NGO moves to support schools on digital learning in Oyo

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Aid for Rural Education Access Initiative (AREAi), has planned to train students and teachers in Oyo on digital learning.

The students would enjoy learning opportunities using technology-supported, teacher-professional development and digital learning access. Also, while 300 teachers would be provided with tailored training for improved knowledge, attitude and practice, over 60 would be supported with mobile devices to aid their classroom practices.

The initiative, which will last for a period of three years, is an integrated school-to-community intervention aimed at increasing attendance, retention and transition rates of female students through grassroots organising, resources mobilisation and policy advocacy.

Chief Executive Director, AREAi, Gideon Olanrewaju, who disclosed this, yesterday, at the public launch of the scheme at the American Corner, Initiative for Information, Arts and Culture Development in Nigeria (IACD), Jericho, Ibadan, said Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment of 18.37 per cent of the 2022 budget to education demonstrates his commitment to transforming education across all educational levels.

He stated that the objective of ‘Getting Girls Equal’ is to complement the efforts of the state and its leadership to drive a gender-responsive plan that would ensure equitable educational provision for boys and girls.

Olanrewaju said: “Over the next three years, working with the state Ministry of Education, school administrators, community leaders and other key stakeholders across 30 schools in Oyo, Ibadan and Ogbomoso, our efforts will be geared towards enabling 30,000 girls, including boys, ensuring no cultural, societal or traditional barrier will interfere with their educational aspirations and they are better supported in learning by their families or within their communities.”

In his remarks, Senior Programmes Manager, AREAi, Simon Anthony, said the NGO, in the last seven years, had worked with under-resourced schools and marginalised communities, providing technical and infrastructural support to scale learning outcomes and drive tangible academic achievement for poor and vulnerable children, particularly girls and youths, from low-income families.