Calabar’s tough love will pay off
MUCH HAS been said in the media about Calabar High as an academic institution, as well as the school’s efforts to improve its academic standards. It is without doubt that Calabar is not at a place in the academic arena of secondary level schools that the old boys are comfortable with.
As old boys, we are frequently reminded of the primary role of the Calabar Old Boys’ Association (COBA), which is to facilitate the growth of the school and to encourage improvements in academics in general, extracurricular activities, the physical infrastructure, as well as internal policies, procedures and guidelines.
For the past five years, COBA has been front and centre in making recommendations to the school’s board, and assisting with implementing several initiatives and interventions that will see us achieving our ultimate objective of having more than 85 per cent of our students graduate at an ‘employable’ level.
These interventions are deliberate and impact directly on not only the students, but on the teachers, parents and the management team headed by the principal and the board. Efforts include a structured mentorship programme; extra classes in several subjects, offered free of charge; a research and document centre wherein students may conduct research, obtain guidance on their assignments and SBAs, and print their papers; direct interaction with teachers and students through participation in subcommittees that guide the progress of several extracurricular activities; financial support; and representation on the board to recommend measures geared at continuous improvement in the school’s governance structure.
Notably, several initiatives will be coming on stream this school year.
We must encourage and support an environment that is conducive to learning and in instilling our core values of reverence for God, school pride, accountability, integrity, discipline, respect and professionalism into our present students.
Change is not always readily accepted, change is oftentimes misunderstood, but the results of change are recognisable and are measurable.
The summer 2018 CSEC rankings publication of Educate Jamaica stated that Calabar had recently made major investments in seven key areas, which, by 2020, will see us being among the top two all-boys’ schools. Time will tell!
The outcomes of these investments will be seen in the near future, and we are certain that the Calabar family will be proud of our graduates in the years to come. COBA remains strident in its efforts in increasing the performance standards of our students and our teachers; and in ensuring that every boy that comes to Calabar strives for ‘The Utmost for the Highest’.
‘Change is not always readily accepted, change is oftentimes misunderstood, but the results of change are recognisable and are measurable.’
David Miller is president of the Calabar Old Boys’ Association. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.