Stanbic Bank has launched the fifth edition of schools debate challenge peddled at equipping students with business and life skills.
At its inception in 2016, the bank started with 32 schools in 2016. As of 2020 there are over 200 schools participating.
Speaking during the launch, the Board chairman of the bank, Japheth Katto said Uganda has over 3,000 secondary schools and about 1.5 million students in secondary and all students are expected to go to university, graduate and get jobs in a market with limited job opportunities.
“Education remains a key sector we continue to support by creating interventions like Stanbic National Schools Championships that equip students with business and enterprise skills to nurture entrepreneurship and creativity” he said
He said the board will fully support the initiative because the results speak for themselves. “Success is not about getting marks but the impact you have on society. Our commitment is to ensure that the young people are given a chance they deserve to grow. I will leave the young people here with a quote; ‘Dreams are not what you see in your sleep. Dreams are the things that don’t let you sleep’.” He added
“We started this programme to enhance creativity, give financial life skills and build capacity among the youth to create opportunities. We believe that we can grow this to reach many schools through soliciting partnerships as we aim for shared prosperity.” He said
The Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, Sen Somdev expressed company’s support for the Stanbic National Schools Championship and handed over Shs 50 million contribution to our Board Chairman Japheth Katto and CFO Sam Mwogeza.
Uganda is said to have the youngest population in the world and it is growing day by day. Youth unemployment is a serious problem that many countries around the world especially African countries are grappling with.
“Nobody can stand alone in driving this country and its aspirations forward. We are all good when we work together. No government can provide jobs for everybody. It is imperative that we ensure this young population is participating productively for the good of the economy.” he said
The director of Education in Kampala capital city authority (KCCA), Julie Namuddu lauded Stanbic Bank for the National Schools Championship initiative which also aligns with the newly introduced education curriculum in which equipping students with life skills is key.
“The National schools initiative for so long believes that it will create critical thinkers, problem solvers and an innovative generation,” she said.
The Manager of Corporate Social Investment at Stanbic Bank Barbra Kasekende said the initiative is not about putting our best foot forward but transforming lives in the communities they serve.
