Read beyond school curriculum – Fr. Nnaso urges pupils

EDUCATION is the bedrock of any nation’s growth and development. Students who excel in their studies are the driving force behind education as a developmental tool. To have remarkable success, students should read beyond school curriculum.

The Founder/Director of Seat of Wisdom Library, Abatete, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Rev Fr. Sylvester Nnaso stated this at the award presentation of the First Abatete Digest/ Seat of Wisdom Essay School Competition for secondary schools in Abatete.  

He remarked on the need to encourage students and youths to read, describing motivation as an instrument to spur a healthy reading culture in the country, “If you want to motivate young people to read, attach reward to it. It will energise and encourage them. Only a few of them will engage in meaningful educational activity, if it carries no motivation.

Fr. Nnaso commended the organisers of the competition, promising to partner with Abatete Digest for the competition to maintain yearly currency, though it may come with different stimulation packages to motivate students to read.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, Editor, Abatete Digest, Ejike Anyaduba described the essay competition as a novel project conceived by the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief/Publisher, Dr Pat Onukwuli to boost educational pursuit in Abatete and the entire Idemili area.

Mr Anyaduba encouraged the students to see education as a veritable tool to excel in life. Reiterating the relevance of reading, he appealed to the students to embrace reading culture for the opportunities it offers beyond educational institutions, “school curriculum won’t present you with everything life will offer you. Reading beyond school curriculum gives you an edge in life. Your family background notwithstanding, it will open the door of opportunities long after you left school. You can achieve this by reading newspapers, magazines, novels and other educational literature,” he said.

He appealed to school authorities in the area to expose their students to competitions that will stimulate their intellectual faculties, such as the Abatete Digest/ Seat of Wisdom Essay School Competition. Amaechi Ugochi, student of Dominican Sisters’ College, Abatete emerged the best-performing student, carting home the first prize, while Ezeiruoma Faustina of the same school won the second prize and Nzegwu Mmesoma of Notre Dame High School, Abatete, clinched the third place prize.