LRF Ondo Outreach Visits Another Set of Schools in the State

Following its inaugural visit, the LRF Ondo Outreach has continued by visiting additional schools within the state.

FIRST VISIT

School Name:  LA Primary School, Owode, Akure North LGA

Contact Persons: Assistant Head mistress, Mrs. Ajayi O., Mrs. Dahunsi E. A.

Date of Visit: Monday, 4 November 2024

Attendance: Approximately 100 pupils and 12 teachers were present.

Representing the Literary Renaissance Foundation were:

1. Mr. Lebile Olusola
2. Mr. Aladegbeye Gabriel

 

Session Summary

The SUBEB officer, Mrs. Okpe Funmilayo S., introduced the LRF team to the assembly and invited Mr. Sola Lebile to lead the session. Mr. Lebile introduced LRF’s mission, focusing on the organisation’s commitment to promoting a reading culture, particularly among students, to counter the current challenges surrounding literacy in Nigeria. To engage the pupils, he invited any who had recently read a novel to share a story about it. Two pupils volunteered and were awarded two hundred naira each for their efforts.

Next, a pupil read a passage from the novel Things Fall Apart, and Mr. Lebile conducted a brief Q&A session, rewarding two pupils who answered questions correctly with two hundred naira each.

The LRF team concluded by thanking the school management, and in turn, the school expressed its gratitude for the visit, noting that the program was both engaging and impactful. The visit ended at 10:45 a.m.

SECOND VISIT

Name of School: St. Stephens Primary School, Obaile, Akure.

Head Mistress: Mrs. Manuwa

At the school, the LRF team conducted a similar programme as the previous one, inviting a pupil to read the opening lines of Things Fall Apart. Pupils who answered questions correctly received prizes. This session had approximately 120 pupils and 13 teachers in attendance

 

CHALLENGES FACED

1. Limited Volunteers: A last-minute volunteer had to be recruited from the office due to a shortage, limiting the team’s resources.
2. Condition of Donated Books: Teachers at St. Stephens Primary School noted that some of the donated books were used, which impacted their appeal to students.

 

PROSPECTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1. School Support and Enthusiasm: The initiative was warmly received by both schools. A teacher at LA Primary School, Owode, publicly made a commitment to improve her reading habits, inspired by the program.
2. Student Engagement: The pupils showed great enthusiasm for reading and were motivated to continue after the session.
3. Partnership Potential: The LRF team sees this as an excellent opportunity for a sustained partnership, supporting schools in fostering a reading culture. Teachers were encouraged to consider forming book clubs for students to further inspire reading and learning.

Report Compiled By:

Lebile Olusola

Volunteer, Literary Renaissance Foundation