The St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo Old Boys Association–Diaspora has rewarded outstanding students and teachers of the school with cash gifts totalling N3m.
The presentation took place on Wednesday at the school premises in Osogbo, Osun State.
Speaking at the event, President of SCOBA-Diaspora, Mudashiru Adeosun, said the gesture was designed to encourage academic excellence among students and motivate teachers to sustain the school’s legacy of performance.
He said, “The award we are giving today is about N3m. We are giving awards to different students and teachers. This money was from old students and given according to subjects. All the subjects were captured.
“We also gave achievement awards to the best performing students and teachers. It is an annual award that we normally give to encourage students and even the teachers to maintain the standard of the school.”
Adeosun said the gesture was part of the association’s effort to give back to their alma mater and support current students who may not have access to the same level of opportunities enjoyed by earlier generations.
“We want to give back, and this is just a token considering what we benefited. Many of us benefited from free education, and we didn’t even have to pay. I didn’t have to buy any textbooks or pay for anything,” he said.
“Some of the students today don’t have such opportunities; we try to cover that for them. The society has blessed us, and we have to give back to society also.”
He added that the association also supports infrastructural development in the school.
“We do a lot of things apart from the award. We also do renovations of classrooms, the environment, erosion prevention, restoration of infrastructure, computer, laboratory and information technology centre. Wherever we see a shortfall, we cover it,” he said.
Earlier, the Principal of the school, Mr Oluwatoyin Ajayi, who is also an old student, lauded the alumni for their continued support and investment in the school.
“They are giving back to St. Charles Grammar School, which made us what we are today. The old students are spending their money to equip this school and put it on a good standard,” he said.
“I am very happy this is coming during my time. So many things have come in, and this one is a great one. It is a great encouragement for the students. There is a reward for hard work, and what we witnessed today is part of the reward. I am very proud of the donors, and I want to encourage them to continue with this kind of programme.”
The principal said the intervention would further motivate students and staff to sustain academic excellence and uphold the school’s tradition of discipline and achievement.
