Mfoniso-Abasi Bernard, a 10-year-old Junior Secondary School (JSS) Kubwa 3 pupil, was named Best Speaker in the Universal Basic Education Board of the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT-UBEC) 2023 Head-to-Head Reality House challenge.
On Monday in Abuja, the young Bernard, who represented JSS Kubwa 3, was named Best Speaker in the grand finale of the annual reality debate challenge.
JSS Karu and JSS Kubwa 3 were the two schools that slugged it out at this year’s final, with the theme “Out of School Children: Who is to be blamed.”
Although,the challenge was tough,JSS Karu was announced overall winner by the judges.
The winning JSS Karu was represented by 13-year-old Edidion Ekpo, Babatunde Rafat,12 and Iklima Muhammad,13 , while the first runner up JSS Kubwa 3 was represented by Princess Osagie,12, Abiola Jane ,11 and Mfoniso Bernard, 10.
According to the organisers, over 75 juniour secondary schools participated in this year’s challenge, with only 11 making it through the processes to the Reality House.
Mr Kudu Dangana, Director Social Mobilisation FCT-UBEC and Chairman Reality Show, said that 11 schools, with their representatives were camped in the Reality House for eight days for mentoring before the grand finale.
He said nine schools where evicted from the house during the period, while Pink and Brain Junior Secondary School was picked for third position before the grand finale.
According to him, the initiative is geared towards discovering and building the talents of students at the basic education level.
“Education is the only lasting legacy you can leave for a child and that is why we are committed to using programme to making sure that these young ones get the best from their education.
“There are reality shows that magnifies immoral tendencies, but we have decided to use this show to teach our young ones discipline, hard work and morals,” he said.
In his remarks, the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-UBEC, Dr Hassani Sule, congratulated the two schools that made it to the grand finale, adding that the programme was to build the capacity of the pupils.
According to him. parents and guardians should ensure that their children pass through the basic educational system because it is free and compulsory
“We introduced this programme for every child to explore his or her potential by improving their confidence and discipline.
“There should be no reason to deprive our children basic education because education is the child’s right and not a privilege.” he said.
