Get Guardian on GoogleTaraba State has joined 25 other states across Nigeria in launching the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP), a digital learning platform designed to provide free, equitable and flexible access to quality educational resources for students and teachers.
The initiative, launched on Wednesday in Jalingo, is expected to strengthen digital education, bridge learning gaps and provide alternative learning opportunities, particularly for children in vulnerable and underserved communities.
The Nigeria Learning Passport, as gathered by The Guardian, was developed by the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) in partnership with Microsoft, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
Speaking at the launch, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, represented by Education Officer Raphael Aiyedipe, described the initiative as a significant step towards ensuring inclusive and equitable access to quality education.
She explained that the platform emerged following the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the education of about 1.6 billion learners worldwide.
According to her, since its national rollout in March 2022, the platform has helped millions of children continue learning, recover missed lessons and access additional educational opportunities.
She added that it also provides teachers with digital tools to improve classroom instruction and monitor students’ academic progress.
Dr. Rafique commended the Taraba state government for its educational reforms, including free and compulsory basic and secondary education, provision of learning materials, prohibition of illegal school fees and efforts to increase enrolment.
She acknowledged the contributions of Microsoft, GPE, Airtel, IHS Towers and TECNO, particularly Airtel’s support for data-free access to the platform for its subscribers.
Representing governor Agbu Kefas, the Head of Service, Dr. Ahmed Kara, described the launch as a major milestone in the administration’s commitment to accessible, affordable and inclusive education.
He said the platform would provide flexible learning opportunities for children affected by insecurity, displacement and other circumstances that disrupt conventional schooling.
Kara reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting innovative educational programmes that would transform the state’s education sector and prepare young people for the demands of the modern world.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, said the introduction of the platform followed sustained engagements and collaboration with UNICEF.
Dr. Godwin said the platform would enable students to access quality educational materials beyond the classroom while developing digital literacy and independent learning skills, especially in communities affected by insecurity, communal conflicts, flooding and displacement.
She disclosed that the Nigeria Learning Passport had reached over 12 million learners nationwide, while expressing satisfaction that Taraba had joined the growing number of participating states.
The commissioner further revealed that Airtel Nigeria had supported the installation of 50 internet routers in selected public primary and secondary schools across the state to improve connectivity and access to digital learning resources.
She urged teachers, school administrators, parents and other stakeholders to embrace the initiative, ensure proper maintenance of the facilities and promote effective utilisation of the platform to achieve its objectives.
Dr. Godwin stressed that the future of education was increasingly technology-driven, describing the initiative as an investment in children’s future through improved access to knowledge, digital skills and continuous learning opportunities.
