There is a need
The globalized world in which we live, driven by information and communications technology, presents opportunities for human development hitherto unimaginable. The creation of unprecedented levels of knowledge in the last century, has led to creation of wealth like never before in human history, but this progress has remained limited to those nations that create knowledge and te
chnology. The average Nigerian child of today faces a different kind of challenge to succeed in today’s world, to succeed in today’s world the little child in Sokoto no longer only has to compete against his local contemporary in Sagamu but faces competition from places as far flung as Shanghai. Former president Late Alh. Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua intelligently captured the problem during the global financial crisis of 2007, when he stated that in the face of “the persistent push & pull of local and global realities, there is no better moment to rededicate ourselves to the urgent task of repositioning our country.” There is no better way to meeting this challenge than through by promoting education that creates measurable value for the society. Schools Challenge was conceived with the future in mind and is aimed at making a contribution toward changing the current societal trend of promoting professional sports and entertainment at the expense of education. We believe that only by education is enduring wealth created in a society and we making Nigeria a major player in the new knowledge economy, by promoting the love of learning with a view to
creating benefit to society, in our younger ones who are the leaders of tomorrow. Beyond the current practice of acquiring certificates for the purpose of securing ever more scarce jobs, we must as a society begin to see education as a lifelong endeavour that goes beyond formal schooling. We can no longer, in the words of US president Barrack Obama, “continue to send our kids into a 21st century world through the windows of a 20th century education” and in our own case an inefficient 20th century based educational system. Schools Challenge will be leading a campaign to return education to its pride of place as the primary driver of economic development, by promoting value based education with a leaning toward STEM education: STEM being Science Technology Engineering Mathematics. Our approach is to organize competitions and events that reward those doing well in these areas while letting others know that the only sure way to an assured future is a sound and whole education. Our campaign will include capacity development, career counseling, science fairs amongst and a host of other programmes that will put the need for education to play a major role in society into the consciousness of all and sundry. It is not only the winners in sports and reality TV shows with questionable morals that should be celebrated but the stars in education related fields must be given the needed attention in order to encourage others to follow this course. Using mass media and new media tools we will be making the stars that will truly make Nigeria great again in Africa and the world.
