EDUCATION SECRETARY CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO GO BEYOND THE CLASSROOM WITH SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
By: Ngozi Dike-Nkemjika
The Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo has urged students to see themselves as not just future leaders but builders of tomorrow by changing the face of healthcare, engineering, manufacturing/industries as they apply technical and scientific innovation in solving every day challenges.
The Secretary made this assertion while receiving students from four FCT Schools who participated at National Innovation Challenge Showcase recently organized by PanAfricare and her partners ExxonMobil Foundation and TechWomen Alumni Association in Abuja.
Appreciating the students for their impressive outing and performance, the Secretary noted that they have made both their schools and FCT proud. He emphasized that a lot is being spent on education in FCT to ensure a conducive teaching and learning environment, this he said is yielding positive results in the performance of students, urging them to keep up the zeal.
“Everything we do begins with our mindset, that’s why we must set our minds right in achieving more, venturing into new things that will bring modification, add value and improve the way of doing things vis-à-vis Innovation,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation while presenting the students to the Secretary explained that four (4) schools from FCT were among the contestants from the six (6) Geopolitical Zones at the national event, where the students showcased their talents in the robot game, innovation project and Virtual Reality/ Augmented RealityVR/AR and all performed brilliantly. bringing honour to FCT.
He pointed that one of the mandates of the Department is to popularize science, technology, and innovation through defined programs and activities. “It is therefore important to recognize and encourage schools that actively engage in innovation-driven exhibitions and competitions, as these reinforces the commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation among young learners and also motivate other schools to participate in future programs,” he emphasized.
Out of the 14 schools who participated at National Innovation Challenge Showcase, FCT was represented by four schools which include Govt’ Girls Science Secondary School (GGSSS), Kuje, Junior Secondary School (JSS), Zuba, Junior Secondary School (JSS), Dutse Sagwari and Govt’ Secondary School (GSS), Kuje. They all showcased their intellectual/creativities in Robotic & Innovation categories and clinched different positions.
