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| Photo shows l-r: Head of School, M.D School, Mrs. Olusola Akhaiso; Director, Oluwaseun Amusa; Chairman, 40th Anniversary Planning Committee & Member, Governing Council, Barr. Chris Dike; Executive Director, M.D School, Mrs. Omolara Adedugbe; Chairman, 40th Anniversary Media Committee & Governing Council Member, Mr Steve Akadiri; Dr Ngozi Okwok, Member, Governing Council, Barr. Kunle Olaleye, also a Member Governing Council; during a press conference to mark the 40th Anniversary of the school in Lagos...Tuesday last week |
The importance of quality early childhood education as the foundation of Nigeria’s education system has again taken centre stage, as MD School, Oko-Oba, Lagos, prepares to celebrate four decades of service to learners and the community.
At a press briefing to announce the school’s 40th-anniversary celebrations, Mrs. Omolara Adedugbe, the school’s Executive Director, stressed that the strength of any nation’s education sector begins with what children learn in their earliest years. She described foundational learning as the bedrock upon which academic success, character formation, and national development are built.
According to Adedugbe, when children receive a solid start in literacy, numeracy, values, and social skills, they are better prepared to thrive at higher levels of education and contribute meaningfully to society. She argued that improving the quality of early learning must therefore remain a national priority.
MD School, described as the first private co-educational inclusive school in Lagos State, has spent 40 years championing accessible and inclusive education. The anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the institution’s journey, honour its founders, staff, parents, and alumni, and renew its commitment to nurturing well-rounded children.
The celebration also highlights the school’s broader contribution beyond the classroom, including community outreach and its long-standing efforts to promote acceptance and inclusion for children with and without disabilities.
Mrs. Adedugbe maintains that early childhood learning lays the foundation for a child's education. The quality of that early experience, invariably shapes their future success.
This is why, she urged the government to pay closer attention to foundational education, noting that private schools have historically spearheaded this segment. Mrs. Adedugbe therefore further maintained that "they deserve government's encouragement and support."
She called for the removal of many constraints facing private school operators across the country, so that they can continue to provide quality education that the country deserves.
She singled out the imposition of multiple taxes and levies by governments at every level, from the local, state, up to the federal government level, as one of the critical constraints hampering operations of private schools.
“There are too many taxes, and this is making it difficult for private schools to operate.”
Government, she argued, should realise that "education is a different kind of business that is not all about making profit."
She thus urged that government "must understand the critical role of Private schools in the interest of achieving quality in the standard of education in the country."
Speaking on the 40 years anniversary proper, Mr. Steve Akadiri, a member of the governing council and chairman of the media committee on the anniversary said that occasions like this provide an opportunity for reflection and to say thank you to those who have walked this remarkable journey with us in the past 40 years.
“It allows us to look back with gratitude at our humble beginnings, appreciate the sacrifices of our founders and acknowledge the dedication and commitment of those who have contributed to the growth of the institution.”
Also speaking, the chairman of the Planning Committee, Barrister Chris Dike said the anniversary actually commenced in September with special thanksgiving by the pupils with active participation by parents online.
“We have also provided medical and food outreach to our immediate communities, the climax is the award programme which will involve many of our past students, parents and other stakeholders at the end of the month.”
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