The Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Education Service (GES) in charge of Quality and Access, Dr Kwabena Bempah Tando has urged students to uphold integrity as they progress the ladder of life.

He stated that upholding integrity by embracing honesty and strong moral principles would enable them to grow into people of substance to build on the country’s moral standard and dvelopment.

Addressing a gathering of pupils, teachers, chiefs, and parents at the grand finale of the 2024 NORDU Quiz Competition organised by the Norvisi Development Union (NORDU) in collaboration with UNIWIZ Foundation.

It saw a fierce contest between Tanyigbe, Tokokoe, Avee, and Hodzo Basic Schools.

“Always do the right thing. Even when you are presented with the most difficult of choices, do the right thing”, Dr Tando stressed.

He entreated the learners not to take shortcuts in any of their endeavours in an attempt to cheat or outsmart the system.

“I am married to a woman who has taught me many lessons. One of the lessons is that, as a people, even when there is a gate, we often prefer to jump the wall. We want to take shortcuts. I urge you, students, to go through the right channels. Don't cut corners; always do the right thing”’ he said.

Dr Tando also encouraged the pupils to cultivate a strong sense of teamwork, highlighting the value of collaboration in achieving common goals.

“Working in isolation will not get you anywhere. You must learn to work together, be united, and grow stronger as a team,” he noted.

Reflecting on the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he added, “you all remember 2020 when we faced the pandemic. It was only through collective efforts that we pulled through as a nation and as a global community. So, my dear students work together and learn to support each other.”

Furthermore, Dr. Tando cautioned pupils about the dangers of social media, urging them to harness its potential for self-improvement and development.

“You have a lot of power in your hands, especially as young people. Use that power to resist negativity, to uplift others, and to build the society we all aspire to have,” he advised.

The Paramount Chief of Tanyigbe and Chairman of the 2024 NORDU Festival, Togbega Kodi Adiko VI pledged to champion Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the NORDU enclave to help produce the right human resources for the global village.

“I will do everything within my power to ensure that most of our pupils are exposed to STEM education. This is crucial for their future and the development of our community,” Togbega Adiko VI noted.

He further emphasised the need for strong partnerships between teachers and parents to ensure that pupils receive the necessary support in their educational journey.

He said the broad concept of the competition is to help the children understand the dynamics of the technological world and imbibe the requisite resources into them hence the introduction of ICT, Maths, and science into the competition.

Togbega Kodi Adiko VI said measures would be taken to improve the understanding and performance of students in STEM subjects, as some lapses have been identified in the pupils during the competition.

A team from Tokokoe comprising Agbedidi Ebenezer, Deku Cyrilla, and Gabla Celestine emerged victorious in the quiz competition.

The winners received a laptop each, along with other prizes.

The winners expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the competition and the exposure received.

“This programme has been a great learning experience for us, and we are thrilled to have won. It has taught us the value of hard work and teamwork,” they shared.

The second-place team was awarded smartphones and additional items, while the third-place team received scientific calculators and other gifts