Page 12 - Grundtvig International Secondary School Yearbook 2019

FROM THE
OFFICE OF ….EDUCATING THE HEART……
THE DIRECTOR

ristotle in his thoughts about education reminded
us that “educating the mind without the heart is no
Aeducation”. In his quote, Aristotle understood the
great implication of an education that will yield the desired
fruit in a student. Analyzing this quote, one will understand
that by “educating the mind” Aristotle points at learning of
various disciplines like physics, history, chemistry,
etcetera. On the other hand “educating the heart” means a
more pragmatic approach towards education. It is an
approach which will holistically galvanize all knowledge
one gains as a student into a proper application that will see
the student make a serious and positive impact in the
society. A situation where all manner of selfishness,
laziness, lack of wisdom, et cetera are condemned in
students; so that students can learn for the benefit of life.

Today the term “Yahoo Yahoo boys” has become a
household expression in our country. A clear
understanding of this term will leave us with the feeling
that these boys are our children whose proficiency in ICT
is very strong. But they channel this knowledge towards
defrauding people. Perhaps, if these children at their
secondary school level were exposed to a type of education
that had appealed to their hearts, they would have been
more useful to the society than what we have now. Therefore, in our fast-changing world that is
decked with technological advancement which avails our youth ample opportunities for committing
crimes of various dimensions and magnitudes, it is important that we expose the students to a form of
education that would encourage the useful application of these technologies for the benefit of man.
Again, with the huge turn out of graduates and the non-availability of jobs for this teeming population,
the type of education offered to our kids is called to question. Of course, this is where Aristotle's
clarion call to educate the heart becomes inevitable.

With this view (in perspective), I wish to recognize and at the same time appreciate the fact that with
our motto “education for life”, we have successfully aligned ourselves to producing scholars that will
rewrite the history of this country. A proof of this fact is the excellent performance of one of our
graduating students in the 2018 Interswitch competitions held nationwide. She led a group that
proposed an alternative source to charging phones/electronics using solar power. As a school we are
interested in and committed to providing quality education that will lead to an all-round development
of our children. To effect this, we have continued to employ the state-of-the-art facilities necessary to
deliver qualitative education that meets international standards in all ramifications. Recently, we have
embarked on building a fully equipped mini stadium of international standard. This structure when
completed, can help strengthen our children's involvement in sports. Among many other things, and)
most importantly, it will help to explore and raise students with innate abilities for sports. Our dream is
that in future an accomplished and well acclaimed Nigerian athlete will be bold enough to tell
Nigerians that his journey to the top started here at the Grundtvig stadium.

At this juncture, I want to implore our 2019 graduates that much is expected of them after their six
years of fruitful stay with us in Grundtvig. I am confident that we have successfully equipped you with
all that is needed to ascend the ladder of life (challenges). Therefore, I am optimistic that the sky will
be your starting point in whatever career you may choose. On your graduation day as you march down

010 Grundtvig Interna onal Secondary School