The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa has urged State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) to make effective use of the digital learning platforms developed by the Federal Ministry of Education to enhance learning outcomes across the nation.
This formed the basis for discussion at the Federal Ministry of Education/Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Roundtable Convening Meeting on Digital Resources Available to Achieving Learning Outcomes held in Abuja on Tuesday.
Alausa lamented that many schools across the states were not utilising the ministry’s digital education resources, warning that the situation was undermining efforts to improve learning outcomes.
He stated that platforms like the Nigeria Learning Passport, Inspire, Inspire-Live, Ignite, EduRevamp, E-Learn, the Greenfield Learning Management System and virtual classroom solutions were created by the Ministry to support conventional classroom instruction rather than replace teachers.
He also informed that the digital resources provide curriculum-based lessons delivered by some of the country’s best educators and can help address the shortage of qualified teachers, especially in subjects such as Mathematics, English Language, Physics and Chemistry.
The Minister advised that schools experiencing shortages of subject teachers could leverage the platforms to connect students with live or recorded virtual lessons, enabling learners to interact with teachers online and seek clarification where necessary.
“We have so many learning platforms…., they are all available on the Federal Ministry of Education website, open for your use. Just go there, and you can use this to support education in your states. We also have so many platforms available for teachers as well,” he said.
Alausa however expressed concern over the limited integration of technology into basic education, he therefore called on SUBEBs chairmen and state commissioners for education to place greater emphasis on digital learning in their respective states.
“You have a privileged position, being the chairman of SUBEB and being a commissioner for education, to change and direct the way education is being delivered in your various states,” he said.
The minister stressed that Nigeria must urgently adopt technology-driven education to reverse the country’s high level of learning poverty.
“Learning poverty means that by the age of 10, a child cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text. In Nigeria today, three out of every four children are learning poor. That is simply unacceptable. We don’t have a choice. We have to use technology. It is no longer feasible to continue to do things manually. Digital learning is the future, and we must deploy it to every part of the country, including the most rural communities”, he said.
Earlier, UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba maintained that technology had become a critical tool for building an inclusive, resilient and future-ready education system.
Garba disclosed that UBEC has established digital learning centres in primary and junior secondary schools, deployed smart interactive boards, strengthened education data systems and introduced digital monitoring and evaluation platforms.
She also informed that UBEC had inaugurated Digital Champions to spearhead digital transformation within the commission and assist state governments in implementing education technology initiatives.
The UBEC Boss however, maintained that technology alone would not deliver the desired transformation without effective coordination, strategic partnerships, continuous capacity building and the commitment of stakeholders to embrace innovation.
She therefore noted that the roundtable was organised to strengthen collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Education, UBEC, state ministries of education, State Universal Basic Education Boards and development partners to accelerate the adoption of digital learning resources across the nation.
