At-Tarbiyyah STEM School Celebrates International Success, Calls for Greater Investment in Skills Education

The Director of At-Tarbiyyah STEM School, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi Abubakar, mni, has highlighted the school’s remarkable achievements in international STEM and entrepreneurship competitions, while calling for increased investment in skills-based education to address unemployment and insecurity among Nigerian youths.

Speaking during a celebration with parents and students at the National Children’s Park and Zoo in Abuja over the weekend, Hajiya Amina said the school’s teams recorded outstanding performances in several international competitions, including events held in Côte d’Ivoire and the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) programme.

She noted that At-Tarbiyyah students emerged as top performers at regional levels, winning multiple trophies before advancing to international stages where they secured first, second and third positions in various categories.

The director disclosed that in the recent SAGE competition, two teams from the school finished first and third respectively, earning the opportunity to represent Nigeria at forthcoming global events in Vietnam and Cyprus.

She explained that the gathering was organised as an informal celebration to allow students, parents and staff to jointly commemorate the achievements.

Hajiya Amina used the occasion to advocate stronger national focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, stressing that it is critical to transforming Nigeria from an import-dependent economy into a manufacturing and innovation-driven nation.

According to her, the country’s education system places excessive emphasis on theoretical learning at the expense of practical and technical skills, a situation she said limits creativity, innovation and self-reliance among young people.

“The emphasis should be on critical thinking and innovation. We need to move from an import-driven society to an inventor and manufacturing nation,” she said.

She further linked youth unemployment to rising social challenges, arguing that equipping young people with employable skills would help reduce crime and other forms of insecurity.

Hajiya Amina explained that At-Tarbiyyah’s educational philosophy combines STEM education with discipline, moral upbringing and Islamic studies, a model designed to produce well-rounded graduates.

The director commended parents for embracing the school’s relatively new STEM-focused approach and expressed satisfaction with the progress of its graduates, many of whom are now studying engineering-related courses and medicine in various universities.

She also praised teachers for their dedication, noting that their commitment has contributed significantly to the students’ academic achievements and improved examination results.

Hajiya Amina disclosed that the school currently offers secondary education, Islamic studies and adult learning programmes for married women through weekday and weekend classes.

She added that plans are underway to expand into primary education, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to providing holistic education that combines academic excellence, technical skills and moral development.