The Lagos State Ministry of Education on Thursday said that it would ensure that students across the educational districts of the state got access to free education via technology.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo said that at the handover of the tablets, projectors, and internet routers at Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, Ikeja, that they were donated by United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Adefisayo, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Bolaji Abayomi reiterated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s determination to enhance the quality of education in the state to global standards.
“The Ministry of Education is upgrading from the foundation. This handover is a continuation of the process of digitalization of education globally, students should therefore use the opportunity to leverage the modern way of learning.
“Just last week, we gave out devices to teachers, and that is tradition, in this phase, we are giving out over 1,100 tablets with routers, projectors, and the idea is that we want to ensure that all our students learn in the modern way.
“We want you all to key into the 21st-century learning method by utilizing the devices and taking maximum advantage of them in, and outside the classroom to improve your performances.
“These devices will make learning more enhanced, interactive, practical, and fun, and teaching more detailed, which will make them understand better”, she said.
The commissioner warned that beneficiaries must use the devices for the primary purpose, adding that they were not for play but particularly for learning.
While commending UNICEF for its magnanimity as a strategic partner in quality education delivery, Adefisayo restated that qualitative education is the bedrock of development in any nation, emphasising that the 21st century is a digital period.
He noted that the digital items presented to primary and junior secondary schools in the state would go a long way to aid the use of the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP) platform by teachers and students.
Established by UNICEF and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with Lagos State, NLP is an additional digital learning application for optimal teaching with a broad range of subject content to improve teaching and learning outcomes.
Meanwhile, a Senior Official in the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mr Kayode Ojelade enlightened the students and teachers with short video clips on easy steps to take while using the devices on the NLP platform for learning purposes.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the presentation of the devices to primary schools, as well as junior and senior secondary schools in each educational district was done by Abayomi, with the Tutors-General/Permanent Secretaries of the districts, to Principals, representatives of parents’ forum and students.
On the sideline, the Principal of Topo Grammar School, Badagry, Mrs Oyedele Emiloju applauded the state government for the initiative and described it as a laudable step in the right direction.
According to her, the state government is doing well, going the extra mile to provide modern devices for teaching and learning.
“With these loaded devices, education can no longer be confined to the classroom, the students have the opportunity to study on their own, learn faster, make research, and gain more knowledge”, she said.
