By Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Bauchi state Government to in...
By Khalid Idris Doya, Bauchi
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Bauchi state Government to invest more in digital technology to enhance basic education and fully leverage the Digital Learning Program under the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP).
The UN agency emphasised the need for providing tablets, routers, internet access, and other essential tools to ensure seamless digital learning for students and teachers, ultimately improving education outcomes in the state.
The UNICEF Education Specialist, Bauchi Field Office, Abdulrahman Ado made the call during a one-day media dialogue to Celebrate the 2025 International Day of Education held in Toro local government area of Bauchi state yesterday.
He urged the government to establish a monitoring system to ensure that the provided gadgets are being used effectively and students are receiving quality digital education.
He stated that, with UNICEF's support, 55 schools, including integrated Quranic schools, have been equipped with digital tools, saying that considering the total number of schools in Bauchi State, this number is insufficient.
“For each ward, only 22 tablets were provided, we have a school that has over 5,000 students. Are 22 tablets enough?" he questioned and he emphasised the need for greater government commitment in allocating resources to fully implement the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) for improving education.
Ado added that the procurement of tablets, routers, projectors, and access to the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) are essential tools for developing local educational content. NLP Launched in Bauchi in 2022 aims to leverage digital technology to improve learning outcomes in the state.
He further stated that UNICEF provided the gadgets to establish an NLP studio, allowing Bauchi State teachers to develop their own learning content.
Abdulrahman Ado said, “We are pleased, on behalf of UNICEF, to see how the government can support the creation of a learning studio to establish the NLP studio. However, considering the number of tablets, routers, and projectors we've provided, it is not enough given the large number of schools and learners in Bauchi. We are calling on the government to procure additional tablets and gadgets so that we can reach more students and enhance educational access across the state.”
He emphasized the need for the Bauchi State Government to recruit new teachers, “We are calling on the government to please use the Teacher Management Information System (TMIS) in recruiting these teachers that have been approved by the government. We need to identify the people that will supply the platform with the data which are teachers.”
He also called on the government to provide training for teachers and headteachers, noting that people at the grassroots level contribute valuable information through the tablet installation dashboard. He assured that UNICEF will soon train local governments and state index officers.
He also urged the state government to prioritize school security to protect IT infrastructure. “We are providing tablets and other gadgets, but do we have the necessary electricity in schools to charge these devices? Do we have adequate security in place? The goal is not for teachers to take these tablets home but to keep them in schools for educational use.”
“However, due to insecurity, they have been take them home. We need assurance that the security is in place to allow these tablets to be used in schools, not for personal use. We are calling on the government to ensure the security of schools so that all equipment can be utilised effectively within the school environment.”
The Education Specialist urged the Bauchi State Government to take full ownership of the learning gadgets, while also reminding the benefiting communities that these gadgets belong to them, not to UNICEF.
Also speaking, the Director Planning Research and Statistics, Bauchi state Ministry of Education, Haj. Ai'shatu Aminu, stated that the main challenges in using the NLP program in schools in the state include the limited number of tablets, insufficient power sources, and issues with data availability.
She disclosed that the program has distributed 1,110 tablets across 55 primary and junior secondary schools, 15 integrated Quranic schools, and 40 conventional schools, with each institution receiving 22 tablets and other gadgets.
While presenting a paper on the gaps in digital learning, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at SUBEB, Builder Adamu Y. Abdullahi, highlighted several challenges in integrating technology into basic education.
"We face infrastructure gaps, including a lack of accessible facilities. The continent's infrastructure challenges are significant, such as the absence of reliable internet, limited mobility in remote areas, and a shortage of devices like computers and tablets for both students and teachers."
"Additionally, many teachers and parents lack the skills to use digital tools effectively. There is a clear digital divide between those with access to technology and those without."
He emphasised that digital technology has the potential to improve access to quality education, enhance learning outcomes, and better prepare students for the future.
Malam Yakubu Aminu Gayawa, Principal of Junior Government Secondary School Magama, stated that the NLP program has led to an increase in student enrollment, saying that with over 900 students in the school benefited.
He expressed his gratitude to UNICEF and the Bauchi government for introducing Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP).
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