G
Israel Ojekeh Parper: Founder member
First Secretary General & former
Chairman, SLGSOBA (UK)
(REPRODUCED FOR CLEAR READING)
SPEECH DELIVERED BY:
MR ISRAEL O PARPER
Secretary-General,
Sierra Leone Grammar School Old Boys Association (UK), a Guest Speaker at the Service for the Opening of the 2nd Term 1986/87 School Year -
12 January 1987 - 9:30am
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MR PRINCIPAL
MEMBERS OF STAFF
FELLOW REGENTONIANS
I would first of all thank you Mr Principal, for your eloquent introduction and for giving me this opportunity to address this assembly.
I feel immensely proud to be standing here, for little did I know when I was in this school I will be so honoured.
An opportunity such as this, to fraternise with fellow alumni of a school which we hold very dearly to heart, is one that does not call for second consideration.
As an ardent believer in the doctrines of "TOTAL INVOLVEMENT" and "ACTIVE PARTICIPATION", I had no qualms whatsoever in accepting your Principal's invitation to address this assembly, this first day of school after returning from your Christmas holidays. (I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND LOOK FORWARD TO A BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS 1987).
Old boys and present pupils, I think, must be totally involved in the uplifting, progress and welfare of the school, especially our own institution whose reputation, standard and role in educational leadership is well renowned. It is with this thought that some of us have come to form the U K Branch of the Old Boys Union enabling us to carry out our quasi-welfare activities.
But I must stress more that fraternity, among Old Boys living in the UK is also a key reason for our collective – so that we can meet from time to time, exchange ideas and socialise. This gives us the opportunity of knowing each other, whilst at the same time gives us a chance to render our assistance to the school as a group.
Let me brief you a little about our set-up in the U K. Roughly, over two years ago, four of us came together subscribing £25 (Twenty Five pounds) each as our initial contribution in launching the Old Boys Union. Today, I as Secretary – General am proud to report that we have over 160 Old Boys in our register most of whom are very devoted in promulgating the aims and desires of the branch.
Our mobilisation was extended to contacting former teachers such as Mr and Mrs Pulin, Mr and Mrs Welford, Miss Elizabeth Hirst, Miss Van-Oven, Mr and Mrs Jacobs and a few more who are not readily to mind.
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We have within this short period, held two Thanksgiving Services, and also recently a Memorial service for the late Mr S E E Taylor, the former Vice – Principal. We have held Fund-raising dances, prepared our Constitution governing our operations and will continue to expand our activities as time and money permits.
We have a very able executive team who work closely with each other in keeping with the aims and objects of the Association. Your principle here is a member of this executive in absentia.
As your Principal said, our branch have been able to provide you with a consignment of books, and science equipment, to help meet your laboratory requirements, costing over £1,000 (Sterling).
Before I left for holidays here, we have launched an appeal specially for the restoration of the roof of the school building which, as we all know, needs immediate attention. We have started to get responses from Old Boys and will continue to give our assistance to areas where our help is required for the benefit of you the pupils.
Fraternity, my friends is a word that hoovers around the 'FEELING ' principle of HUMAN NATURE. To back up this principle, one must add REASON and ACTION. The later sub–divided into what is known as INSTINCTIVE REFLEX MOVEMENT, and CONTROLLED / CONDITIONED REFLEX MOVEMENT.
The challenge which you face is to find a place in history. However, to be able to take advantage of these various parts of nature, one must make use of one's heart and must have guts – courage to act!
By using your head, you develop your sense of reason – the intelligence needed for decisions of vital interests to you to be taken. You develop internal and external feelings, some emotional, some, to persuade you to get or not to get attached to any person or thing or idea or thought and for the action part of this principle, you move whether instinctively – sudden reflex action, or through conditions reflexes; – you have been used to doing things this way. All the same, you take action before it is too late.
And so fellow Regentonians, this leads me to consider what you do within your 5 - 7 years you spend in this school - a fair bit of time!
"TIME IS A FACTOR OF DISCIPLINE IN THE MOULDING PROCESS OF YOUTHS AND STUDENTS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT" and youths have rightly been referred to as leaders of tomorrow.
To prepare for this leadership role, they have to have a full grasp of the problem of the society to which they belong and for your purpose, my friends, your school is that society in this context.
The sense and value of time must never be lost if progress is to be made. One must recognise the fact that time is the essence of growth and development – know when to do what and when to avoid what.
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As pupils attending a Christian missionary institution, perhaps my young school mates, you may understand me better if I gave by way of an example here the story of "six fat years and six lean years". This is the story of Joseph The Dreamer in captivity. At that time Pharaoh had a dream which Joseph interpreted to mean seven fat years with plenty of food in the land followed by seven lean years, when there would be famine.
Joseph's advice was that a lot of grain should be stored during the season of plenty so that these could be available for consumption during the famine period.
