By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Airtel Africa Foundation are strengthening digital inclusion in Nigeria by means of a partnership offering college students with free entry to digital studying sources.
Dr Rownak Khan, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nigeria Office, mentioned the initiative helps college students purchase digital abilities and entry instructional sources wanted for tutorial improvement and future employment.
Khan spoke throughout a go to to Government Senior Secondary School, Agege, taking part within the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) initiative, which offers digital instructional content material developed to assist educating and studying.
She recommended the Federal and Lagos State Ministries of Education and Airtel for supporting the initiative, notably by means of zero-rating, which allows college students to entry the platform with out knowledge expenses.
According to her, she is most grateful to Airtel for his or her partnership.
“Airtel has supported us with zero-rating, giving students airtime without any cost,” she mentioned.
Khan mentioned the great initiative introduced collectively stakeholders and technical assist to develop studying alternatives, including that the partnership had reached greater than 1,600 faculties throughout 23 states.
She mentioned the initiative started in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, when faculty closures disrupted classroom studying, prompting UNICEF to introduce the NLP to maintain instructional entry.
The UNICEF official disclosed that thousands and thousands of youngsters have been reached by means of the initiative, expressing hope that continued collaboration with the federal government will prolong its advantages to extra learners.
Similarly, Esi Prah, Head of Programmes, Airtel Africa Foundation, mentioned digital inclusion stays central to the muse’s dedication to bettering studying outcomes and guaranteeing African youth aren’t left behind.
Prah mentioned the muse is working with UNICEF and the Nigerian authorities to advertise entry to the NLP, which incorporates instructional content material developed for college students.
She mentioned the zero-rated platform allows learners to entry instructional sources freed from cost, whereas encouraging wider consciousness to succeed in younger folks in underserved communities throughout Nigeria.
Prah expressed satisfaction with the participation of ladies in digital studying, noting that the initiative gives them alternative to develop abilities and profit from technological developments.
Meanwhile, Polatose Adjola, a pupil at Government Senior College, Agege, mentioned the platform has improved her research by offering explanations, workouts and classwork for tough topics.
Adjola, the college’s head woman, mentioned she was in a position to revisit classes after faculty to grasp difficult matters, describing the platform as instrumental to her educational efficiency.
She thanked the Lagos State Government, schooling authorities, UNICEF, Airtel and different companions for supporting college students, pledging that learners will maximise the chance to enhance their educational efficiency.
Other faculty visited was the Yaba College of Technology. (NAN)
MIL/YAF
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Edited by Yetunde Fatungase
