Governor Chukwuma Soludo has called on teachers and other stakeholders to build capacity of citizens in digital technology; to equip them to be useful at home and also make them exportable abroad.
Governor Soludo, who was speaking at the fourth edition of science and technology fair for primary schools in Anambra State; organised by the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, at its headquarters in Awka, said there should be sustained efforts in giving children relevant orientation and education in technology early in life in order to achieve set objectives.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, explained that the idea was to instill from the early-stage skill-based education and empowerment in the children who are growing up; so they will grow up to be citizens who will expect not what the society will do for them, but what they will do to provide solutions to problems in the society.
Also speaking, the Anambra State Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe, called on teachers to lay emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, at the foundational level, and teach the subjects in a way to generate pupils’ interests from early stage of education.
Earlier in an address, the Chairman of ASUBEB, Dr Mrs Vera Nwadinobi, commended Governor Soludo for providing conducive educational environment for teaching and learning of science and technology in primary schools in Anambra State.
According to Dr Mrs Nwadinobi, the science and technology exhibition provided opportunity for schools that emerged champions at the six educational zones to showcase scientific and technological tools, equipment and materials that help to provide practical solutions to identified problems in the environment; in accordance with the mandate of the Governor.
In a keynote address with the theme, “Science, technology and innovation as bridge from poverty and insecurity to prosperity and security: catching them at their impressionable ages”, Professor Ifeyinwa Ezenwa of the Industrial Physics, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, noted that the theme was apt and couldn’t have come at a better time than now when the country is facing security challenges resulting from poverty and joblessness.
In her remark, the Director of Academic Services of ASUBEB Awka, Lady Stella Ezepue, noted that the introduction of the science and technology fair for primary schools in Anambra State is to lay foundation for catching up with the realities of the knowledge-driven twenty-first century, which she said has necessitated the change of direction in teaching and learning.
The Science and Technology Desk Officer at ASUBEB Awka, Helen Nwankwo, explained that it is in recognition of the critical role of science, technology and innovations in lifting the populace out of poverty and insecurity that the National Policy on Education provides for teaching and learning of these subjects right from primary school levels.
Inspections of various school stands, award of prizes and certificates, debates, cultural dances, cutting of anniversary cakes, among others formed part of the event.
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