Group to equip 14 schools with robotic kits
By Diana Omueza
A group, PanAfricare Nigeria, says it will equip 14 underserved schools in six states with high-tech toolkits to encourage Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Mr Patrick Adah, the Country Director, PanAfricare Nigeria, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Adah said that the initiative to equip underserved schools was part of its organisation’s newly unveiled “Innovation, STEM, and Partnerships for Inclusive and Relevant Education (INSPIRE) project’’.
“The INSPIRE Box is a high-tech toolkit equipped with 3D printers, robotics kits, laptops, virtual reality headsets, coding software, merge cubes, and lab equipment.
“It is designed to bring interactive STEM learning to schools that have historically lacked such resources.
“The project will be implemented in 14 underserved schools in Abia, Bauchi, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
He said that in addition to the toolkit distribution, there would be teachers training in modern STEM methodologies, mentorship programmes, and STEM competitions.
These, he said, align with Nigeria’s Education Sector Renewal Initiative and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, 9, 10, and 17.
Adah said that STEM education would boost healthy youthful curiosity and innovation and re-image students’ classroom learning.
He also said that there would be a deliberate focus on gender inclusion and accessibility with more than 65 per cent of the kits reserved for girls and three per cent for students with disabilities.
He commended the remarkable performances of Nigerian students in international STEM competitions recently.
“Government Secondary School, Garki, won the prestigious INSPIRE award, earning it a place at the World Robotics Championship in Houston, Texas.
“Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, received the Innovation Project Award, qualifying it for the Open Africa Championship in South Africa.
“Government Science Technical College, Garki, secured the Winning Alliance Award, also granting it participation in the World Robotics Championship in Houston,” he said.
Adah said that the outstanding achievements of young innovators in tech challenges in Nigeria should be consolidated by the government and stakeholders.
He appreciated ExxonMobil Foundation for its long-standing support in equipping young individuals with modern learning tools and mentorship.
He also highlighted the need for more sponsorship, partnerships and collaborations to sustain the empowerment of schools and students with the right equipment to enhance STEM prowess. (NAN)
Edited by Fatima Sule Abdullahi/Kadiri Abdulrahman
Published By
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Editor/Assistant Chief Correspondent,
FCT Correspondent,
NAN Abuja.
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