NIGERIA

The Ondo State Government has taken a major step towards transforming learning through technology, with 50 public secondary schools receiving digital equipment and teachers undergoing specialised training.

The initiative is part of the State’s plan to introduce digital education across its secondary schools and equip students with the skills required to thrive in a technology-driven world.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, disclosed this on Friday in Akure during the grand finale of the fourth edition of the Digital Quiz Competition for secondary schools.

The competition was organised by the State Government in collaboration with an Information and Communication Technology firm, Quickens Computer Limited.

Ajibefun said the Government was investing heavily in digital education, adding that a significant number of teachers had already been trained and were expected to pass the knowledge on to their students.

He explained that the training was a continuous exercise designed to prepare schools for the digital transformation of the education system.

“The State Government is investing heavily in digital education, with the training of our teachers and students in preparation for the digitalisation of our education system. The training is a continuous process.

“At least last month, with our technical partners, our ICT teachers in public schools were trained for a whole week on digital education, and this is a continuous exercise. It started last year, and it will continue.

“For the students, when you train the teachers, indirectly you are training the students because the teachers will return to train them,” he said.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, also revealed that no fewer than 50 public secondary schools had received digital equipment from one of the State’s technical partners.

“Digital equipment has been supplied to our educational institutions, particularly secondary schools. About three weeks ago, one of our technical partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, supplied computer equipment to 50 public schools in the State,” he stated.

Speaking on the digital quiz competition, Ajibefun said the initiative was aimed at promoting digital literacy, encouraging academic excellence and preparing students for the demands of the 21st century.

“The world is rapidly evolving into a digital society where knowledge, innovation and technological skills have become indispensable tools for national development. As a government, we recognise that the future belongs to individuals who can effectively leverage technology to solve problems, create opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society.

“The Digital Quiz Competition was conceived to promote digital literacy, stimulate academic excellence, encourage healthy competition among schools and prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

“Through this initiative, we seek to inspire our young learners to embrace technology not merely as consumers but as creators, innovators and future leaders,” he said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Akindele Ige, said the competition was organised to strengthen digital literacy among students.

“The Ondo State Digital Quiz Competition is more than an academic contest; it is a platform for nurturing critical thinking, creativity, innovation and digital literacy among our young learners.

“Through initiatives such as this, we are equipping our young people with the skills and values required to succeed in a technology-driven world,” he said.

Schools that participated in the competition included Fiwasaye Girls’ Secondary School, Akure; Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure; and Greater Tomorrow Secondary School, Arigidi Akoko, among others.