By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Airtel Africa Foundation are strengthening digital inclusion in Nigeria by way 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 academic sources wanted for educational 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 academic content material developed to assist educating and studying.
She counseled the Federal and Lagos State Ministries of Education and Airtel for supporting the initiative, notably by way of zero-rating, which permits college students to entry the platform with out information 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 excellent initiative introduced collectively stakeholders and technical assist to broaden 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 college closures disrupted classroom studying, prompting UNICEF to introduce the NLP to maintain academic entry.
The UNICEF official disclosed that thousands and thousands of youngsters have been reached by way 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 are usually not left behind.
Prah mentioned the muse is working with UNICEF and the Nigerian authorities to advertise entry to the NLP, which accommodates academic content material developed for college kids.
She mentioned the zero-rated platform permits learners to entry academic sources freed from cost, whereas encouraging wider consciousness to achieve younger folks in underserved communities throughout Nigeria.
Prah expressed satisfaction with the participation of ladies in digital studying, noting that the initiative presents them alternative to develop abilities and profit from technological developments.
Meanwhile, Polatose Adjola, a scholar at Government Senior College, Agege, mentioned the platform has improved her research by offering explanations, workouts and classwork for troublesome topics.
Adjola, the varsity’s head woman, mentioned she was capable of revisit classes after college 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 college visited was the Yaba College of Technology. (NAN)
MIL/YAF
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Edited by Yetunde Fatungase
