Expert laments non-inclusion of education in national ICT policy

Professor of Computer Science at the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Prof. Fidelis Ndeh-che has lamented the non-inclusion of education in the country’s 2012 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy, stressing that the country needs to emphasise knowledge-based economy for proper development of the nation.

He made the call at a roundtable on the Optimal Use of ICT to Support Secondary School Education in Northern Nigeria, which was held at Tahir Guest Palace, Hotel, Kano.

The programme was funded by McArthur Foundation and implemented by the Development Research and Training Centre (DRPC),

Ndeh-che observed that in any policy, there was a possibility of realising some lapses during the implementation phase. “It is therefore, part of policy implementation process to now sight some areas that need to be adjusted. And in certain areas, implementors also realise a need for additions of some aspects,” he said.

“It is only when education is included in the policy that the use of ICT in secondary schools, in this context, can record success. So it is therefore very important for the policy makers to understand the critical need for that inclusion, “ said the university teacher.

According to him it was part of the reason that the stakeholders meeting was organised to take a look at sundry obstacles, and also establish the penetration of ICT in secondary schools in Kano and Jigawa states.

While calling on other stakeholders to help in ensuring that that ICT was effectively utilised, the he expressed dismay at the absence of ICT use in secondary schools in the Kano state.