Funmi Ogundare
Ansar-ud deen Senior High School, Surulere has emerged the winner of this year’s Lagos State Schools Current Affairs competition designed to test the knowledge of issues relating to the state, country and world in general.
The school represented by Master Isaiah Joseph and Olaniyi Joseph, defeated Lagos State Model College, Kankon to get the star prize. Similarly, Lagos State Model Junior College, Igbonla and Ireti Primary Schools also won in their categories. They received prizes and trophies.
Speaking at the programme held recently at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule expressed delight about the outcome of the competition, saying that it was the decision of the ministry of education to create the diet of quiz competition following observation on the students’ responses to questions posted to them during the Science, Arts and Craft exhibition and talent hunt in May this year.
“This administration is happy with the overt display of knowledge by our amiable children in all facets of life- science and technology, humanities; art and craft, but we noticed a gap in current affairs. Thus, in order to encourage you to break new grounds and soar higher, the government decided to create another diet of quiz competition that is current affairs based.â€
She said the competition is expected to broaden the students’ horizon from the preliminary levels to the finals and encourage them to break new grounds and soar higher.
Adebule admonished them to keep abreast of happenings around the world since it is now becoming a global village, adding “because you stand to learn from scientific, technological, social, economic and political developments the world over to help you in taking informed decision.â€
The deputy governor urged them to devote more time to academic pursuits so that they can excel and be reliable keepers of tomorrow. She warned them to shun all vices such as hooliganism, rape, examination malpractices, late arrival to school, alcoholism and drug abuse, adding that they are distractions that hold dire consequences in the future.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye observed that the standard of questions that the students were asked and the ease with which they answered them was a testimony that the competition was already achieving results.
She told the students that the easiest way to update their knowledge of current affairs is to be news conscious; listen to news and watch educative programmes on local and international radio and television stations, as well as read newspapers, magazines, professional journals and use the social media wisely.
She commended teachers and pupils of the various participating schools for their efforts
In another development, the state government has inaugurated two coding centres in partnership with 9mobile, an initiative of the ministry of education, designed to make coding education framework accessible to every student in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, who launched the programme at Rabiatu Thompson Memorial Primary School, Surulere, reiterated the commitment of the government to training one million Lagos residents to code.
Bank-Olemoh, who was represented by the Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, explained that the CodeLagos is a first-of-its-kind initiative that will enable students in the state to harness, create and leverage on the 21st century opportunities, as well as increase their employment and business opportunities in the technology sector while enhancing the state’s global competitiveness and best practices.
“This new initiative is aimed at using technology to drive the economy and infrastructure development of the state as it is envisioned to make Lagos the technology frontier in Africa. It will enable the state government to equip students with the necessary digital skills to meet the growing demand for technology solutions and approach the world of work as problem solvers. By learning to code, students would also enhance their logical reasoning, problem solving and creative thinking skills set, among others.”
He said CodeLagos also seeks to teach at least one million Lagos students to code by 2019 and foster necessary skills to create sustainable solutions to social challenges and create employment opportunities. He therefore called on the private sector to continue to partner the government to realise the objective.
