Stakeholders in the education sector have underscored the need for investment in ICT towards deepening learning. 
  
At the fifth African Edutech conference, jointly organised by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) and an educational consultant, Edufirst, held in Lagos, yesterday, participants from Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, lamented that Africa was not tapping enough from the potential of technology in advancing learning in the education sector.
   
Speaking at a panel session, themed: “Leveraging Collaboration and Partnership for Edutech Growth in Africa”, Head of Oxbridge Tutorial College, Charity Tony-Ubah, recalled that COVID-19 was a wake-up call to embrace educational technology in Nigeria. 
  
She stressed the need for effective collaboration among industries towards advancing its penetration in Africa.
   
In his contribution, Deputy Minister of Education, Republic of Ghana, John Ntim Fordjour, declared that education remained the best strategy to move the world forward.  
   
He said: “If we want to contribute to competitive innovation and we want to raise the human capital to have the skills required to make a difference on the continent, who will be confidently compete for opportunities across the globe, then we will need to pay attention to how we do education.”
     
While advising governments in Africa to play a frontal role in the advocacy of edutech, he said it is important for the provision of ecosystem that would make the innovation thrive. 
  
“Definitely government cannot do it all, but once they take the lead, we will be able to mobilise the private sector along, when an enabling environment is set, and the digital ecosystem is promoted, it makes it attractive for private sector participation,” he added.
 
Earlier in his opening remarks, President of NBCC, Ray Atelly, emphasised the need for collaboration and partnership among key players in transforming education through technology.
  
He stressed the imperative role of governments and policymakers in creating enabling environment for edutech collaborations and partnerships. 
   
He said: “Various issues impede the potential of digital data in education management. Many countries lack capacity; just over half of countries use students identification numbers. Countries that do not invest in data will definitely struggle.  A recent survey among UK universities found that 43 per cent had trouble linking data systems, which makes the topic a timely discourse.”
   
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo, who was represented by Mrs Elizabeth Oyinlola, announced that the Federal Government was already working on a policy that would deepen the use of technology for learning across schools.
   
Organiser of the event, Assistant General Manager of Edufirst, Chinyere Emeruwa, said leveraging technology to bridge the educational divide with the right knowledge and skills would enhance positive development in the country.