This was a wise and meaningful use of time. It saved the Society of famine, suffering and death.
All through history, knowledge of the right use of time has proved beneficial to the advancement of a nation. In time of war, strategies must be well planned to be able to determine when to strike, when not to strike and so on.
Even when it comes to retreat – this is to be well planned. Time involves ORDER and responsibility.
A good wall clock or wrist watch makes it possible to programme one's activity well. Sound economies involve the effective use of time resources and opportunity.
In our quest for development, there is so much to be done and very little time at our disposal – you need to make the fullest use of the time at your disposal – to learn all you need to know, which will fit you for life.
Among you sitting and listening are future Scientists, Doctors, Mathematicians, Lawyers, Bankers, Accountants, Engineers, etcetera, etcetera.
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The extent to which you could succeed will depend on the valuable use you are making of the time available to you now. Your contribution to the general development of this country will depend to a great extent on your appreciation of the three uses you are expected to make of time, namely: –
(1) There is a time to receive a time to give.
(2) Time to acquire and time to apply.
(3) Time to learn and time to put into practice what you have learnt.
What you can give in life is not necessary conditioned by what you received. You may find yourself called upon to give leadership to your local community – but not having taking the advantage of the opportunity to benefit from your experience in the more advanced areas of the society when you had the time, you find yourself incapable of providing such leadership – it is a very frustrating and disappointing experience to find oneself in such situations.
I hasten to caution you, young Regentonians, that "Opportunity once lost can never be regained".
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You must take advantage of every opportunity to benefit from your days in this school – that is to say, SQUEEZE ALL THE JUICE from the orange of time, and indeed you will find it is the only juice which will see you through life. "This institution is not a certificate machinery". I remember my Principal, Frank B Wood, MA. Oxon, once said in my days here. "You are trained for the world in this school and not merely to pass examinations". I do very vividly remember him walking around the school and will suddenly rush into a noisy class shouting " ONE BOY, ONE BOOK, ONE DESK - "SILENCE"!
When I entered this school together with your Principal some years ago, we did not know what we were going to get at the end or what we were going to be. We travelled through the classes, ended up in the science division, but today, he is the Principal with background in History and Arts area. I am now a Banker and my Treasure who also was on the Arts side, is now an Accountant. I ask you my young friends, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO BE? Do you know what you want to do? You will have to use your head, feel with your heart and have guts to take action. Adopt these principles my friends and you will be preparing yourselves for future involvement with beneficial future development of yourselves, your school and your country.
Before I leave you, I wish to offer as a PRIZE Le.50 (Fifty Leones) to the best sportsmen of the last inter-house spots, whom I am informed is of QUARTUS HOUSE. By dint of coincidence and no bias, myself and my Treasure sitting here, both hail from QUARTUS HOUSE whom we understand won 5 Trophies in the sports, even though they came third. This shows that the race is not for the swift, but it is the participation that matters.
I shall convey your fraternity, love and greetings to the other members of the executive and the UK Old Boys Union when I return and we will continue to try our level best in assisting the school for your benefit.
I thank you once again for listening to me and wish you all good luck in your endeavours.
Thank you
Israel O Parper.
FIRST SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING SLGS OBA UK 1985.
[REPRODUCED FOR EASY READING]
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SECRETARY GENERAL'S REPORT [August 1985]
SUBJECT: WHAT IS EDUCATION FOR?
By Israel O. Parper
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It has been argued that Education produces alienation rather than self-fulfilment; that the home environment has a bigger impact on the learning process in schools; that education is not useful as an investment and that it does not help social mobility. This agnosticism is to a certain degree common to all countries of the world.
As far as I can envisage, education covers five major goals: as a means of personal fulfilment; as instrument for social continuity and cohesion; a mechanism for social mobility; and economic investment for individuals and society; and as a means of promoting social equality.
The formation of the S.L.G.S. Old Boys Association (UK) is an evocative and natural instinct, promulgating the desire to provide, utilise and maximise the opportunities hitherto mention for the benefit of the current pupils, and for promoting social contact among all Old Boys in the UK. In a nutshell, this is the purpose and aim of the Association.
The determination of the pioneers of this Union has been tremendous. Though influenced at first by more senior, able-bodied Older Regentonians, their approach and strategy have been modest and sincere but enough to placate such valence with which their efforts where pooled, in order to successfully meet the launching date. Our first Thanksgiving Service in celebration of the School's 140th Years in existence in March 1985, being the climax. Such is proof of this strong base upon which this body now stands.
Within one year of the formation of the nucleus, consisting of four persons, I am pleased to report that we have now been able to contact 85 (eighty five) Old Boys whose names and addresses are now in our registers. We have also been very fortunate to have been in contact with at least twelve (12) former teachers of the school most of whom have retired. Their interest shown in the Association has been fascinating.
