1972 Set Donates Virtual Chemistry Laboratory App to Omupo Grammar School Omupo, Kwara
The 1972 set of Omupo Grammar School has donated a virtual chemistry laboratory application to its alma mater to enhance science education and practical learning among students.
The donation was made on Tuesday, Oct. 27, when members of the set returned to the school 54 years after their graduation to give back to the institution.
Introducing the application, Prof. James Omoleye, a retired professor of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun, and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Science Resources Ltd., the company that developed eVirtuallab2, said Chemistry was a core subject that connected other science disciplines.
Omoleye, who is a member of the 1972 set, explained that the application would enable students to conduct chemistry experiments virtually without necessarily having access to a physical laboratory.
He said the research and development of the virtual laboratory were motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted conventional teaching and learning methods.
According to him, only three countries, including Nigeria, the United States and Denmark, have developed virtual chemistry laboratory applications.
He said eVirtuallab2 contained 55 experiments designed to align with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) syllabuses.
Omoleye noted that many secondary schools in Nigeria were unable to conduct all the practical experiments prescribed in the chemistry syllabus, adding that about 70 per cent of secondary schools in the country lacked functional laboratories.
The Don said the application offered a more cost-effective alternative to maintaining a conventional chemistry laboratory.
He explained that an average of N1.6 million was required annually to maintain a physical chemistry laboratory, compared with N210,000 for the use of eVirtuallab2 by 60 science students.
He said the innovation would help bridge the gap in practical science education, particularly in schools with inadequate laboratory facilities.
Responding, Ven. Olu Fajemiyo, representative of the Anglican Church, Omupo the proprietor of the school, now know as Anglican Grammar School, Omupo, thanked the old students for the gesture and appealed to other graduating sets to support the development of their alma mater.
Fajemiyo identified the completion of the rehabilitation of the school’s administrative block as one of the areas requiring urgent attention.
He explained that the old students’ association had embarked on the rehabilitation project several years ago but abandoned it because of inadequate funds.
Also speaking, Prof. Raphael Dele Olarinoye, Baba Ijo of St. MMichael’s Anglican Church, Omupo, and a professor of Mathematics and Physics Education, described the donation as a significant opportunity for the students to improve their academic performance.
Olarinoye advised the newly appointed principal of the senior secondary school, who is also a Chemistry teacher, to ensure that the application was effectively utilised to improve students’ understanding of the subject and their performance in practical examinations.
Some of the old students present at the event included the Onikoko of Koko, His Royal Highness Rahaman Adio Onikoyi, who was the class captain of the 1972 set; Sir E. Oyedun; Dr Bisi Adegoke; and Mr Simeon Agboola.
Others were Mr David Opekun, a member of the 1975 set, and Alhaja Lateefat, a member of the 1983 set.
The donation is expected to strengthen practical chemistry teaching at the school while providing students with access to technology-driven learning resources.
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