NAPPS inaugurates first school radio, frowns at fake news

Etim Effiong

The President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Mr Amusa Olawale, has expressed displeasure over the dissemination of fake news among some media organisations in Nigeria.

Olawale, proprietor of HOMAT group of schools said this during the inauguration of the NAPPS’ school radio station in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

He said: “Fake news is a harmful tool that can destroy coexistence, peace, and stability of our society.

“So, In NAPPS, we are professional association, and we cannot rely on fake news.

“We are teachers, definitely we must ensure that we get to the root of any information before presenting it to the whole world.

“We know the implications of fake news, so as a moulder of tomorrow’s leaders we need to be cautious.”

Olawale added that the school radio will only engage in educative broadcasting dedicated to promoting learning, reading and clean fun entertainment for schools age children, teachers, and parents alike.

He noted that the NAPPS has employed professionals, who are cautious and willing to do the job in line with the ethics.

According to Olawale, the school radio station was born out of the attendance challenges brought by Covid-19 pandemic where millions of school children are denied learning in classroom setting.

He noted that the education sector was worst hit by the pandemic, adding that the effect led the proprietors of private schools to leverage on technology as an alternative.

He said the NAPPS school radio was meant to be a one-stop online radio platform for daily subject teaching, adding that it will feature an array of quality education programme geared towards giving students, teachers, and parent a unique radio experience.

He called on stakeholders in the education sector to support the great vision and collectively make it a success.

“The online school radio is as a result of several months brainstorming and hard work of the association.

“The idea is a necessity brought by the challenges of covid-19 Pandemic.

“The education sector is the worst hit; we could not gather nor assemble children in the school or classroom.

“We are left with the option of relying on technology as an alternative means of imparting knowledge to millions of learners across Lagos State.

“NAPPS Lagos State has vowed not to be caught panting in the face of this new normal, in our quest to providing quality education to students of private schools,” he said.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Adefisoye, hailed the association for initiating the online radio station that would serve as learning platform to students in private schools.

Adefisoye said that the pandemic was an eye opener and has taught many countries lesson on the advantage of keying into technology to drive education sector.

Adefisoye, who was represented by Mrs Abiola Johnson from her ministry, said the Ministry of Education is ready to support NAPPS in ensuring quality education to students in Lagos State.