Govt urges effective use of digital learning techniques

With the rising influence of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in contemporary learning, the need for teachers and indeed school authorities to key into the trend has been stressed. Specifically, teachers at the Federal Government Boys College, Apo, Abuja, have been counseled to make judicious use of the newly launched Samsung Smart School Initiative.

Launched by Samsung Electronics West Africa in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education, the initiative is a mobile education solution designed to provide advanced and interactive classroom experience for learners.

The project is the first of the five to be launched in Nigeria, with others planned for Ogun, Rivers, Delta and Imo states. This will result in a collective 10,000 teachers receiving training as primary beneficiaries, and a further 5,000 students impacted as secondary beneficiaries, over a five-year period.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, said the initiative would no doubt advance teaching and learning in the school especially in the area of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Adamu urged teachers of the benefitting school to make effective use of the facility and improve students learning experience and performance.

He commended the firm for its efforts and contributions towards the development of ICT urging all stakeholders to partner with the ministry to salvage the country’s educational system.

He said, “We are indeed grateful to Samsung for tapping into the goal of the ministry to train quality teachers. We encourage all beneficiaries of this project to take full ownership of the project and let the improved quality of teaching reflect in our students’ results. As ICT becomes more and more entrenched in our lives, it is essential that our students are exposed to it, guided by teachers who can use technology to add real value to the learning experience.”

Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Brovo Kim, explained that the initiative was in furtherance of the Samsung’s commitment to bringing out innovation that would create a better society.
He said, “In line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal to improve education, we believe it is essential to equip teachers with basic computer literacy, as well as the tools they need to use ICTs for curriculum development and more impactful teaching, and the Samsung Smart School for Teachers is an important step in achieving this.”

Principal of the school, Mr. Jonathan Mbaakaa remarked that for relevance in the digital age, teachers must do a lot in the area of ICT knowledge and application, if the teaching profession is to transform to global level of relevance and competitiveness.
“With the help of this Samsung Smart School, I believe we will be well on our way to ensuring that our teachers have the opportunity to easily access quality teaching resources and in return impact our students with quality knowledge,” he added.