By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is expanding digital learning and skills development programmes to address school dropout syndrome and youth unemployment across Nigeria.
A UNICEF Education Specialist, Mr Harold Kpojime, gave the assurance on Wednesday on the sidelines of a two-day media dialogue on digital learning, artificial intelligence and skills development for out-of-school children.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event began on Wednesday at Ede in Osun.
It was organised by UNICEF in partnership with the Osun State Ministry of Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Universal Basic Education Commission and Global Partnership for Education, among others.
Kpojime said that recent data showed increasing number of out-of-school children in spite of relatively better educational outcomes in Nigeria’s South-West Geopolitical Zone.
He said that school completion rates declined steadily as learners progressed from primary to junior and senior secondary schools, making teenagers, particularly, vulnerable to dropping out.
“One thing we noticed is that, as learners transition from primary to junior secondary and senior secondary schools, the completion rate reduces significantly.
“UNICEF is focusing attention on factors driving school dropout rates, including poverty, insecurity, early marriage, cultural practices and weak school systems.
“We need to focus on teenagers at the secondary school level because that is where we see the highest number of school dropouts, low completion rates and poor retention,” Kpojime said.
Kpojime said that UNICEF had deployed the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP) and Youth Agency Marketplace (YOMA) platforms nationwide.
“Through YOMA and the NLP, young people can access learning materials, entrepreneurship opportunities and skills development programmes designed to improve future employability,” he said.
According to the educationist, the NLP, which provides curriculum-aligned resources for learners and teachers, is operational in 24 states and has attracted 2.34 million users.
“The platform is all-encompassing because it supports both learners and teachers, recognising the need to continuously re-train and upskill educators,” Kpojime added.
He disclosed that UNICEF and its partners were also strengthening digital access in schools through device distribution and internet connectivity initiatives.
He added, “Our partners have supported teacher training in digital literacy and blended learning and artificial intelligence while helping schools to remain connected through monthly data support.”
According to him, UNICEF, with support from its partners, had ensured connectivity of over 2,300 schools and distributed more than 14,700 tablets nationwide.
While acknowledging that access to devices remains a challenge for many learners, he said that many pupils could access the platforms through parents’ or guardians’ devices.
“Most learners access the platform using devices belonging to their parents or guardians, which highlights the need for expanded digital access nationwide,” he noted.
Kpojime called for stronger collaboration among governments, development partners and other stakeholders, stressing that digital learning remained critical to reducing education and employment gaps.
He expressed the optimism that harnessing digital learning and data-driven solutions will enable Nigeria to bridge education gaps, expand access to quality learning, and create better opportunities for children and youths. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
