A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Prikkle Academy in Nigeria and Rwanda have trained 15 Nigerian primary school teachers and one Rwandan in digital education with focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital tools and creative teaching methods to address classroom challenges.

The inaugural Digital SPARKS Teacher Fellowship was concluded with a virtual graduation ceremony last weekend.

The eight sessions programme focused on practical, technology-supported learning.

According to the organisers, the programme equipped participating primary school teachers to explore innovative approaches to teaching using available knowledge, local resources and digital technologies, with emphasis on developing solutions to everyday classroom challenges.

Speaking at the ceremony, the chief listener of Prikkle Academy, Fasoranti Damilola, urged the graduands to translate the knowledge gained into practical classroom activities and sustain collaboration through experience-sharing and the development of solutions to common educational problems.

In his keynote address, Chris Clement Igiraneza challenged teachers to “nurture creativity, curiosity and critical thinking among learners,” stressing the need to recognise children’s potential regardless of technological limitations.

He also urged educators to embrace AI responsibly and not allow technology to displace human creativity and critical thinking in the learning process.

The fellowship explored practical initiatives, including Mini-Makerspaces, Digital Citizenship projects, Code Clubs and teacher-developed AI solutions intended to improve teaching and learning.

The cohort’s valedictorian, Nelson Nayituriki, highlighted the value of cross-border learning between Nigerian and Rwandan educators, describing AI-supported storybooks as a way of making classroom experiences more engaging.

To sustain the programme beyond graduation, Prikkle Academy introduced an alumni initiative to promote continued peer learning, collaboration and school-level innovation among the participants.

The organisation acknowledged the contributions of facilitators Loveness Mahwire, Longgarves Dibondo, Adeyinka Kareem and Darren B., as well as participating school communities and the programme team.

Founded in 2016 and based in Afon, Kwara State, Prikkle Academy is a nonprofit organisation focused on practical, community-driven education and youth development.

The fellowship forms part of its efforts to help educators apply creativity, local resources and technology to learning challenges.