L-r: Mrs Elizabeth Asika, proprietress of Hey Day Dynamic School; Mr Barnabas Asika, proprietor of Hey Day Dynamic School; Mrs Obi, parent; Mr Dickson Iroha, chairman of the occasion and Mrs Ezeakonobi.
As the 2024/2025 academic session ends across Nigeria, many educational institutions are taking stock of their progress, challenges, and the impact they have made on their students and the larger society.
One such institution is Hey Day Dynamic School, where the proprietor, Mr. Barnabas Onyema Asika, offered a heartfelt reflection during the school’s end-of-session celebration.
His remarks painted a vivid picture of the journey the school has undertaken and the vision that continues to drive its operations in the face of numerous challenges.
Speaking passionately to the media, Mr. Asika began by reiterating a popular saying: “Education is the key to life.”
He said educating a child is not only a societal priority but also a fundamental right recognized by global bodies such as UNESCO. With this foundational belief, he added, Heh Day Dynamic School has continued to uphold its commitment to quality education, striving to equip students not just with academic knowledge, but with life skills and moral values necessary to thrive in today’s world.
Reflecting on the turbulent period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Asika described it as a time of severe disruption for the school.
With schools shut down and students unable to attend classes, the institution faced a bleak period. Even after the resumption of physical learning, many parents struggled to readjust, and student enrollment was slow to recover.
According to him, the school remained open, sustained by what Mr. Asika described as divine inspiration received by his wife. That inspiration provided the motivation and resilience needed to continue, even when the odds seemed overwhelming.
It also reaffirmed their decision to retain the name “Hey Day Dynamic School,” a name that has become associated with perseverance and purpose.
The proprietor, a seasoned mathematician, shared some of the school’s academic accomplishments over the years.
He emphasized the school’s participation in academic competitions, including the Lagos State Mathematics Competition, which has helped to showcase the capabilities of their pupils.
He noted that the school has earned a reputation for academic excellence, particularly in Mathematics, a subject to which he has personally devoted much attention.
He said their students have consistently performed well in external examinations, a testament to the quality of instruction and the school’s focus on academic standards.
Mr. Asika also highlighted the importance of exposing students to knowledge-sharing platforms outside the classroom, explaining that the school has benefited from collaborations with NGOs and support from reputable organizations, including a time when Macmillan Publishers provided educational assistance.
The decision to expand the institution by adding a secondary school stemmed from the solid academic foundation laid at the primary level.
Mr. Asika said that many parents had expressed their desire to have their children continue into secondary education under the same standards upheld by the primary section.
Recognizing this need, the school initiated the process, although financial constraints have made the expansion gradual.
He acknowledged the challenge of funding, pointing out the lack of accessible loans or external financial support, and emphasized the importance of reconsidering such funding options to enable more schools like Hey Day Dynamic to grow sustainably.
In discussing the holistic development of students, Mr. Asika emphasized the school’s role in nurturing not only academic talents but also creative and personal potential.
He recalled a former student with a remarkable talent for acting, adding that the school encouraged the child’s parents to support his passion, and today, that student has found success as an actor.
This example, he noted, illustrates how recognizing and supporting individual talents can lead to fulfilling careers beyond traditional academics.
He further stated that the school is committed to high moral standards, which has helped maintain a disciplined student body.
According to him, Hey Day Dynamic School has not had to deal with issues of delinquency, a feat he attributes to the school’s strong emphasis on character development.
Despite its achievements, the school continues to face significant financial challenges.
Mr. Asika said that the majority of the school’s parents are either poor or belong to the lower middle class.
In response to their struggles, the school has maintained the same tuition fees for the past five years, even in the face of soaring inflation and a rising cost of living.
This policy he noted has placed considerable strain on the school’s finances, making it difficult to meet the growing demands of both staff and operations.
Many parents have relocated from the school’s vicinity due to increased living expenses, further reducing enrollment.
At the same time, teachers frequently request salary increases to cope with economic realities, placing additional pressure on the school’s limited resources.
Nonetheless, the school remains committed to innovation and quality.
Mr. Asika proudly explained that the institution has adopted new teaching strategies aimed at ensuring deeper comprehension among students.
As a result of recent teacher training, the school now maintains a standard where students must understand at least 90 percent of the lessons taught.
He said that no child in Hey Day Dynamic School fails, thanks to their adoption of the Montessori system, which encourages self-directed learning, particularly among kindergarten and primary pupils.
He stressed that the educational model in use is not only effective but also tailored to meet the needs of every child, regardless of their learning pace or background.
Present at the occasion was Dickson Buffalo Iroha, CEO of Cultural Heritage Foundation Crew as the Chairman of the occasion.
His participation was huge and drew thunderous ovation. Meanwhile, accolades continue to pour in from other invited parents, including Mrs Onuora, who has three children in the school commended the effort of the teachers, the proprietress and the proprietor of the school, explaining the way the children are properly handled with extremely and extra-ordinary care and take her children as their.
Mrs Onuora is so proud having her children enrolled in Hey Day Dynamic School..
One Mrs Ufochi also commented on the effort of both proprietor and proprietress to her child. Recalling that her kid was so dull before enrolment in the school, the performances has become excellent.
Another concerned parent who has her kids in the school while accessing the performance of the children reiterated that it was so encouraging, commended the French teacher stressing that her children now speaks and understand French language fluently.
As the school community gathered to mark the end of the academic year with a celebration, Mr. Asika remarked that the event, though financially demanding, was a deliberate effort to showcase the school’s capabilities.
He said the celebration was not just about festivity, but a statement of intent—to educate, to train, and to make a lasting impact.
He expressed joy in the commendations the teachers have received from parents, noting that these accolades are a direct result of the school’s unwavering standards in both academics and moral instruction.
He concluded by affirming that such recognition only motivates them to strive harder and continue serving their community with excellence and dedication.
The story of Hey Day Dynamic School stands as a powerful example of resilience, purpose, and the pursuit of educational excellence in a challenging environment.
Through vision, community support, and a deep commitment to their mission, the school continues to shine as a beacon of hope and opportunity in Nigeria’s ever-evolving educational landscape.
For a better society
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