BECE: Lagos tasks Vetland School to sustain excellent performance record 

The Lagos State Government has urged students of Vetland Junior Grammar School (VJGS) to sustain the school’s excellent performance record in the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, Dr. Olufunke Oyetola, made the call at the Pep-Talk for the JSS3 students.

Addressing the students at the exercise organised by the Parents Forum of the school, the TG/PS, who was represented by the District’s Director of Schools and Administration, Maria Ojo, charged the outgoing students to aim higher for best BECE results.

While commending the Parents Forum for the unique initiative, Ojo charged the students on the need to be resolute and deliberate in their preparation for the junior terminal examination.

She reiterated that with respect to the previous score analysis, VJGS has an excellent performance record, therefore, the present set must sustain the enviable legacy. 

Prior to the presentation of the facilitators, who discussed the theme of the Pep-Talk: “Know Your Strength,” the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Taofik Salako, noted that the exercise has the potential to bridge the gap, regarding the standard in public and private secondary schools.

Salako, who is the Group Deputy Business Editor of The Nation Newspaper, pointed out that the key point to note by the students is their mindset: For them to know and understand themselves – interest and strength.

The financial journalist asked the students to appreciate that there is no difference between them and students in private schools, stressing that with focus, they can excel in any department they choose to go to.

He said: “Strive to give your best in whichever department you belong to. 

“Under the tough economy, the professionals who are focused, creative and resolute will survive.”

One of the facilitators who addressed the theme from the commercial perspective as well as spoke on the best way to prepare for examination, Dominion Esechie, coined three reading principles, titled: “Myself Motivator.”

This, according to him, includes the first assertion: “I prepare at the level of my expectation.”

“Second: I practise at the level of my preparation.

“And third: “I perform at the level of my practice.”

Esechie, who is the Chief Learning Officer, Innovative Network of Etiquette Teachers, in line with the principles urged the students to raise their expectation, which he affirmed would subsequently lead to effective preparation and best outcome, adding: “Lack of discipline leads to missing target.”

The motivational speaker posited that for students to unveil their strength, they must objectively answer some questions, including: “What do I enjoy doing?

“What do I enjoy talking about?

“What do I enjoy thinking about?

“And what do I enjoy listening to or watching?”

Esechie identified four classes of personalities: “Type A – Action-oriented people; Type B – People endowed with talking; Type C – People who love thinking; and Type D – personalities who are cut out for nursery and primary school teaching.

The Etiquettes teacher affirmed that commercial professionals give value to inventions by the scientists and creations by arts practitioners.

He said the commercial experts have strength in good communication skills, possess financial intelligence, and display practical life skills.

He added that they have potential to become bankers, entrepreneurs, financial analysts, accountants, and stockbrokers among others.

VJGS Principal and facilitator on Arts, A. M. Latunde-Dada, disclosed that factors to consider when choosing a career include: interest and passion, talents and abilities, academic strength, values and goals, as well as available opportunities.

The school’s head established that the expected strength for aspiring arts professionals include: Good communication skills, leadership ability, self confidence, creativity, possession in power of imagination, and being talented in reading and writing, among others.