The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has restated its commitment to promoting literacy, digital knowledge, and lifelong learning for young people.
The director of the FCT Education Resource Centre, Dr. Neemat Abdulrahim, reiterated the commitment at the 12th edition of its annual Summer Holiday Children Literacy Programme on wednesday in Abuja.
The programme, tagged BEARHUG (Season 12) with the theme “Harnessing ICT for Educational Productivity,” aims to equip young people to keep up with global trends in education and innovation.
She explained that the programme, which began from Aug. 4, was designed to engage children productively during the long vacation through impactful learning, creativity, and literacy-based activities.
“The participating children were exposed to moral and value-based lessons, aimed at shaping them into responsible citizens.
“The programme featured a wide range of activities including ICT training, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, reading competition, spelling bee, poetry and brainstorming sessions on current affairs.
“It also featured motivational talks by NGOs on contemporary issues,” she said.
According to Abdulrahim, the spelling bee component of the programme enhanced the participants’ vocabulary while also promoting positive socialisation among children from diverse backgrounds.
She further remarked that, BEARHUG, over the years, has helped to curb certain vices such as bullying and lateness that could hinder children’s academic progress.
She emphasised that participation in the programme is open to all children between the ages of 6 years to 16 years in the FCT, with the aim of empowering their minds and unlocking their potentials.
She commended the Head of the City Library, Mr Lawrence Akumuo and his team for their tireless efforts and urged participants to maximise the knowledge and skills acquired.
Abdulrahim said, this was important because, “education goes beyond imparting knowledge to cultivating curiosity, creativity, and character.”
Also speaking, the Head of Administration of FCT Education Resource Centre, Mrs Joan Abdullahi said it was heartwarming to see young minds engaging in various activities meant to enhance their learning abilities and personal development.
Abdullahi urged them not to relent, but keep improving themselves for a better tomorrow.
Some of the parents of the participants commended the organisers for the initiative, describing the Education Resource Centre as living up to its mandate of promoting quality learning in the FCT.
Mr Zaka Fatuwa commended the Centre for sustaining such an impactful, educative, and morally sound initiative.
One of the participants, Rasheed Oluwakorede expressed delight at the programme, stating that it had been very impactful, especially in ICT which she described as “the driving force of the modern world’’.
The highlight of the event included: presentation of prizes to winners who emerged 1st, 2nd, 3rd and consolation prizes to other participants in various competitions.
