St. Saviour’s Schools, Ebute-Meta, the first primary school to teach information and communication technology (ICT) as a core-subject, has promised more programmes to achieve its vision anchored on excellent child development.

The School made the pledge at the 22nd Annual Interhouse Athletics Competition (AIAC) held at the playground at the weekend where Red House (RH) emerged overall best with 29 medals- 14 Gold, eight Silver and seven bronze followed by Blue House (BH)- 10 gold, nine silver and five bronze medals; Green House (GH) was third with five gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze medals and fourth place, Yellow House (YH) with five gold, seven silver and 12 bronze medals.

Mr. Louis Nnamdi Mbanefo, chairman, Board of Trustees, of the School expressed delight with the organization of the inter-house competitions, especially, the pupils’ efforts in field and tracks events.

The Chairman represented by Mrs. Helen Perry, secretary, Board of Trustees, said in an interview with the press, “I am very proud of the pupils. Each time I am here I feel delighted that the school is doing very well. We are very lucky with the caliber of staff, head teacher and members of the board of management who pilot the daily activities of the school”.

The Chairman said St. Saviour’s Schools will remain one of the best in the country, assuring that the standards set over 65 years ago cannot be compromised rather reviewed in line with the pupils’ needs to be relevant in the contemporary society.

“Our pledge is to remain the best. Also, any school around us that we can possibly help either with staff training, or donations, we will do it. Presently, St. Saviour’s School Ebute-Meta is reaching out to less-privileged schools by giving things out to them”, he said.

On her part, Dame Nneka Mba, chairman, Board of Management of the School said they have continually met the standards and expectations of the Government, parents and contemporary society, equipping the pupils to face the future, basically “Because of the quality of teachers we have. They have displayed a lot of hardwork and teamwork. We know there is need to allow these children to exercise. Whenever we have this opportunity we put in the best.

She described the inter-house competition as an annual tradition and indeed important to the development of the pupils. “This is annual tradition of the school; very fundamental and indeed, we think it is very important to the development of the children. So, it has to do with the importance we place on exercise and things of this nature, warranting we put it in our plans for the children. We structure it in a long term; right now we are beginning to make arrangements for next year. We do make requests for support from companies and hope we have more supports to make it easier for us to prepare things of this nature”, Dame Mba said.

She added that through the annual events, they were able to develop students who excelled in academics and sports, even after graduating from the School. “One thing we want to be identified for is: our children, whenever they pass through this School, get access to the best schools in the entire world. They are various schools in Nigeria and abroad that our children get into and have full scholarship, which is a testament the children have worked very hard and indeed excelled.

She urged other School to borrow a leaf from St. Saviour’s by organizing similar sports competitions for their pupils

“It is good without saying that children require to receive exercise and air as they grow and develop. It is even important for the health of the child. Therefore, I would expect that school owners who want the best for their pupils would have it in mind, without Government’s pronouncements, that is, to organize inter-house sports competitions for the pupils. If it takes the government to make us realize our responsibilities, well, let it be so. But the children need it.

Mrs. Ailsa Griffiths, head teacher, of St. Saviour’s Schools, Ebute-Mets, said the School is distinguished by maintaining its stand through continued professional development of the teachers, keeping up to the latest development in teaching, giving them exposures abroad, and working with good and understanding management.

“These certainly kept us at the top in terms of primary schools education in Nigeria,” she said, “and we have the commitment of very a proactive Board of Management (BoM), who are interested to see the school is run effectively and a Board of Trustees (BoTs) who are committed to the School’s growth. We have the crop of staff that understand the values St. Saviour’s represent and it is important they teach the children, offering them opportunities to excel even in sports.

“Earlier this year, we had our first interschool gala night with swimming activities. Now, we are finishing the terms off with an inter-house competition. Indeed, it is a great day enjoyed by the children and the parents alike”.

The School, among others record breaking programmes in Nigeria and indeed Africa, in June 2014 introduce e-learning technology in the primary school sector known as LearnPad System.

The LearnPad is an exciting tablet computer built and designed by Avantis, specifically for use in schools and the classroom.