By JOSHUA OLOMU

Junior Secondary School (JSS) Karu has emerged the overall winner of the 2023 Head-to-Head Reality House challenge, organised by the Universal Basic Education Board of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT-UBEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that JSS Karu defeated JSS Kubwa to clinch the first position at the grand finale of the annual reality debate challenge on Monday in Abuja.

The theme for this year’s Reality challenge is “Out of School Children: Who is to be blamed.”

The winning JSS Karu was represented by 13-year-old Edidion Ekpo, Babatunde Rafat,12 and Iklima Muhammad,13 , while the first runner up JSS Kubwa 3 was represented by Princess Osagie,12, Abiola Jane ,11 and Mfoniso Bernard, 10.

According to the organisers, over 75 junior secondary schools participated in this year’s challenge, with only 11 making it through the processes to the Reality House.

Mr Kudu Dangana, Director Social Mobilisation FCT-UBEC and Chairman Reality Show, said that 11 schools, with their representatives were camped in the Reality House for eight days for mentoring before the grand finale.

He said nine schools where evicted from the house during the period, while Pink and Brain Junior Secondary School was picked for third position before the grand finale.

According to him, the initiative is geared towards discovering and building the talents of students at the basic education level.

“Education is the only lasting legacy you can leave for a child and that is why we are committed to using programme to making sure that these young ones get the best from their education.

“There are reality shows that magnify immoral tendencies, but we have decided to use this show to teach our young ones discipline, hard work and morals,” he said.

In his remarks, the Acting Executive Chairman, FCT-UBEC, Dr Hassani Sule, congratulated the two schools that made it to the grand finale, adding that the programme was to build the capacity of the pupils.

According to him, parents and guardians should ensure that their children pass through the basic educational system because it is free and compulsory

“We introduced this programme for every child to explore his or her potential by improving their confidence and discipline.

“There should be no reason to deprive our children basic education because education is the child’s right and not a privilege,” he said. (NAN)

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