The InterswitchSPAK has deferred the 2020/2021 edition of its National Science Competition till further notice.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Group Chief Marketing and Communication Officer at Interswitch, Cherry Eromosele.
He noted that the postponement was to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 virus during the competition which involves a national qualifying examination; masterclass; quiz and innovations competition.
“We have no doubt that the appropriate course to take as a socially responsible organisation, is to defer this year’s edition of InterswitchSPAK until the dangers to public health posed by the pandemic are sufficiently mitigated.
To this effect, we have formally ceased ongoing registration of candidates by schools across Nigeria and Kenya for the current year, following engagement with relevant concerned educational authorities and stakeholders in both countries,” she stated.
Ms. Eromosele stressed that the organisers have discovered that a virtual version would be impracticable at the moment. Hence, the need to postpone till when physical contact of the participants is possible.
“Based on due considerations for the health, safety and general well-being of thousands of young students and the other categories of stakeholders involved in the national qualifying examinations, Masterclasses and national science competitions across Nigeria and Kenya annually, Interswitch Group has taken the difficult, howbeit, necessary and pragmatic decision to move the activities planned for the 2020 /2021 edition of InterswitchSPAK National Science competition,” the statement read.
The statement revealed that the implementation of the 2020 edition as earlier planned became extremely challenging due to the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak and its outlook which has remained unclear, affecting travels and social gathering amidst other considerations make it.
“Having explored the options open to them including logistics of staging a fully virtual implementation of the competition, the organisers have come to the resolution that the most optimal course of action would be to defer the season.”
Eromosele informed that the organisation has kicked off constructive engagement with various stakeholders and collaborators who work annually on this initiative. They will continue to work with them in unison as they prepare towards the subsequent season of the project.