To keep within the spirit and purpose of social continuity and cohesion, and to cement the Association's ties with them, the Executive Committee with the blessings of all the members have appointed all such Teachers, Patrons with Chief Patronage being extended to the Reverend E.C.Clark, a former principal.
It is always been in the minds of men to construct and defend Education however liberal the policy. This together with the aim of forming the mind and body to make complete "MAN" who will be capable of fulfilling his potentialities towards society, where the principal objectives of those Christian Missionaries who founded the C.M.S Grammar School.
Thus, with the foresight and experience of our former teachers, this Association is determined to uphold the scholastic opportunities developed by our forbearers.
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Education cannot solve all societies problems, but solving Education problems may enhance the development of the recipients and in a subjective context, those of our Alma Mater. The priority usually accorded to educational budgets is no longer sustained due to the persistent economic crises faced by the schools. This severely threatens the investment potential of education.
There are two factors necessary to foster such investment potential; firstly, awareness of the existing situation; its effect on the educational system and how to change it, and secondly, the raising and maintenance of the general level of knowledge within the financial capacity of the authorities.
Governments and variousTrusts Bodies have been known to provide scholarships to reduce private costs and to enable a greater number of pupils to benefit. But, with a population of over 700 pupils (780 in the 1983/84) it is incumbent on the Old Boys wherever they are to assist both financially and materially if the quality of education provided at the school is to be maintained and where possible improve. This takes into account theStaff/Students ratios, considering that there are four streams of Forms 1-4, three of Form fives and a lower and upper sixth at present. With the current climate, there is need for diversification of curricula in favour of Industrial, Commercial, and Technological subjects as against the traditional general academic programs in the past. Subjects such as Agricultural Science, (interest in which is said to be "lukewarm"), Accountancy, Commerce, appear in the list of subjects being taught today, whilst subjects like Music has been absent from the Time Table for over three years, due to the lack of adequate Teacher; likewise Art at six form level. Intake at first-year level being 127 pupils for the last school year.
Progress in this regard is dependent upon the provision of adequate physical facilities and financial material support from all available sources, to complement the increased number of pupils and teachers; and this is where we come in.
We are at present working on two projects, the supply of school colours which have not been available for over three years, due to Foreign Exchange difficulties, and the supply of certain items of scientific equipments. Details of the latter still to be received. Positive steps are being taken to fulfil these two projects, following which other projects will be embarked upon.
We are currently in the process of staging a fund raising dance scheduled for 24th May [1986], to assist our efforts following the Annual Anniversary Service. Other fundraising activities are being planned to buttress our efforts. Details will be made available in due course. Permit me to point out that a good relationship has been developed with the Rector of St. Mary's Church, Bryanston Square, the Rev. I M Mackenzie who is also one of our Chief Patrons, and has accorded us the privilege of using St.Mary's for our Services.
Gradually, this Association is growing, and slowly getting to know each other. This process of social adaptation we hope, will systematically and in a flexible but paternalistic manner develop into a force that will contribute to the provision of the necessities to counter the constraints operating against the opportunities that should perpetuate and reinforce the educational achievements, regardless of which of the five major goals apply to the particular individual.
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In conclusion, I would, on behalf of the Executive Committee, like to express my sincere thanks to all those who have contributed to the successful beginnings of this Union, especially the High Commission for permitting us to hold our quarterly meetings even at short notice.
I must also report the very generous and practical expression of support given by the wives and families of our Executive members especially for permitting Executive meetings to be held at their various homes. This allows planning and administration of our activities to be effected with some degree of flexibility.
However, I shall end by appealing to all members and Patrons to make it the point of duty to attend meetings, which are held on the last Sundays in February, May, August and November, with the Annual General Meeting in August. There is much room for debate and surely the association and again from fresh ideas. Everyone must participate actively if we are to fulfil our desired role of supporting the school in Freetown in particular. I also call upon all former Teachers to take a more active part in the operations of this Union. Their help and advice will always be appreciated, especially where the necessities of the school are well known to them: We look forward to them in marshalling material support for their various fields to which they were once attached at the SLGS.
Is it not a paradox, that, in a period when the role of a school in learning has been under challenge, educational radicals have broadened their ego, not simply for equality of access and treatment, but for positive action in favour of those with the greatest difficulties to sustain the learning process? The extent of such determination varies with the degree of radicalism which may simply be to achieve a reduction of the imbalances in the average learning performances of the pupils due to the constraints encountered in the particular locality. Pity is all very well, but, it does not help. Let us, with one accord, defend education at the SLGS, regardless of which of the five goals is preferred.
I shall return to this theme in the next issue.
(Israel O Parper August 1985)
Former Teachers 1960s: Princial Frank B Wood (MA Oxon) in front row centre.:
Principal Akiwande Lasite speaking
at Dinner Dance in London.
