In a bid to maintain Technological trend in the Education sector, the ministry of Education has revealed intention to develop a national education technology plan and promised to Train 3, 700 teachers in Digital skills .
The permanent secretary of Education, Sonny Echono made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, during the Edutech summit 2020, organised by the ministry in collaboration with Africa information Technology Exhibition and empowerment initiative (AFRITEX)
With the world gearing toward Information and communication technology, (ICT) Sonny said low illiteracy among teachers must be addressed to prepare students to compete in the global world:
“As we are all aware, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has become the driver of competitiveness in our world today, it has introduced new paradigms in education delivery that had never been envisaged,” Echono stated, also noting emerging instructional practices and emerging trends for teachers and administrators.
He observed the need to address the low ICT-literacy among teachers and embrace current educational pedagogy, saying 3,700 teachers would be trained in digital Skills in the first instance.
Echono who noted that additional 50 thousand teachers would be trained subsequently on ICT, said there is need to periodically review the curriculum to reflect current realities.
“We must evolve strategies to improve research on educational Technology and for the periodic review of the curriculum to reflect current realities. If the education sector in Nigeria must remain relevant in the 21st century, it must adapt educational technology for teaching and learning,” he added.
Echono said the summit which is a step towards the development of a national Educational Technology plan, would also focus on technology integration, engaging instructional practices and emerging trends for teachers and administration “The Agenda also include workshops for teachers and students to keep them abreast of current trends in Educational Technology.” he said
Meanwhile, the minister of Education, Adamu Adams, said the theme of the Summit: “Educational Technology and Its Practical Application” is timely, as it aligns with the current drive by the federal Government towards the attainment of qualitative education for technology and skills acquisition and for self-reliance.
Adamu while stating commitment to ensure qualitative Education for technology revealed policies, strategies and initiatives, some of which include articulation of policies that drive the development and deployment of ICT in education.
The minister while reiterating the importance of of meeting up with the development in ICT, has however called on stakeholders to partner with government in competing in the global village.
“Addressing the above will be a huge challenge but will inevitably create a knowledge society that provides us with comparative advantages in an increasingly competitive global village,” he said.
“Let me urge all stakeholders in education to partner with government towards achieving sustainable development and global competitiveness. “
Gift Wada
