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Best Principal of The Year Award my 17th -Mrs. Adetimehin

The Principal of CAC Grammar School, Akure, Mrs Oluwapelumi Adetimehin, spoke with Saheed Ibrahim on her recent award as the Best Principal in Ondo State and how she was able to win the prestigious award.

Introduction

I am Mrs Oluwapelumi Mercy Adetimehin, the  principal of CAC Grammar School, Akure

Congratulations on your award as the Best Principal in Ondo State. How did you achieve this feat.

Let me say that with God, all things are possible. With God on my side, when I was informed about the award, I was a bit  nervous because I looked back and saw how far we’ve come. When I first arrived at CAC Grammar School, the condition of the place compared to how it is now earned me the award. So, I really thank God for it.

What does the award mean to you?

It means so many things. This award is the 17th  I’ve received as a principal, but out of all of them, I believe it’s the best. Even my husband considers it greater than all the other awards I’ve received from various people, organizations, and even magazines. For example, I received an award from my alma mater, St. Monica Girls Grammar School, last year, but this one stands out as the best. If your employer can distinguish you among your peers, then you have truly done well. I think that is the greatest recognition so far.

Can you give us insight into some of the previous awards you have received? What do you think singled you out to win this award?

The first award I received was from the Institute of Driving and Advocates. They awarded me the Best Performing Principal in the Central Senatorial District. This was my first award as a principal when I arrived here in January 2021. They recognized what I had accomplished at United CAC Grammar School, where I had been previously posted. When I got there, I was the first principal to successfully engage old students.

The school had never experienced the involvement of its alumni  but when I arrived, I asked questions. I knew the school had existed for many years, so there should be notable alumni who could identify with their alma mater. I began contacting some of them. Someone gave me the number of Pastor Babalola, now the Commissioner for Housing, who also happened to be the Chairman of the School-Based Management Committee at United CAC Grammar School. I reached out to him and asked, “Daddy, what’s happening with your old students? Could you help me with their names?” He gave me the names, and I began calling them, suggesting that the old students needed to be more involved.

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The first event they attended was an inter-house sports competition. They organized the music system and other logistics, and even came in their old students’ vests. I also reached out to Mr. Ala, a teacher at Aquinas, and we gathered the old students together. The inter-house sports event went very well, and from that point on, the old students began making an impact in the school.

When I arrived here at CAC Grammar School and received the award, it motivated me. If I could be recognized as the best principal in the Central Senatorial District of Ondo State, it showed that the community wanted me to do more and to have an impact wherever I go. That pushed me to continue working hard.

The system I used at United CAC Grammar School was implemented here as well, but the alumni engagement here was even better. Some of their old students were already actively contributing. For example, the large edifice at the school gate was donated by Chief Adedipe, SAN. The project was already in progress when I arrived, so I contacted him and the former principal, Pastor Akinyede, who had been working on it. Pastor Akinyede told me that there had been challenges with completing the wall, but Chief Adedipe was committed to finishing it as a memorial for his mother. Within two months, the project was completed. It was the first project I commissioned, along with the car park and several others that followed.

So, I can say that it is truly by God’s grace. No one can receive anything unless it is given by God, and I really bless God for this award

How does the award make you feel?

Let me say that I’m even happier this year that the award came when God really looked upon us. Looking at our results—both WAEC and NECO—I have never experienced such success in my life, not even at United CAC. The parents came in large numbers during our victory celebration, dancing and full of joy. I said to God, “Thank You,” because when I first arrived here, the results were not really good.

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Here, we don’t encourage malpractice; I met the school with that principle. We don’t teach students how to cheat. Whatever support we give them is done before they enter the examination hall. Our school registrar, Pastor Odudu, is very well known. It sometimes gets to the point where we have to beg him not to go near the exam hall because his presence makes the students nervous, thinking they may be doing something wrong. We all know they cannot cheat, and this year, God truly blessed our efforts.

As for the results, at least 50% of my students passed, even in WAEC. When NECO results were released, we achieved almost 100%. Some students who had a few lapses in WAEC were able to make up for them in NECO. At least 90% of the students are expected to gain admission this session, and I’m hopeful for even better results in the future. I’ll be retiring on July 4  next year when I turn 60.

Do you have a message for your students?

Let me start with my students. I would tell them that there are no shortcuts to success  in life. They should sit down and study hard. If they put in the effort, they will succeed. I always tell them that nobody is born a genius, except for a few. But everyone has the ability to become at least an average student. You have what it takes to succeed.

If you compare the opportunities we had growing up, our parents didn’t know how to read or write as we do, but they cherished education. My father, a farmer, couldn’t read or write, but he valued education so much that he sent his children to boarding school, even back then. That passion for education and seriousness is what I encourage in my students. No one is incapable of understanding their studies if they dedicate the time. Even if some teachers aren’t meeting expectations, I tell students not to be discouraged. My best subject at university was Geography, which I learned largely on my own.

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Students need to focus on their studies and not rely too much on the internet or shortcuts. Relying on these can lead to disappointment when things don’t work out. If you prepare properly, even if you don’t get an A, you can still achieve a good result.

Your  message  for the teachers?

To the teachers, I tell them the same thing—there are no shortcuts. I was talking to my Geography teacher recently and asked, “why haven’t I seen you with a map or topographical sheet in class? Are you not covering it?” I reminded him that in our classrooms, we have resources like topographical maps and past questions, so there’s no reason not to use them. Those who knew me when I was at Baptist High School, or at Army Comprehensive High School from 2000 to 2010, know how dedicated I was. I later returned to St. Louis Grammar School, where, even though there was no vacancy for Geography, I taught Economics.

There’s nothing you cannot achieve if you devote time and passion to your subject. Let your subject be your best friend. Treat it as though your future depends on it, and you will succeed.

Any message to your fellow principals?

To my fellow principals, I want to say this: When I arrived here, it seemed like people didn’t understand their priorities. We should have the mindset that wherever we go, we should leave that place better than we found it. If we carry that attitude, we will achieve great things. The structure of this place, the way we are sitting now, is very different from how I found it in 2021. I took charge of this conference hall and improved on it. I always make use of whatever resources are available.

But none of this has been my doing alone. It’s all been through God’s wisdom. So, to all my fellow principals, I urge them to have the ambition to leave a place better than they found it. Let that be their goal, and they will achieve great things.

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