An educationist, Mrs. Olajumoke Akere, has underscored the importance of raising African students for global education and competence.

Akere, the Director of JSAY Pre-varsity, said strengthening global education and competence is vital for students to thrive in a rapidly changing world and for societies to progress without leaving anyone behind.

She stated this during a media briefing to announce its win at the Outstanding Cambridge Award 2023 for achievements in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Information Technology.

The educationist said Nigeria and Africa have much to gain from growing openness and connectivity, and more to lose from rising inequalities and radicalism.

Akere said children need skills to be competitive and ready for a new world of work and to develop the capacity to analyse and understand global and intercultural issues.

“Cambridge Learners Award 2023 is to celebrate and recognise the success of high-performing learners and the partner schools that have exemplified Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Child Protection policies.

“Twenty-first-century students live in an interconnected, diverse and rapidly changing world. Young people’s lives have been shaped by emerging economic, digital, cultural, demographic and environmental forces, thus providing platforms that would help in increasing their knowledge.

“Therefore, exposing them to global education by participating in examinations in the Cambridge curriculum is imperative in a changing world”, Akere said.

She noted that beneficiaries of Cambridge Award 2023 are products of JSAY Pre-varsity institution, a post-secondary school that incorporates academic teaching, mentorship and counselling, to help students, some of whom are already studying in America, Britain and Australia, to achieve their set goals.

The Registrar, Geeta Vasandanni, emphasised that the institution focuses on helping young people to succeed and have global relevance.