf ears given to their cry to UBEB for the school's fencing.  Recalling an incident where a car came off the road and tumbling “into the school while students were in school, he stressed that the school is in danger. 

“We have written several letters to the Board, the PTA chairmen before me, also wrote. There is a step the Central PTA Chairman, that is the Hakimi of Dutse and we the PTA of the school want to take only if Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) would approve. Let us see that we start doing something, because we are in danger.”

The PTA chairman made this revelation at the event of the graduation ceremony of its JSS 3 Students in June. The event according to the participants and invited guest was the most organized graduating ceremony held in the school since inception. The ceremony is considered the best because the graduated students for the first time wore their graduation gown and there was no reported case of violence as was the case in previous events of this magnitude.  

Speaking on the graduation gown Mr. Mohammed Lawal credited the provision to the Buhari's led government. “That's because change has come to the country. You can see it from the federal level. So we decided on producing graduation gowns for the students. As from now on all graduating students would be on graduation gown.” he noted

Alhaji Abubakar Barko, the Hakimi of Dutse, who is also the Central PTA chairman of Bwari Area Council as well as the Father of the school while speaking on the challenges his office brings to the fore, also spoke on the need for the fencing. “As a Father of this school, my first challenge, is the students. I don't know their problem. Once there is an occasion like this, instead of them to go to their various houses, to their parents who would be waiting for them after the occasion, some of them will remain behind to fight.” he said “Most of the challenges are such that we can handle, but the most disturbing is the security challenge, that is, the fencing of the school.  This is to be approved by higher authority of the Education Board. If we can have fence in this school, then the rest of the challenge can be managed.” He added. 

The Hakimi of Dutse, as well as the PTA chairman, Mr. Lawal advised the graduated students to be of good behavior as they go out to face a much more challenging phase. 

The Hakimi appreciated the 2014/2015 set graduates for their good conducts, unlike the previous sets who were known for causing problems during graduation ceremonies. In an interview with Crystal Education, Alhaji Abubakar Barko, the Hakimi of Dutse noted that they are the first to have worn gowns in the school's history of graduation ceremonies. 

The PTA chairman admonished the student not to lose sight of the fact that their graduation marked their first step towards achieving greatness. “They should engage themselves in meaningful things while they prepare for the next task ahead.” He advised.

Some of the students showered gratitude on the school management on how they have helped them in achieving this phase of their promising life.

Denis Okereke who was awarded for emerging overall best and the best in Basic Technology and Best in Business Study told Crystal News that he had to study very hard to ensure that he attained the best result. 

“I had to read a lot. Most times my father told me that reading makes a man. With those words I strive hard to be the best student. In my first term in JSS3 I set a goal that I will be the overall best student and I worked hard and made sure I read hard for every test and exams.” He said while thanking the management and everyone who in one way or the other, contributed to their success.

The graduating Head boy, Umar Yusuf, who also received amongst other awards, the best in Mathematics, advised students to always try hard to be the best. He revealed that he had once struggled with understanding mathematics when he was in JSS 1 and 2 but reversed the case in JSS3.