Worried by the high rate with which many teachers are being infected with asthma disease due to inhalation of particles sprinkled from chalk on black boards in classrooms, the ’81 Set of Ladigbolu Grammar School, Oyo, Oyo State, recently donated white smart boards, markers and smart dusters worth over N1m to their alma mater in order to reduce the scourge.
It has been established scientifically that calcium carbonate and Plaster of Paris (POP) chemicals are contained in the production of chalk and inhalation of its particles being sprinkled from the black board is dangerous to human health.
As part of their activities for reunion after 38 years of graduation, the Alumni led by Dr. Bisi Oke, who is also the National President of the Old Students Association of the school, conceived the idea in order to save lives and make teaching more comfortable for both the school teachers and their students.
The executive and planning committee members were supported by some other alumni including James Segun Oke, Rasaq Sina Raji, Dele Oyewole, Tunde Adeoye, Taiwo Okunade, Lateef Adeyeye, Idayat Ayanlade, Ruth Adesiyan, Luqman Alarape (Senior Prefect), Titi Adebowale (Senior Girl) and many others spread across the globe, many of who are excelling in their various professional callings. They believed that the use of smart boards with markers in the classrooms was capable of making the users much healthier, hence investment in the project.
Aside the smart boards, the National President disclosed that a member, James Oke, had in the recent past carried out some renovation on 4 blocks of classrooms; built a vocational centre with equipment, sank a solar borehole, for the school.
In their response, the Principals of the School I and II, Messrs Adebayo Alamu and Suulola O. L appreciated the old students for the laudable gesture, saying that “the era of use of black boards, chalk and duster is gone for good in this school”
Suulola specifically said .”We will tell the governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, and the Commissioner of Education that the 81 Set of this school has graduated our school from chalk and duster status to smart boards and markers regime. The government is urged to build on this to make teaching more comfortable and healthier for us”, he said.
The Alumni appreciated some teachers of the school for their outstanding performances, while also presenting prizes to winners of debate and quiz competition organised for the students. Oyeleye Oyelekan of School I emerged Best Speaker, while Priscilla Adeogun of School II came first in the quiz competition.
