Dr Oluwagbenga and Master Precious Erioluwa Odunfa, Arish Schools Abeokuta
A powerful saying by Nelson Mandela goes, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world”
The word school comes from the ancient Greek word (scholē) and the Latin scholar, whose original meaning alluded to tranquility and free time. Later, it would acquire its sense of place of study, when initiating the philosophical schools during the Hellenistic period. Currently the term refers to the different centers of academic, physical and moral education to which the citizens of a nation dedicate their first years of life.
The inclusive good and safe school implies that all children or as a community learn together in an environment free of danger, regardless of their personal, socio-economic and cultural characteristics. This is the basis for raising healthy, tolerant, respectful and emphatic children.
The following are characteristics of a good and safe school
Skilled and supportive teachers and administrators
A good school must bet on a quality academic education, for which it requires a teaching staff committed to their work, with their own growth and the updating of the knowledge they handle.
Teachers are students’ role models. They have a strong influence in shaping a student’s attitude and personality, so it is necessary that they possess admirable qualities which cultivate the students’ talents and abilities. Good teachers are approachable and willing to mentor their students in achieving academic excellence and attaining their personal goals. Likewise, school administrators must be professional and supportive to the needs of the academic staff.
Technological education
Although certain contemporary technologies can interfere in a disruptive way in the classroom environment (mobile phones for example), the ideal school cannot keep its back to the growing technological career started in the beginning of the 21st century.
New technologies and the internet must be present in the school. Children should be trained using I.C.T. They should be engaged in electronic classes and trained on how to use the E-library.
They should be taught how to operate and use computers. It is the best possible opportunity to learn to deal with them in a positive way and to use as a coadjutor in the work of academic growth
An outstanding school provides state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to help improve student learning.
Giving students access to powerful educational tools and facilities, such as computers, laboratories and libraries deepens their knowledge and further improves their logical and cognitive skills. Additionally, the school offers students (including those who love the performing arts) with opportunities to enrich their educational experience and nurture their talents such as going on school performance tours.
Conducive learning environment
A good school satisfies the requirements in terms of health, infrastructure, human resources and operational climate that guarantee the happy permanence of the students in their facilities and that the learning process is carried out without deficiencies and with the least possible setbacks. It is impossible to learn happily in a ruined school, without enough teachers or in overcrowded condition. A good class size of up to 15 students (physical distancing of at least 1.5m to 2m observed) can go a long way to improve students learning capacity.
A good school needs a clean and well-organized environment that encourages students to develop their skills and increase their knowledge. A clean and comfortable school setting helps enhance the teaching, learning experience and good health for the students.
A safe learning environment for students
Good schools have environments that are safe for students physically and emotionally. It is a supportive community where the teachers and students collaborate and focus on achieving better learning. Hence, it is free of negative behaviors, like bullying and harassment. Instead of using punishment to discipline the students, the school might focus on preventing student misbehaviors by implementing disciplinary actions that are safe for the student and helpful to the community, such as letting the students do social work or detention.
Maintains safe and healthy kids
Emphasis should be placed on the role of health in the day-to-day activities of children. It is a sine qua non path to raising academically sound students. Unhealthy children don’t learn well. A popular saying goes, “Health is wealth.” A good school ensures that it is imperative for children when entering the school to wash their hands before entering their classrooms, after using the privy and after breaks or sports. Alongside washing of hands, it will take measures in the periodic checking of the weight and temperature of children to observe health changes. Others include clean classes and rest rooms.
The collaboration between family and institution
One of the most critical points of contemporary schooling is usually the role of parents in the training of students. A good school has to foster dialogue and cooperation between the family and the academic environment since these are the two areas of greatest learning in early life and will necessarily be reflected in each other.
Orientation programs on health and hygiene
Programs to enlighten students on the importance of regular hand washing, proper cough hygiene, and tips to avoid face touching before commencement of school activities will be prioritized
Observing social distancing of at least 2 meters from the next person is essential for a good school during this period. It will, however, take other precautions like having medical test kits, taking appropriate face covering measures, having well ventilated classrooms and carrying out periodic fumigation of its premises to ensure the safety of her students.
Social and sports training
A good school should have the necessary spaces outside the classroom for exercise and sports, essential during the early stages of the individual’s life, as well as areas that freely encourage social exchange, the pursuit of artistic interests (musical, literary, etc.) and merely recreational interests.
The administration of the discipline
Few things are so important in a good school as the fair and equitable management of the discipline, so as not to foment impunity and resentment among the students. Limits and clear rules, as well as fair and exemplary sanctions, always according to the fault committed, are indispensable for this.
Bottom Line
Giving your children access to quality education helps them prepare for their future. Finding a good school which offers the aforementioned key qualities is essential as it allows students to enhance their skills and expertise, which are all vital to their success.
