The teams representing Lagos State Senior Model College Meiran and students of New Era Girls Junior Secondary School Surulere have emerged winners of the World Robot Olympiad finals for junior and senior secondary schools held in Lagos. The two schools, in addition to trophies and other prizes won, will represent Nigeria at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) scheduled to hold in the city of Izmir, Turkiye in November, 2024.
The two schools edged out the other 50 schools that participated in the Robot Olympiad competition at both the preliminary and the finals.
While commending the participating schools and their teachers, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun reiterated the significance of science education for school children at an early stage.
He added that the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will continue to invest in education and 21st Century Technology as enunciated in the THEMES Plus Agenda.
The Commissioner appreciated the teachers who also doubled as coaches to their various schools and acknowledged the students’ efforts of the participating schools for their ingenious creativity in robot building as displayed at both the preliminary and final of the competition.
Mr Ali-Balogun assured the students of the State Government’s plan to provide more computers in public schools to ensure an increased spread of digital learning and skills among pupils and students.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Eniola Opeyemi admonished the students to put more effort and sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills by using robots to solve problems around them. He praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for the opportunity given to the students to explore technology at an early stage of their lives.
The Robot Olympiad competition is an annual event organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to help students exhibit their learnings through practical demonstration, increasing their curiosity and enthusiasm for technology and robotics. The theme for this year’s competition is Earth Allies.
The various school teams explore through robots how nature and natural events can affect us.
Other winners in the State final include Akoka Junior High School, Bariga and Okesuna Junior High School, Lagos Island who came second and third respectively. In the Senior category, Ojo Senior High School, Ojo and Lagos City College, Sabo Yaba picked the second and third positions respectively.
