E – learning has been described as a platform that brings engagement,
stimulation and collaboration between students and teachers in order to achieve the primary objective of teaching and learning.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, stated this at a joint field trip by AIRTEL Africa /Nigeria and UNICEF at St. Agnes Primary school, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.
Mr. Alli-Balogun noted that, the world has gone digital and education cannot be left behind and to this end digital teaching and learning process has to be deployed
“We know we’re in digital world right now and we cannot be isolated from the global competitiveness which has to do with the deployment of digital teaching and learning process and that is what we are witnessing today”.
He added that Lagos State Government in support of digital teaching and learning methods has it’s own projects whereby digital methods and contents are being deployment to schools.
The Commissioner said, ” the joint field trip is a collaboration where data is given to some primary schools to enable them have access to the internet, learn contents and the teachers are able to deliver their works effectively.
On the maintenance of the gadgets, Mr. Alli-Balogun stated, ” they are bound to get spoilt and they will be repaired or replaced as soon as possible to continue learning and teaching” .
“The gadgets are not forever, along the line, some will get spoilt and we do repair, replace also that is the sustainability aspect of it, adding that, for the digital education to continue you have to repair and replace at the right time”. Alli- Balogun
The Chief Executive Officer, AIRTEL Africa and Nigeria , Mr Sunil Taldar, noted that, the partnership between his company and UNICEF for the past three years is a very important one as about 360 schools and 600,000 learners have been impacted through the partnership.
Mr Taldar explained that, ” 40% of the population in Africa are below 16 years, that makes education important for the future of the children “.
” The collaboration which is aimed at providing standardized education through the Nigeria Learning Passport, NLP, will be added to the education improvement in Africa and making bigger progress “. he stated
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Chief of Field Office, Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, who described the partnership with the Airtel Africa and Nigeria as one of the most important in the country, stated that, amongst other countries that is implementing the programme, ” Nigeria is doing very well “.
Lafoucriere further identified the importance of connectivity to the internet for learning for children to include, minimizing disruption in their education and ensuring standardization in delivering of quality education, ” adding that 1.8 million learners have been registered on the Nigeria e-learning Passport “.
“1.8 million learners are now registered for e-learning Passport, so it’s very important for children to be connected to the internet to have access to digital learning and to have minimal distraction in their education “.
She noted further, ” This will ensure that we have across the board standardization when it to delivering quality education and we are doing doing, together, UNICEF and Airtel is doing well “.
Representatives from UNICEF, the network provider and members of the Lagos State Education Board graced the occasion.
Julie Ekong