St. John’s College, Jos, marked a significant milestone on Saturday 20th of July, 2024 with its 57th Speech and Prize Giving Ceremony. The event, held in the school’s expansive Chapel Hall, was attended by students, faculty, alumni, and distinguished guests.
The Principal, Ven. Dr. Ephraim J. Gongden, delivered a heartfelt address, highlighting the institution’s achievements and expressing gratitude to its community.
In his speech, Dr. Gongden praised the dedication and hard work of the college’s founding fathers, past principals, and the current teaching and non-teaching staff. “We thank God for the founding fathers, past principals, and all staff who have labored here before us. May God remember them for their sacrifices,” he said.
He went further to acknowledge the support from the Plateau State Government under the leadership of Barr. Caleb M. Mutfwang, and the Ministry of Education, Dr. Gongden highlighted the recent promotion of 20 teachers.
“May I use this opportunity to appeal to the Plateau State Government under the leadership of Barr. Caleb M. Mutfwang to consider continuing grants-in-aide for schools such as ours. This will significantly help us provide meaningful salaries to our staff. As a church school, we operate non-profitably and charge minimal fees to ensure children from all backgrounds receive quality education. I also extend my gratitude to the Ministry of Education, particularly the Jos North Area Inspectorate, for their supervision, advice, and support in the life of our College.”
As a church school, St. John’s College is actively involved in the community, offering scholarships to indigent children and those affected by insurgency. The school also participates in community development programs and supports rural schools.
St. John’s College, a coeducational school under the Anglican Diocese of Jos, boasts a diverse student body and staff from various faiths and denominations. The college maintains an inclusive admission policy, provided individuals adhere to its regulations.
The college’s current staff comprises 43 teaching members, including one Ph.D. holder and several with advanced degrees. Additionally, 33 non-teaching staff support the school’s operations, ensuring a conducive learning environment for its 625 students, split between 362 males and 253 females.
Dr. Gongden proudly announced the graduation of 114 senior secondary students and 93 junior secondary students. He wished them the best in their future endeavors and expressed optimism about the college’s continued success. “I believe that if Christ tarries, greater things shall be accomplished by the College and her products in the years ahead,” he stated.
The 2023/2024 academic session was eventful, marked by notable achievements in both academics and extracurricular activities. Among these were the representation of St. John’s students in international sports competitions and the attainment of a CS50 Certification from Cambridge University by three students. The college also achieved impressive results in the 2023 WASSCE and NECO examinations, though Dr. Gongden emphasized a commitment to further improvement.
Dr. Gongden concluded by expressing gratitude to the St. John’s Old Students Association (St JOSA) for their unwavering support. He urged all alumni to work together to enhance the college’s standing. “Let me thank very sincerely St JOSA members for always coming to our aid through various contributions and projects. May God prosper St JOSA members and enable them to continue with the laudable projects and programs,” he said.
The ceremony was a testament to the enduring legacy of St. John’s College and its commitment to providing quality education and community service.