Mixed feelings greet Val celebration in schools

Obasuyi and Bashir-Bello

Precious Ude, a pupil of Bellina School, Akoka, Lagos, was all smiles on Thursday. In company with other pupils and members of staff the school, Ude presented gifts and other items to the management of the Red Cross Society, an international organisation in Makoko.

According to the head teacher, Mrs. Funke Olufemi-Ayoola, the gesture was to celebrate the annual Valentine’s day in a special way. Though the celebration falls on a Saturday this year, the head teacher said the school did not want to miss the opportunity to show love to others.

“We are actually going on a one-week mid-term break starting from today (Thursday). That is why we had to do the presentation to the organisation earlier today. It is our tradition to mark the Valentine’s Day and we usually donate to outfits who go to orphanages. In fact, that has been our focus in the last few years. We want to show love to children who may not have the privilege of having their own parents,’’ she said.

Justifying the move, the proprietress of the school, Mrs. Nadia Bashir- Bello, also advised parents to show love and attention to their children during the period. “Parents do care for their children, the challenge most times is that they are busy trying to make ends meet. This period is also an opportunity for parents in this category to reassure their children,’’ she said.

As the world prepares to commemorate the Valentine’s Day tomorrow, the academic community is not let out of the show. Findings by our correspondent shows that while some schools have outlined programmes to mark the day, while some others are indifferent.

Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world as a day of love and care to one another.

At the Masterpiece School in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, the mood has been upbeat for a week. The head teacher, Mr. Babatunde Atambala, said the Valentine’s Day would be celebrated today.

“Pupils are expected to come to school wearing colour red. The day is not only meant for adults. I believe it is an opportunity to teach pupils the true meaning of love. If you do not teach them the right thing about the concept, they stand the risk of being taught the wrong thing.

“What we do basically on the Valentine’s Day is ask them to bring gifts for their friends. These are inexpensive gifts and we organise a seminar around love as a theme,’’ he said.

But the Programme Director, Doregos Private Academy, Ipaja, Lagos, Mrs. Roseline Adebayo, said the school has a standing policy not to observe the Valentine’s Day. She said there are fears that some pupils may take the celebration to unreasonable lengths.

“Our pupils are well exposed and we do not want to have a negative situation on our hands in the name of celebrating Valentine. That is why we have steered clear of any celebrations,” she said.

That view was also shared by a teacher working with the Frontliners School, Agbado, Ogun State. The teacher, who does not want to be named, said it may not be realistic to safely commemorate the day in a technological age.

“These pupils know everything going on around the world. Some of them may not be new to sex. That is why we do not think it wise to celebrate Val. We all know that the concept behind the day has been abused. It may look like we are encouraging promiscuity because this is what the pupils are exposed to at home and on the streets,’’ said the teacher.

Some educationists have also taken a safe position on the issue. An education consultant, Mrs. Ify, Anatune-Nwobosi, said the idea is good if it is handled properly.

“Sharing love with one another, care and empathy or others is a good thing especially now that love has eluded the country in this political era. If Valentine can bind the children to see one another as friends and mates, it is a good thing. I will support it if it does not connote anything immoral. It can be compared to love east day in some schools, where parents bring food to share to all,’’ she said.

Commenting on the issue, the principal partner, TBOJ Consult, an education consultancy firm, Mrs. Bimbo Obasuyi, advised school managers and parents to “use the opportunity to teach the right values. The truth is that whether you celebrate it or not in your school, the pupils know that theValentine’s Day is here. I believe it is a day to impact the culture of love and neighbourliness. That should be the message,’’ she said.