Recently, Lagos state government rewarded students from various schools in the state for outstanding performance in external examinations and competitions.
Two students of a public school in Agege, Favour Abiodun and Taiwo Solana, who out-performed their peers in the 2020 WASSCE by scoring distinction in all their subjects were awarded scholarship for university education.
Last month, Ogun state governor Dapo Abiodun gave the best graduating student from the faculty of clinical sciences, Obafemi Awolowo university, OAU, Ile Ife, Joy Adesina, a house, five million naira and a scholarship for further studies.
Also, imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, offered scholarship to a student confidence nwozuzu who scored nine a’s in the 2020 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, wassce.
This is coming at a time when things that are not as important as education are celebrated, such that entertainment is accorded priority over sectors such as education and health which can lift the country and her citizens to greater heights.
Education, which is only paid lip service to in the country, contributes so much to the economy of developed countries that has commanded attention.
It is heartwarming that the state governments are paying due attention to secondary education which will encourage students to bring out their best in the higher level.
By this gesture, other students will be motivated, thus bringing out the spirit of competition that could only help promote excellence in these states and the country at large.
It is a known fact that rewarding students for achievements goes a long way in building their morale and motivation.
Rewarding excellence is an indication that the government could reap more if it invests much more in public education as many parents are forced to send their children to private schools where they pay through the nose even when they do not earn commensurate returns.
If the public schools are upgraded and well funded and parents see that excellence is not limited to the private schools, they will be encouraged to patronise the existing public facilities.
Government should inculcate a culture of rewarding academic excellence at all levels of governance as this will involve putting in place a reward system for academic excellence as part of the way of life.
For instance, as laudable as the actions of these states are, there is no guarantee that they will be sustained.
Governors who believe in academic excellence need to make it official by making a policy that will be backed by law in their states to institute specific scholarships and award prizes for students that do well in specific examinations, courses or institutions across the country.
Other state governments and the private sector have to borrow a leaf from these states to help the country assume a position of eminence in the comity of nations.
Fawzeeyah Kasheem
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