Experts in the education sector have canvassed more financing for Edtech solutions to boost learning and enhance the quality of education in Nigeria.
Speaking at the March edition of Edtech Mondays, an initiative of Co-Creation Hub (CCHUB) and Mastercard Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in information and communications technology (ICT), the Chief Executive Officer, Edupoint, Oscar Obiorah, noted that private investment has helped in expanding the reach of Edtech solutions, subsequently improving education standard.
The engagement session, themed: “Accelerating Edtech financing for equity and access in Nigeria,” was moderated by the programme associate, CCHUB, Abigail Anaza-Mark.
While restating the significance of public-private partnership in the overall success of Edtech financing, Obiorah urged the government to be more involved to achieve the desired results.
Asked what should be done to improve access to Edtech solutions, especially for underserved communities, Obiorah said founders must begin to devise innovations that will accommodate everyone, regardless of class or status.
“Beyond that, education has become more accessible and affordable with financing for Edtech solutions. Also, we are beginning to see Ed-tech start-ups delve into research and development to improve learning outcomes,” he said.
Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, said a lot of resources have been mobilised for the development of Edtech solutions, both before and after COVID-19 globally.
He identified factors such as duplicity of efforts among innovators; lack of scalability to the work, and inadequate research to guarantee monitoring and evaluation outcomes as part of the challenges associated with accessing funds for Edtech solutions in the country.
He urged the government to incentivise the use of technology in its policy framework, saying this would go a long way in making it more practicable.
An educationist, Gbenga Agoye, said there has been growing interest in Edtech solutions as investors are now staking their funds on them. He identified scalability, market potential, efficacy, and infrastructure as critical factors investors consider in determining viability.
While seeking collaboration between the government and founders of tech solutions to guarantee a win-win situation for both parties, Agoye said with an enabling environment and adequate infrastructure, the challenges of access and equity on Edtech financing will be addressed.
