A non-governmental organisation, Saliu Mustapha Foundation, has partnered the Kwara State government to organise English Language and Mathematics quiz competition among secondary schools in the state.
Briefing journalists in Ilorin yesterday, Mr Yakub Ishowo, the co-coordinator of the Foundation, said that the partnership was borne out of its desire to empower those it regarded as the leaders of tomorrow in the area of education.
Ishowo noted that the competition would also foster community development and improve students’ interest in education.
He said the competition, themed “Investment in Education, the Solution to all Problems”, would draw participants from the three senatorial districts of the state.
“The choice of this theme is timely as our country is currently faced with problems of insecurity and destabilised systems of education, among others. With huge investments in education, all problems can be easily solved,” he said.
Sixty schools have been scheduled to participate in the preliminary stage of the competition, out of which 30 will qualify for the grand finale in Ilorin.
He added that the best three schools in each category would be handsomely rewarded, alongside their subject teachers.
The Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Hajia Balikisu Oniyangi, remarked that the state agreed to the partnership proposal because the programme was designed to promote scholarship among secondary schools in the state.
“This competition will also inspire and ignite our students’ passion for the core subjects as they serve as the foundation of any chosen career,” Oniyangi said.
She urged individuals and corporate bodies to see education as a collective responsibility and contribute to the sector through endowment, building of facilities and scholarship.
She also assured stakeholders in education of the state government’s readiness for partnership that would advance the education sector.
