COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT A ONE DAY WEBINAR ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATIONAL SECTOR IN NIGERIA ORGANIZED BY THE CENTRE FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND DEVELOPMENT HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

Given the increasing migration of educational processes online and the imperative to produce a digitally competitive generations of Nigerians, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) on the 10th of March, 2021 held a webinar on Digital Transformation of Educational Sector with theme Creativity and Innovation in the Deployment of ICTs in Schools to Prepare Digital Nigerians for the Digital Economy.

The objective of organizing the webinar was to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to interrogate how ICTs are used in school both for learning and for running the schools, understand the challenges of preparing the upcoming generations and propose pathways for enhancing the deployment of technology to improve learning outcomes.

The webinar was chaired by Professor A. L Tukur, Vice Chancellor, Modibbo Adama University, Yola while the keynote address was delivered by Professor Garba Azare, the Executive Secretary of the National Teacher Institute on the theme ’ “Leading the Digital revolution in Schools”. Two other papers were presented as follows:

1. Ms. Aissata Sow, Country Programs Lead, Nigeria & Digital Economy Lead, MasterCard Foundation on Supporting Creativity and Innovation in Schools: Preparing the next Digital Nitizens

2. Mr. Amos Emma, Chairman/Chief Software Architect for Programos Software Group on Promoting Creativity and Innovation among Schools Children Observations: The participants noted that:

1. Before student’s/pupils learn to share content through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) platforms such as blogs, videos, and photos, they must first be exposed to creativity. Promoting creativity among the students/pupil’s that allow to discover new ideas and process their thoughts in a resourceful and imaginative way 2. Transforming the educational sector will help the students to compete globally with other students

3. There is low political interest by some state governors in the promoting digital access in schools

4. Our schools are not well equipped to adopt to the transformation agenda

5. The rapid evolution of digital is having a significant impact on corporate industries and is serving to provide exciting new opportunities, maximize efficiencies, increase collaboration and reduce costs

6. As the educational sector becomes more competitive, digital transformation is now becoming a necessary means of survival as this new digital world requires educators to adapt and adopt digital technologies, methodologies and mindsets.

7. Proper integration of technology in the learning environment gives children the opportunity to develop social interaction and collaboration.

8. If the schools can be digitally transformed it help the students to be independent even after school because they can use the knowledge they get to empower themselves and others in the society.

Recommendations:

Participants recommend that:

1. The Federal government should mainstream innovation into school’s curriculum to foster better learning outcomes

2. Parents should encourage creativity in children by allowing them to share their creative work and showing appreciation to each child’s unique creative output.

3. ICT policies should be developed at state levels to serve as a roadmap to actualize digital skills needs

4. Mobile network providers should support accessibility in schools by keying to universal service provision principles in addition to their statutory commitment to the Universal Service Provision fund (USPF)

5. There is need to review the present curriculum to further update more digital skills

6. Government both at state and national level should leverage on the capabilities of the present-day technology and continuously stay updated

7. Integrate ICT in teacher recruitment, deployment and retention and train those teachers on digital skills to impart knowledge to the wider students

8. There is need to enroll teachers and educationists in ICT skills training for them to understand the current practices in the education sector

9. Educators to guide children to interact using technology and highlight how this integration forms playful play structures for both the students and their peers

10. Parents and teachers to provide children with opportunities to express their creativity through color, music, dance etc.

Ali Sabo

Communications and Campaigns Officer