By Omoruyi Patricia Osayomore
In recent times, Edo State has been on the front burner for its innovations and achievements in the education sector, particularly in Basic Education. To consolidate on the gains garnered from the achievements of the Basic Education sub-sector reforms, Edo state partnered with UNICEF to pilot the Nigerian Learning Passport in 40 secondary schools; which is first of its kind in Nigeria.
This was unveiled at the Samuel Ogbemudia College in Benin City during the Go Live event of the EdoBEST 2.0 in September 2022.
As a result of this partnership, the State’s Ministry of Education has finalized plans to expand the pilot of digital learning to 150 out of the 295 secondary schools in the State, in the first phase. About 2000 tablets, projectors, digital Boards and editing software are to be distributed to both urban and rural schools.
To support digital learning, several computer laboratories which have been moribund, some as far back as 2014, have been restored.
Executive Principals and teachers of secondary schools and technical colleges, as part of preparations for the resumption of the second term on Monday 9th January, 2023, have been trained on the implementation of the Nigerian Learning Passport.
The Edo State scripted lessons prepared by indigenous teachers across the State are to be uploaded on the tablets to ease access to academic contents by all stakeholders. The development would enhance the creation of academic contents for students’ at-home-lessons, which would cater for their academic needs even after school
hours, thus making learning more interactive and interesting.
By all standards, Edo State is the first and the only State in Nigeria currently working with UNICEF to deploy technology in administering secondary and technical education. Lessons learned and expertise gained will be transferred to basic education which is a core mandate of UNICEF.
Also, as part of the technological advancement in the State’s Secondary School system, the 2022 first term results were sent to parents electronically, thereby ensuring accountability at multiple levels. The Ministry has also resolved, in the first phase, to equip some schools in Edo with digital libraries, among which are; Anglican Girls School, Idia College and Oguola College, in order to afford students access to E-Learning.
