At least 158 secondary schools nationwide have received clearance to participate in the highly anticipated 9th edition of the Stanbic National Schools Championship (NSC), an annual platform aimed at fostering youth entrepreneurship skills.
Sam Mwogeza, the Executive Head for Personal and Private Banking at Stanbic Bank, emphasized the importance of parental and school support in aiding students to effectively prepare their projects and enhance their competitiveness.
“Entrepreneurship stands as the key sustainable solution to combat youth unemployment. As a brand committed to driving Uganda’s growth, the Stanbic National Schools Championship serves as a platform to nurture students into the next generation of job creators and wealth builders,” remarked Mwogeza.
Each year, over 60,000 students from 100+ secondary schools across Uganda engage in diverse skilling challenges covering areas such as career development, financial literacy, business acumen, teacher training, and psychosocial wellness.
This year, Central region schools lead in participation with 49 entries, followed by the East with 45, 36 from the Western region, and 28 representing the Northern region, according to Diana Ondoga, the Corporate Social Investment Manager at Stanbic Bank Uganda.
“Over the past eight years, the Stanbic National Schools Championship has positively impacted half a million learners, teachers, and communities, both directly and indirectly. We aim to achieve even greater milestones in this 9th edition,” Ondoga affirmed.
George Muteekanga, the Assistant Commissioner for Private Schools at the Ministry of Education and Sports, commended Stanbic for transforming the NSC into an effective platform for youth empowerment, aligning with the government’s economic transformation agenda.
Muteekanga emphasized a shift towards valuing students’ practical skills over mere academic achievements, stating, “Today, the focus lies not only on academic grades but also on students’ practical abilities. NSC participation equips students with invaluable skills in ideation, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation.”
The NSC serves as a testament to the potential of youth-led initiatives in driving socioeconomic progress, as demonstrated by Comboni College School from Lira district, which clinched victory in the 8th edition. The school’s triumph earned them a fully installed solar system worth shs20 million, empowering them with clean and reliable energy resources
