11,412 students sit for InterswitchSPAK exams

A total of 11,412 students from both public and private secondary schools nationwide sat for the InterswitchSPAK national Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) examination last weekend.

SPAK is an acronym for Speed, Precision, Accuracy and Knowledge, an initiative by Interswitch as a national science competition that promotes STEM education among Nigerian students.

In a statement, Interswitch said all students that registered online wrote the national qualifying examination conducted by NECO at designated centres in Abuja and in the states.

It noted that 47 per cent, which represents 5,382 registered students, were from the South-West region; the South-South had 1,764 students; North-Central region had 1,548 students, South-East had 1,362 while the North-West and NorthEast recorded below 1,000 students.

Lagos State topped the list with 2,280 students while Jigawa and Borno states had 12 and 24 students respectively.

“It is also interesting to note that registration was equally split between male and female students, indicating the strong passion that both sexes have for STEM subjects,” the organisers said.

Interswitch, in the statement, said the best 81 students would be selected to take part in the TV quiz competition where three students will eventually emerge as winners.

“These students will be offered scholarships covering their university education, monthly stipend, alongside laptops and achievement trophies.

“Recognition will also be extended to the teachers and schools represented by the winning students as necessary equipment will be donated by Interswitch to further improve the quality of STEM education in the schools,” it noted.

Earlier at the launch in February, Interswitch’s Group Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Cherry Eromosele said, “For our youth to succeed in today’s knowledgebased economy, they need to acquire the right skill set; their minds need to be reengineered and reconciled with STEM education in order to compete in or create a job market.”

The overall winner is expected to get N7.5 million worth of five years’ university scholarship while the second and third winners will get three years and one year university scholarships along with medals.