By Omoruyi Patricia Osayomore
In a bid to enhance learning outcomes and engage pupils and students during the school holidays, the Edo State Ministry of Education and the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (EdoSUBEB) have commenced the EdoBEST and the EdoBEST 2.0 “@ Home Lessons” program for 2022 in the State.
EdoBEST at Home program is an online learning platform that provides pupils and students at the basic level with lessons and teachers’ support during the holidays to get them engaged with activities that can stimulate their minds, while EdoBEST 2.0 @ Home program is for students in senior secondary schools to get similar online learning support.
The holiday program is organized against the backdrop of the commitment by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to consolidate on the academic fortunes of the State, in view of the enviable first position the State occupies in the current ranking of the West Africa Examinations Council of students who scored a minimum of five credits, including Mathematics and English Language.
The holiday program parades multiple learning channels to aid students at home based on the same child-centered and science-based approach. It enables pupils and students to get prepared ahead of schools’ resumption.
A part of the online classes is accessed on WhatsApp through the classroom links sent to their phones by clicking on “Edo SUBEB”. The pupils and students are directed to the links for the WhatsApp virtual classrooms where unlimited access to learning materials and teachers are guaranteed. Those in charge of the virtual classrooms, monitoring progress and providing lessons to pupils and students are efficient teachers.
The holidays’ WhatsApp classes also have multiple hours of interactive audio lessons, mobile interactive quizzes for every child’s age, story books that are age-appropriate, teacher-student virtual interactive session and activity packets for self-study.
The Board has also urged parents to assist their children in embracing the home lessons package while they are at home within the holiday period.
These packages are bridging the contact and time gaps between teachers and the learners, as well as ensuring they have access to such an array of resources that will be beneficial to their development within and after the holidays.
