Worried about the geometric rise in the out-of-school children, Ace comedian David Atake Sikpa recently distributed over 50 free Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms to indigent students of Idjerhe Grammar School, Jesse, in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta state.
Sikpa who was represented by the program facilitator, Mr Lawrence Sikpa also promised to enrol the students in the ongoing National Identification Number (NIN) as part of fulfilment of the requirements for JAMB registration.
Sikpa, an engineer and Chief Executive Officer of Sedaco Group, stated that he was displeased with challenges prospective JAMB applicants and their parents face in his community to raise funds for registration.
“Its so sad to imagine what parents and their wards face in the quest to register for terminal examinations even in the face of a recuperating economy and I’m indeed pained by the rising cases of out of school children as evidenced in the statistics obtained from UNICEF.
“It is quite alarming and worrisome if we don’t address challenges of education at this level.
“I think it is about time we de-emphasize investment in education as the exclusive reserve of the Government alone, it is time for well meaning individuals to partner government at all levels and support development of education especially in our various communities.
“That way, we will be building a new generation and human capital for our people, our state and society at large,” Sikpa stated.
The comedian further stated that funding education in whatever form was not the exclusive reserve of the government alone, adding that investment in education was the surest panacea to insecurity in the nation.
“The current wave of insecurity in our society could be addressed through education, orientation and enlightenment programmes and will help to tame all forms of criminality in our society.
“If we fall at this time to investment in education, we will have greater challenges and insecurity as younger generation will explore opportunities in technology to do negative things if not checked,” he stated.
Sikpa, who explained the relationship between comedy and education said that schools should engage influencers and public opinion leaders to counsel students adding that the place of role models in education pursuit could not be over emphasised.
He called on the government to reintroduce guidance and counselling, saying that it would help direct the energy of students in to positive ventures.
