Engr. Funsho Ojo is the Chairman of Tesjok Group of Schools, one of the best schools in Abaranje, Ikotun area. Though the school started only 6 years ago, but it has recorded outstanding performances which have catapulted schools to a higher level.
Recently, City People’s Assistant Editor SUNDAY ADIGUN was at the school’s 6th end of session valedictory service/prize giving ceremony held on 12th July 2018, and he spoke with the Chairman on what makes the school unique among it’s contemporaries. Excerpts.
Tesjok Group of School is 6 years old, how did the journey start?
Tesjok Group of Schools came to life on Sept 16th, 2012. We started with all the classes from inception beginning with KG, Nursery, Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary at a go, and a year after, we got approval from WAEC for our pupils to sit for School Cert exams and since then we’ve been moving on.
Starting up all the classes at a go must have required extraordinary commitment and risk. What were the challenges you faced in the beginning?
Of course, we all know that to start a business requires money. It was really tough but we were so determined. We started the school during the summer in 2012 and because of that, we started on a free 8-week summer coaching. To finance it became a problem, but we put that aside and pursued the vision. We had a free lesson for 8weeks to start off and I was using my personal money to pay salary for the teachers. Finance was the problem, but with my passion we were able to scale through.
What stands your school out among the contemporaries?
At Tesjok School, we practise individualistic learning. We discover each child’s trait and level of each pupils then we build on their strength and work on their weakness, that makes us very Unique. Another thing, in each class we have CCTV, camera to monitor them. Even when I’m not in the country, I can see what is going on in each class and correct it.
That makes us unique. In my office, I have about 25 channels, anyone I want to see what is going on in their class I quickly switch to it. So, all the teachers know that wherever the Chairman is, he knows and can see what is going on at any particular time. Another thing that makes us Unique is the scholarship that we give out every session. We’ve been giving scholarships to one student in primary and one in secondary schools for one full year since the beginning of this school. I always give Chairman’s award in cash to assist the parents too, while my wife sources for assistance from NGOs corporate bodies, companies e.t.c for the scholarship.
Ever since you started, what has been your major performance recorded?
Our results have always been outstanding, our WAEC examination result is 100% and that alone has kept us going even when money is not coming in as expected because of the economy. We hardly go to any competition and we don’t win. I remember when we went for Indomie competition, the prize was won by our primary 1 pupils. Most of our Alumni are abroad, we have lots of them in Covenant University, we have lots of them in Unilag and so on. One of our ex-pupils in Unilag was given scholarship to go and study in UK recently. So, the result has been pushing us to do more. Some of our children exhibited raw talents in singing, playing drums e.t.c.
How were you able to discover that early in them?
Our teachers have been trained to deal with the pupils on one-on-one basis. By the time you have one-on-one interaction with children with the help of training you will discover their talents.
What message do you have for the parents out there?
I want to thank our parents for their support and I want them to go all out and bring more parents. Let other people enjoy what they are enjoying. Let Tesjok School be a light and shine unto others.
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