By Sarah Domozu, The Sight News
Abuja-In a bid to boost the use of Information and Communication Technology(ICT) in the education sector, the Federal Ministry of Education, has on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oracle Academy.
The MoU, is expected to see to the training of at least 1.5 million secondary school children, as well as 4,000 educators to guide the children, in order to place Nigeria among digitized countries.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education, Arch Sonny Echono, expressed delight that the partnership is on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Education, which he said is a critical area that must be addressed if Nigerian youths must compete with the 21st century knowledge-driven economy.
He further said, that ICT has become the driver of competitiveness in the world today. “Therefore, the Nigeria Government believes that Nigeria’s Education system must prepare it’s learners for the demand of the 21st century.
“In order to demonstrate Government’s commitment in that regard, the ministry has developed and is implementing the ministerial strategic plan (MSP) for the Education sector which has ICT in Eduction as one of its pillars. The ministry has also reviewed the National policy on ICT in Education and developed the national guideline for its implementation”, he said.
Echono noted, that there are so many challenges which includes; dearth of textbooks and other instructional materials, inadequate teacher training and support leading to poor quality of teachers, dearth of qualified technical teachers, dilapidated and inadequate classrooms, lack of tools and equipment for technical and vocational education and so many others.
He stressed that the attainment of the ministry’s goal therefore requires effective collaboration from public and private sectors within and outside the the country,adding that the traditional budgeting by Government can not fund Education.
He further stated, that this collaboration with Oracle Software Nigeria limited is indicative of Government’s readiness to work with well-meaning Nigeria’s and other development partners to achieve its set goal.
The Permanent Secretary therefore appreciated the Oracle Academy and promised to always work together to bring this project to accomplishment.
On his part, the Managing Director of Oracle Academy, Mr. Sani Adebayo, said that it is a great privilege to work with the Federal Ministry of Education to accomplish their goal of training at least 1,500,000 secondary school children and also 4,000 Educators who will guide the children.
He remarked that it is the utmost desire of Oracle Academy, to see Nigeria compete with the developed countries in terms of being digital.
Image credit: Educate Nigeria
