Chinedum Treasure
In an era where many youths view education as Scam, Rev. Fr. Dennis Nwabueze, Principal of St. Michael’s Model Comprehensive Secondary School, Nimo, has revealed the strategies he employs to inspire his students to take their studies seriously.
Recently nominated for the AMTY School Administrator of the Year award, Fr. Nwabueze shared his approach to creating a conducive learning environment with the AMTY team. “To spark interest in education among young people, the system must be designed to attract them,” he emphasized.
Fr. Nwabueze outlined several initiatives he has implemented to motivate his students. Firstly, he focused on transforming the school’s physical environment by landscaping, cementing, and planting flowers and trees. He also ensured that classrooms are well-equipped with modern amenities, including tiles, fans, and state-of-the-art furniture.
However, Fr. Nwabueze stressed that creating a conducive physical environment is only half the battle. “Talking to the hearts of the students” is equally crucial, he noted. To achieve this, the school holds weekly “Manager’s Assemblies” where students are engaged on vital topics such as spiritual, moral, and intellectual development.
To counter the prevailing narrative that education is a Scam, Fr. Nwabueze and his team reinforce the value of education by recognizing and rewarding academic excellence. For instance, the school plants palm trees in honor of top-performing students, and the overall best student receives a 50% scholarship on their school fees.
The school also encourages participation in external competitions to broaden students’ horizons. Recently, one of their students won a prestigious essay competition, earning a cash prize of ₦200,000. The school celebrated this achievement by paying the student’s WAEC fees and third-term school fees.
Fr. Nwabueze attributed the school’s success to its holistic approach to education, which encompasses spiritual, moral, and intellectual development. “When the heart is good, the character will be good,” he remarked.
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