The Bank of Industry (BOI) has partnered with CloudNotte, an education technology company, to empower schools in Rivers State with digital tools and knowledge.

The collaboration aims to bridge the gap in access to quality education by providing schools with the necessary technology and training to drive innovation in education.

In Port Harcourt, over 700 school owners, administrators, and educators benefited from a one-day capacity-building program titled “Educators Insight.”

The programme focused on equipping school leaders with practical digital knowledge and tools to improve learning and teaching.

According to Engr. Pacqueens Irabor, BOI’s Divisional Head for MSMEs, South-South, the partnership is designed to introduce schools to new opportunities that will help them scale their impact.

He noted that the purpose of education is not only to create law-abiding citizens, but also to equip students with practical skills relevant to today’s economy.

Therefore, as part of the partnership, Irabor noted that the BOI will provide schools with access to funding of up to ₦5 million under the FGN MSME Intervention Fund at a nine per cent interest rate for three years.

This funding, he added, will enable schools to acquire the necessary technology, including computers, solar solutions, and software, to deliver quality education, while CloudNotte will provide schools with digital tools and training to enhance teaching and learning, enabling them to run efficiently and effectively.

“BOI has a huge appetite to fund education because it helps us fulfil our mandate of creating jobs,” Irabor said.

Speaking at the event, the CEO of CloudNotte, Mary Matthew, emphasised the importance of digital transformation in Africa’s education system, highlighting the need for equity in education and the role of government and private sectors in promoting education.

Matthew noted that the partnership between BOI and CloudNotte is designed to empower school leaders with the necessary digital knowledge and skills to drive innovation in education.

“The government is trying, but they need to do more. The private sector is also trying, but when you look at government schools, there is so much to be done,” Matthew said.

On her part, the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board’s Strategic Planning and ICT Officer, Stella Atukomi, emphasised the importance of integrating accurate data into school growth strategies. “Before you plan, you need information, and that information is key to decision-making in the state,” Atukomi said.

Sunday Jaja, NAPPS Rivers State Chairman, emphasised the importance for school leaders to adapt swiftly to emerging trends, especially with the upcoming Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for WAEC. “This is not a time for school owners to relax. Today, WAEC is going CBT, and that is why NAPPS is partnering with CloudNotte to see how we can scale in this business,” Jaja said.