Stakeholders in the education sector have restated the need to invest in information and communication technology (ICT) to deepen the growth and adoption of Edtech solutions for learning.
This was one of the major takeouts at the August edition of Edtech Mondays Fireside Chat by the Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT.
Themed: “Bolstering growth for Nigeria’s EdTech ecosystem,” the event, moderated by Chinyelu Akpa, the Practice Lead, Education CCHUB, featured the founder, Eduterms, Dr Ademola Adenubi, Chief Executive Officer, Schoola Limited, Abdullahi Bature, founder, Ancestors Advisory Limited, Fisayo Durojaiye as well as learning and development specialist, Omotayo Olorunfemi.
Adenubi, noted that Edtech solutions have done a lot in transforming the education landscape in Nigeria as more students and teachers now have access to learning.
While admitting that a lot still needed to be done, Adenubi urged government at all levels to be more deliberate in providing the needed funds for Edtech solution providers, and formulate policies encouraging local content adoption.
On his part, Bature, noted that the advent of artificial intelligence has given rise to the evolution of more Edtech companies.
Bature pointed out that Edtech solution is geared towards providing quality learning and improving learning outcomes for students, while also addressing the challenges of obsolete curricula and dearth of teachers.
According to him, technology has a more significant role in promoting equity in education, especially for people living in rural areas.
Durojaiye, in his remarks, said Edtech solutions can only attract funding when stakeholders desire adopt technology.
Besides, he noted that many funding institutions would only be interested in funding an Edtech ecosystem when they are clear on the problems it intends to solve and the market size.
Olorunfemi stated that the thriving growth of Edtech solutions in Nigeria has been influenced and amplified by the advent of COVID-19 and globalisation.
He advised Edtech solution providers to localise its content and learning context, saying this would help in achieving improve learning outcomes for students.
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), education remains one of the most powerful tools for lifting excluded children and adults out of poverty. Despite the benefits of education, about 20 million Nigerian children still need access to it.
In recent years, technology has proven to be an excellent enabler for inclusion and accessibility in education, accommodating various learners with different learning needs in Nigeria.
