INTRODUCTION: The Statesman Schools Abakaliki heartily welcome you to school after the six and half months’ “long break” imposed by the Federal and State Governments to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. We thank God that we are surviving the pandemic and have not witnessed thousands of deaths as are obtainable in the western countries. This newsletter intends to get you well informed on our academic programmes and schedules, for the pandemic has thrown up confusion with regard to how schools are going to carry on their academic activities after the State government has approved the reopening of schools.
OUR PROGRAMMES AND SCHEDULES: The State government had shut down schools on the 20th of March 2020 to forestall the spread of COVID-19 infection. At that time of shutting down, we were writing our 2nd term examination and needed only 2 days to conclude the examination. For record purposes and future concerns, the school management has decided that we are going to undertake a revision exercise on the 5th and 6th October and complete the 2nd term examination on the 7th and 8th of October 2020. Thereafter, the 3rd term with the promotion examination shall commence on the 9th of October till the 30th of October 2020. The first term of 2020/2021 Academic Session shall start on 2nd November till the 18th of December, 2020 when we shall go for Christmas break. The remaining part of the first term will continue from 4th January, 2021 and end with the Examination on 5th February, 2021. The 2nd term of 2020/2021 Academic session shall start on 22nd February, 2021. These academic programmes and schedules are in accordance with the mandate of Ebonyi State Ministry of Education. We will always follow their directives and adapt to further changes if they do so. We shall observe all COVID-19 protocols, provide face mask for our pupils and students. However, Parents must provide hand sanitizers for their children, and can also provide face shield if they wish. The pandemic is still with us and we shall do everything within our powers to ensure that none of our pupils, students, staff and parents (indirectly) get infected.
THE PANDEMIC AND OUR RESOLUTIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic really exposed the lapses and weakness in our Health and Educational Institutions. The pandemic caught us unprepared and confused. We never knew that a season will come, when humans, in order to survive must stay apart from one another and only engage in virtual interactions through the lifeless communication networks and technologies. For us as teachers, it was a painful experience for we could not relate with our pupils and students. We hereby render our sincere apology to you our parents for our inability to have conducted Online lessons for our pupils and students. In this vein, the management of Statesman School has sworn to establish a robust communication and technology networks that will enable us conduct online learning programmes should another pandemic hit the world again. Henceforth, we will occasionally conduct Online lessons for our pupils and students within the term. To ensure the workability of this Online lesson, it is now mandatory that our students and pupils must have a computer set and system. The use of Online learning is now en vogue in the world, and we must join the trend; we cannot afford to let our children lag behind, for that will be an example of child-abuse in the 21st century. The educational development of our children is of paramount importance, hence all responsible parents must channel their resources towards achieving quality education for their children. The Statesman School has the human and material resources to take on this herculean but adorable task for the good of your children. You can testify that we are one of the best in the State.
OUR INNOVATIONS AND FEES: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of communication technologies. Every good school must work harder to equip their pupils and students with the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude in order to fit in properly in the world of the 21st century. The Statesman School as a matter of necessity has to step up her academic operations especially through the use of technologies. We have to increase the emolument of the entire staff to ensure greater productivity in their service delivery and thereby transform the school to a world class standard. Based on all these challenges, you can see that our former fees cannot address the financial requirements of these aspirations and projects. The fact is that we cannot run the school effectively with the former school fees. We are therefore constrained to inform you that our total fee is #25,500 for Nursery and Primary Sections and #28,500 for Secondary Section. These fees cover payments from 5th October, 2020 till 5th February, 2021. The threat of COVID-19 infection, has forced us to have only one class of 24 pupils in Primary School classes and 30 students in the Secondary School classes, and we don’t have the facilities to admit more than these number of learners. Parents are to pay these fees on or before the 9th of October 2020. Parents who can’t pay the full fees must make a financial commitment of at least #10,000 on the 9th of October before the child can be admitted into the school. Parents shall also pay an extra examination fee of #5,000 in January 2021 to cover the expenses and logistics of writing two examinations; one at the 3rd term of October 2020 and the other at 1st term of January 2021.
In order to give our school a better facelift, the secondary school students have moved into their new building, we have further cleaned up the school environment, introduced visual and audio systems for greater efficacy in teaching and learning. We have introduced Latin language in the Junior Secondary Section to encourage greater knowledge of English language and for a better understanding in the faculty of Sciences. We are also the first school in Ebonyi State to introduce Philosophy in the Senior Secondary Section to help our students think rightly and resourcefully. The knowledge of music will also be improved in the school. Generally, we have upgraded our teaching and learning processes through the instrumentalities of practicals and technologies. In fact, we have made teaching and learning in the Statesman Schools a unique and an interesting life experience.
GRATITUDE AND CONCLUSION: May I conclude this Newsletter by thanking you our dear parents for your patronage and for trusting us with the academic, social and moral development of your children. We promise to devote ourselves to form these precious minds of your children towards a happy and successful future. Times are really hard for all, but be that as it may, the welfare and educational advancement of our children is of great importance. We promise that we will never fail you or betray your trust, for we really care and love your children. Kindly remember us in your prayers for without God, we can do nothing. We shall survive the COVID-19 Pandemic and fulfill our destinies! Welcome to Statesman Schools!!
