Government embraces digital technology to boost adult education

Lagos State Government is set to improve adult literacy education through digital technology and programme on television and radio to boost the sector during the post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Director of the state-owned Agency for Mass Education, Mrs Olukemi Kalesanwo, at a webinar in commemoration of this year’s International Literacy Day, said the COVID-19 crisis is a reminder of the existing gap between policy discourse and reality.

She explained that the annual event was designed to sensitise the public on the need to support adult and youth literacy towards achieving sustainable development Goals [SDGs].

Senior lecturer of Adult Literacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Anyikwa Blessing, appealed to the government and relevant authorities to invest more in digital technology for adult literacy education during the post-COVID-19 era.

She urged the government to increase funds allocated to the agency and promote adult literacy education as the COVID-19 curve flattens.

On his part, a Chief Lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Dr Adejoke Ajayi, stressed the need to bridge the gap between adult learning, the COVID-19 reality crisis, and government policies.

Dr Ajayi recommended more usage of distance learning through radio and television, small group learning in an open space with social distancing and learning, where educated family members teach the non- educated ones at home.