Abia Gov’t unveils science teachers’ championship, says government interested in science education
By: Imo Thomas -Umuahia.
In its bid to promote the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program among schools, the Abia State government, in collaboration with ASSPPAA-ISBORS Platforms Limited, has officially unveiled the science teachers championship in the state.
Speaking at the event on Friday, the Abia state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, described STEM as a crucial education needed in times like this.
Elder Ubochi, represented by the Director of Science Technology and Vocational Education, Mrs. Hope Nwosu, said that the government is doing great in achieving the aim of STEM.
“We want to promote STEM because of its advantages. Our government has already launched an online platform as regards teaching and learning. We also have the state competitions, we should not be left behind. Schools should cue – in.
“The present administration is giving serious attention to science subjects. We have taken time to compile the list of the needed teachers in all the subjects in the sciences. Very soon, our public schools will be filled with science teachers,” Ubochi stated.
Elder Ubochi encouraged teachers to be steadfast in what they do as teachers, adding that in this present administration, the reward of teachers is no longer in heaven but on Earth first before heaven.
He thanked Mr. Patrick Ochuba and his ASSPPAA-ISBORS Platforms Limited team for partnering Abia State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
In his presentation, the Co-Founder, Science Teachers Championship, promoters of the Science Teachers Championship (STC) In Abia State, Mr. Patrick Ochuba, said that the STC platform would, among other things, digitally connect all science teachers and students in both public and private secondary schools in Abia State.
“The aim is to reinvigorate the teaching profession, to make the teaching profession very lucrative, very interesting, very attractive, and very entertaining.
“The platform has been structured around the WAEC, NECO, and JAMB Syllables, so we are not going outside the curriculum to perform the practicals. The difference is that we are moving them away from theories to practicals, so the emphasis is on experience in practicals,” Ochuba said.
He urged the secondary school principals, head teachers, science teachers, and students to register for the science competition through @www.scienceteacherschampionship.com, informing them that registration and participation are free of charge.
According to him, “The promoters of the Science Teachers Championship (STC) will reward Monthly Best Biology, Chemistry and Physics teachers with CASH prizes of #50,000 per teacher, while Monthly Best Science Students will receive #20,000 per student, adding that every science experiments the teacher uploads on the STC platform, the sum of #1000 is credited to his or her E-wallet/bank account.
“The relevance, social impact, and effectiveness of the Science Teachers Championship will be better appreciated by Abia State government and the general public at the end of February 2025 when the first set of winners across the state will emerge.
“At the comfort of your homes and offices through your mobile phones and laptops, everyone is seamlessly connected to the classroom activities and engagements of science teachers and students in the state. This engagement is fun in itself,” Ochuba stated
The event featured a question and answer period and attracted many dignitaries, including the representative of the Chief of Staff to the Governor and Special Adviser on Basic Education Education, Sir Kenechukwu Nwosu, amongst others in Abia state education stakeholders.
