Report by Shindong Bala; Editing by Basirat Memudu
Ahmadu Bello University Zaria has incorporated a digital Learning platform known as Nigeria Learning Passport into it’s curriculum to bridge the learning gaps being witnessed in the educational sector.
The Head of Science Education Department of the University, Professor Jonathan Mari stated this at the Training of first batch of students on the digital platform organized with the support of United Nations Children’s Fund-UNICEF.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital educational platform developed in 2022 by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners.
The platform allow learners and teachers to learn educational skills and enhanced their capabilities in and outside the classroom.
Professor Jonathan Mari explained that the ongoing training of student on the digital platform followed an earlier signing of MOU between the school and UNICEF.
“Right from the time we signed this agreement, we started developing programs and we have been interacting with our students using the software and and digital facilities. I believe with this additional training it will go beyond these students that are here while many that are not into science education will enroll into the NLP. There are 2 courses that we have reviewed and infused the UNICEF technological aspects to teach the students every Thursday and they are always excited coming to gain from that opportunity”.
Professor Jonathan Mari expressed hope that the students will use the knowledge throughout their lifetime to enhance learning in Nigeria.
In a presentation, the Kaduna State Team Lead of the Nigeria Learning Passport project Mr. Phillip Mamman stated that ABU was the first Tertiary Institution to benefit from the training so that graduating students from the university will use the digital knowledge in their prospective schools for teaching.
Mr. Phillip Mamman emphasized that the number of people enrolled on the platform in Africa already stood at 1.8 Million with Kaduna State having 83,000 learners on the platform.
“We are hoping that by the end of this project, every Nigerian child would have an opportunity to have quality education and there will not be any barrier to reading and learning but of course we should know that there are a lot of challenges along the way as such UNICEF is intervening in terms of infrastructure with the provision of about 880 digital tablets to 40 schools in Kaduna State.
“As at last month, Kaduna State has enrolled about 83,000 learners and teachers on the platform while our target for this year is to enroll about 6000 learners and also ensure usage and course completion”.
Participants at the training, Salisu Musheri and Latifat Opeyemi both 400 Levels Students appreciate the School authority and UNICEF for the initiative.
The Nigeria Learning Passport Project brings on board the ability for a learner to sit at the comfort of his home and take a course of choice in any subject from Primary to secondary school and is also beneficial to out of school children and to those that cannot access education.
