Exclusive Interview: FORCEN SCHOOLS Proprietress speaks on vision, values, impact

By Samuel Matthew

In the bustling heart of Aseese, Ogun State, FORCEN SCHOOLS has steadily grown into one of the most talked-about citadel of learning, combining academic excellence with moral and character building. In this exclusive interview, our correspondent sat down with the Proprietress of FORCEN SCHOOLS, Mrs. Ngozi Ejenavi, to discuss the school’s journey, its achievements and the vision for the future. Excerpts!

What inspired you to establish FORCEN SCHOOLS?

Education has always been my passion. I believe every child deserves a nurturing environment where they can thrive academically, socially and morally. FORCEN SCHOOLS was born out of the desire to raise future leaders who are not just book-smart but also values-driven and confident to face the world.

Our vision is to nurture a generation of confident, creative, self-reliant and responsible learners who will excel academically, morally, socially and become shining leaders in Nigeria and beyond. While our mission is to provide a safe, stimulating and inclusive learning environment where every child is valued and inspired to reach their full potential.

How would you describe the philosophy of FORCEN SCHOOLS?

Our philosophy rests on eleven pillars: excellence, discipline, integrity, creativity & innovation, respect, leadership & responsibility, teamwork & collaboration, lifelong learning, service to humanity and faith in God.

We are intentional about producing well-rounded pupils. That means as much attention is given to moral upbringing and social skills as to classroom learning. We want our pupils to shine both inside and outside the school walls.

Talking about impressive performance, what makes FORCEN pupils stand out?

It is a combination of quality teaching and the strong partnership we build with parents. We also make sure our classrooms are interactive and engaging, blending traditional learning with modern teaching aids. Above all, our pupils carry the FORCEN SCHOOLS culture of integrity, respect and excellence wherever they go.

Despite the challenges associated with the location of FORCEN due to poor education value of some of the people, we refused to lower our standard. We are very happy with feedbacks of our pupils blending so well wherever the go.

Beyond academics, what opportunities do you offer pupils for personal growth?

We run a balanced program that includes sports, debates, cultural activities and leadership training. These activities instill confidence and teamwork, while also helping pupils discover their talents early. We are committed to raising leaders, not just certificate holders.

What are the challenges of operating FORCEN SCHOOLS?

Running a Nursery and Primary school in Nigeria, particularly in a community where we are situated, is often a labour of love rather than a purely commercial venture. FORCEN SCHOOLS as a private school with a mission to nurture young minds, is no exception. Despite our dedication to providing quality education, the school continues to face daunting challenges that reflect the wider struggles of the society.

One of the most pressing issues is rising operational costs. Inflation, frequent hikes in the price of educational materials and high energy costs have made it increasingly expensive to sustain day-to-day operations. We are trying to keep tuition affordable for parents, but sincerely the cost of running a standard school with competent teachers, learning aids and conducive classrooms is rising almost daily.

Another major challenge is teacher retention and training. Many qualified teachers leave private schools for better-paying opportunities, leaving schools like us to constantly recruit and retrain new staff. This turnover affects consistency in teaching and puts pressure on management to maintain standards.

We also contends with infrastructural limitations. Providing modern learning facilities such as ICT, library and recreational spaces requires significant financial investment. In a community where parents already struggle with economic hardship, raising fees to match infrastructural upgrades drives parents away. So, we keep the fees low while maintaining the standard.

Unfortunately, some parents will still owe and when you request for fees payment, rather than pay, they take their children elsewhere, and start to speak ills about us without stating exactly why they actually left. But, we still have parents who values the quality of education we offer. Even when they owe, we sit down and agreed on payment structure

How do you see FORCEN SCHOOLS in the next five to ten years?

By God’s grace, we envision FORCEN SCHOOLS becoming a model of holistic education in Nigeria. We are working towards expanding our facilities, integrating more technology and building stronger collaborations so our pupils are prepared to compete and succeed anywhere in Nigeria and beyond.

What message would you like to share with parents and guardians?

Parents should see education as a long-term investment, not a short-term expense. At FORCEN, we do our part to give the best, but parental involvement is key. When parents and schools work together, children blossom. My message is simple: believe in your child, support their dreams and trust schools that prioritize genuine growth.

In Conclusion

FORCEN SCHOOLS continues to make a mark in the educational landscape, not just by producing high-performing students, but by instilling values that last a lifetime. From the words of its Proprietress, it is clear that the school’s mission goes beyond academics, it is about shaping the future one child at a time.