By Angela Atabo
The Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) says it is promoting science and technology education in basic schools to entrench innovation and entrepreneurship among learners.
Acting Executive Chairman of the board, Mr Alhassan Sule, said this on Saturday in Abuja, at the15th Edition of the Annual Junior Engineers, Technicians, Scientists (JETS) Entrepreneurship and Inter-Area Council quiz competition.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was organised for primary and junior secondary schools in the FCT.
It had the theme, “The Popularisation of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Entrepreneurship”.
Sule, who was represented by the Director, Special Needs and Nomadic Education, Malam Bashir Abubakar said that the goal of the competition was to create an army of entrepreneurs among primary and secondary school students.
He described the competition as a “platform for grooming young innovators”, and stressed the need for school children to be trained not just as job seekers, but as job creators.
The executive chairman said that the gesture will be extended to children with special needs, and those in monadic schools, so as to leave no one behind.
Earlier, the Director, Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Mrs Florence Wenegieme, said that the competition was organised in view of the importance of science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in the country’s education system.
She said that this is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.
Wenegieme explained that the competition began two weeks ago across the six area councils, adding that the winners will represent the FCT in the interstate competition, and expressed optimism that the FCT will emerge victorious.
Besides, she noted that the competition boosts students’ confidence and helps them to overcome the fear of science and mathematics as it inspires them to consider careers in engineering, medicine and other STEM fields.
“The JETS competition is being organised annually to create awareness and at the same time, encourage students to be able to take science and technology subjects.
“Guidance and counselling alone is not enough; the only way we can encourage them is to give them the opportunity to display their talents, both practically and in theory.
“This, in the long run, will encourage them to go into professions like engineering, becoming mathematicians, doctors and entrepreneurs,” she said.
NAN reports that students from Gwagwalada Area Council emerged overall best with 32 points, while students from Abuja Municipal Area Council and Bwari Council came second and third with 24 and 20 points respectively.
Reacting to the event, a student of Junior Secondary School, Phase III, Gwagwalada, Ugochukwu Soludo, said that he was excited to have emerged among the top performers.
He advised other students to study consistently, assuring them that dedication and self-belief remain key to excelling in science-based competitions.
NAN reports that the event also featured an exhibition of science, technical and entrepreneurial projects by students from participating schools. (NAN)
Edited by Sandra Umeh
