JHS students to contribute solutions to environmental problems

By Amadu Kamil Sanah, GNA

Accra, March. 26, GNA - The Foundation for Generational Thinkers (FOGET) in their bid to building a resilient youth front, has introduced a contest- the Challenge- to its annual quiz competition.

The contest will task students from the various Junior High Schools (JHSs) to find solutions to identified problems facing the country.

It aims at pressing students to transfer knowledge in the classroom to solve everyday problem such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and pollution, among others in their communities and the country as a whole.

This year’s competition would be run in partnership with the Ghana National Association of Private Schools (GNAP) and will feature 27 private schools that have registered to participate in the FOGET-GNAPS Quiz and Competition.

Mr Prosper Dan Afetsi, the President and Founder of FOGET, explained that his organization created the platform to challenge children to be critical thinkers.

He said Ghana’s inability to compete with its peers was as a result of students not being challenged enough to transfer the knowledge acquired in the classroom to the benefit of the country.

Mr Afetsi said all participating schools would be grouped into four and two schools will qualify from the group stage to the next level.

“After the semi-finals, the four schools that will emerge as winners of the quiz competition, will then face the Challenge- that students representing each school would be given a task of finding solution to identified problem in their community”.

He said the project would require the students to conduct research to identify problems by going on a field trip to relevant agencies to conduct interviews to find out what was being done to solve the identified problems and most importantly, provide practical hands on solution to the identified problem at the end of the research.

The FOGET President said: “As part of the requirements for the contest, each school is expected to present a minimum of 40 page research paper after the project.”

“Students after the research project will do presentation on their findings and solutions on how to curtail the problem before a panel of judges on a date yet to be communicated”.

He said FOGET would ensure fairness and authenticity of work done, saying “The panel shall then declare the winner of the competition after listening and examining the various documents and presentations from the contestants and vetting them.”

Mr Afetsi also announced consolation prizes that would be given to the four schools and the contestants on the grand finale.

“The prizes are: Overall winner will be given a flat screen television, Desktop computer and cash of ¢1,000.00, educational materials and sponsors' souvenirs. 

The first runner-up will get a LaserJet desktop printer, cash of ¢500.00, educational materials and sponsors’ souvenirs.

The second runner-up, a LaserJet desktop printer, GH¢300.00, Educational materials and sponsors’ souvenirs, while the fourth prize, comprise of a LaserJet desktop printer, educational materials and sponsors’ souvenirs.

Mr Afetsi called on corporate Ghana to support the Foundation either by cash or kind to make the event a success.                  

He expressed the hope to expand the scope of the project to cover all schools in the country to encourage students to make innovations.

GNA

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