For the proprietress of Seed of Knowledge Schools in Okota area of Lagos State, Mrs Ifeoma Ojiako, the kick that inspired the establishment of a school was not so much profit making as the need to provide quality education and the sacred duty of molding destinies.
This, according to Mrs Ojiako, is because when we do what destiny has cut-out for us to do, there is no struggle, because the interest comes from a natural disposition to fulfill that destiny. And for this vibrant and polished school administrator, that destiny is being fulfilled in building Seed of Knowledge into a world-class academic institution, able to attract pupils and students not only from the local environment but also Europe, America and Asia.
No wonder the school has continued to win academic laurels at various inter-school competitions, including the Nigerian Television Autority’s “work-it-out” secondary schools competition,since its inception nine years ago. The school has consistently won the first position at junior secondary level of the NTA schools competition.
Mrs. Ojiako went on to explain that since her school days when she encountered an extremely inspiring teacher, Engineer Chukwuka, who has become a sort of mentor to her over the years, she has harbored a strong desire to impart knowledge to students, like her mentor.
No wonder then that the mission statement of the school reads: To impart knowledge using modern teaching techniques and motivational tools in a godly and conducive environment, to create the friendly atmosphere for children to actualize their natural potential.
Asked what the challenges of running a private school in Lagos State are? Mrs Ojiako says the major problem the school is battling with, is the issue of bad road, which has taken its toll on the school’s buses and sometimes discourages parents from enrolling their wards in the school. Nevertheless, she added, parents who value the high quality of education they are getting in the school, are not dettered by the bad road.
She also lamented about the high levies charged by the state government and the issue of unhealthy competition from sub-standard schools, who cut corners in admitting students, thereby short-changing schools like Seed of Knowledge who will not compromise on standards and due process in admitting pupils and students into their nursery, primary and secondary arms.
The school administrator therefore appealed to the government to step up efforts in regulating the private school system to check the low level education services offered by these sub-standard schools, and to consider giving incentives such as the provision of exercise books for students in private schools and reducing the high taxation imposed on the schools.
As we rounded off this interview in her very neat and colorful office, she enthused in response to a prompting for a last word, “I will like to see Seed of Knowledge Schools produce great leaders of our society in the nearest future.”