ABC Secretariat takes its campaign to secondary schools
As part of the Attitudinal and Behavioural Change Secretariat’s work plan of action the Secretariat has on Friday 23rd September, 2011 paid a visit to the Prince of Wales secondary school in Freetown to educate and sensitize school pupils on the need for Attitudinal and Behavioural Change. (Photo: nanette Thomas, ABC Secretariat National Coordinator stressing the importance of positive attitude)
The Executive Director, Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas told the pupils that the business of the Secretariat is to talk to people about the good impact of positive attitude and how negative attitude hampers development.
Executive Director addressing the students
Dr. Thomas informed pupils about their heritage referring Sierra Leone as the ‘Athens of West Africa’ and hoping that they will live up to it. He called on pupils to demonstrate the right attitude towards their education by studying hard, be disciplined, and law abiding in order for them to acquire the right education they deserve.
Principal Jones, National Coordinator Nanette Thomas, and Executive Director Dr. Ivan Agibola Thomas
He urged the pupils to be loyal to Sierra Leone as a sign of positive attitude adding that one of them will end up becoming President, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Commissioners and the like. Dr. Thomas warned them not to emulate bad public officials who are always charged with corruption.
The Executive Director informed the school about ABC’s plan to establish ABC clubs in the school. He therefore called on the school authorities to establish the Guidance Counselling Department which he said will work closely with the ABC Club to achieve a positive change. He said the club will be engaging on activities such as writing attitude and behavioural change poems, organise quiz competitions, and seminars.
The National Coordinator and Second in Command of the Secretariat Madam Nanette Thomas told the pupils that attitude is everything and positive attitude drives someone to success. She therefore urged the pupils to be very positive in their attitude. Madam Thomas in addressing the pupils asked them if they can change their negative attitude, they promised with Barrack Obama slogan “Yes we can”. She told the pupils that they are ambassadors of their school; they can sell it positively or negatively by what they are doing, adding that the first three letters of the alphabet – ABC are very important to them and to the nation. She emphasised the need for them to learn the ABC very well, which is Attitude, Behaviour and Change.
The National Coordinator also appealed to the teachers to help students maintain a positive attitude. She encouraged the teachers to be on their doorsteps every day. They should not complain to the students about how many of them are crammed into the classroom, but they should always welcome them, even if ten of the students have to sit on the floor.
She stressed that it should never be said by a teacher it is none of my business whether a student learn or not. She called on the teachers to be the best friend of the children and put themselves in a position where the children can have absolute confidence in them.
Principal Aubrey Jones appealing to the students
Principal Aubrey Jones, in his remarks told the pupils that their excellence in education will make a new Sierra Leone. It is the duty of the parents, teachers and the Government to make this come true he added.
He said the pupils can make a difference in the society, urging them to be positive in whatever they are doing. Mr. Jones maintained that POW will be the first school in the country to establish an ABC club to make the fight for positive attitude comes true.
The Pupils promised to work closely with the ABC Secretariat by establishing an ABC Club and participating on ABC programs.
Charles Brima a JSS III student commented that an increase and prompt payment of teacher’s salaries will help in changing the negative attitude of teachers.
By John Sorsor Samura
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