In 2023, the Kaduna State Government through the Kaduna AGILE Project made significant strides in enhancing digital literacy among secondary school students in Kaduna State and the program continues to do so. By delivering digital skills training to teachers, renovating computer laboratories, providing solar power solutions, and equipping schools with devices and internet connectivity, the initiative aims to empower students with essential digital skills.
In a statement, Muhammad Sani Aliyu, Digital Skills Lead at Kaduna AGILE Project said the initiative is currently training over 22,000 students across 104 senior secondary schools in the State. In terms of support with equipment, the project has provided 1,250 laptop computers, 5KVA Solar Power Solutions to 100 Schools, 50 Projectors, 50 Projection Screens, and also trained 246 teachers to deliver on this initiative.
The training covers topics from foundational to advanced digital literacy skills in full conformity with the UNESCO Digital Literacy Global Framework (DLGF). The framework covers the following competence areas: information and data literacy; communication and collaboration; digital content creation; safety; problem solving; devices and software operations.
One of the schools that benefited from this initiative is Government Secondary School (GSS) UnguwanBaro in Chikun Local Government Area. The newly renovated computer lab at GSS UnguwanBaro quickly became a vital center for digital learning, giving students access to technology and skills that were previously out of reach.
However, this progress faced a challenge when a severe rainstorm damaged the roof of the renovated computer lab. This could have halted the digital literacy training that was just beginning to make a difference in students’ lives. However, the local community stepped up in an inspiring way.
The School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) which includes members of the community, traditional leaders, parents and teachersof GSS UnguwanBaro demonstrated remarkable commitment by quickly mobilizing resources to repair the damaged roof. The SBMC sourced for funds from within the community to fix the laboratory. Their prompt action, which was motivated by their recognition of the importance of AGILE’s digital literacy program, ensured that students could return to their digital literacy training without a long delay. The School’s SBMC Chairman, Mr. Joseph Sambo, shared that the great passion being shown by the students for the program prompted their resolve to address the issue.
He further added that, “Our school has benefitted tremendously from the AGILE Project. We have been trained and shown how we can mobilize resources from within ourselves to support the education of our children.”
“We have seen the impact of the AGILE digital literacy training on our children, the significant improvement in the performance of our students in the year 2024 JAMB CBT is owed to this training as our children are now able to use computers with a high degree of confidence.”
This initiative by the SBMC of GSS UnguwanBaro underscores an essential element of sustainable development in education: community ownership. When communities take an active role in maintaining and improving school facilities, it contributes to ensuring the long-term success of projects like the Kaduna AGILE digital literacy program. This sense of responsibility and pride in local schools not only supports the sustainability of such projects but also enhances the overall quality of education.
The Kaduna AGILE Project has undoubtedly made a significant impact on students’ lives, however, it is the unwavering support of the community that truly amplifies this impact. By taking ownership of the school’s infrastructure, the SBMC of GSS UnguwanBaro has shown how local involvement and commitment can drive positive change.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the School-Based Management Committee of GSS UnguwanBaro, Chikun LGA, for their dedication and initiative. Their actions have not only preserved the school’s infrastructure but have also reinforced the community’s crucial role in improving education for their children. This collaboration between the Kaduna AGILE Project and the local community-traditional leaders, parents, and teachers,stands as a powerful example of partnership in achieving educational excellence. Faith Bitrus, a student in SS1, also expressed her gratitude to the Project for the provision of computers for practicals, internet facility and power to enable her and her peers become computer literates. Faith further shared her experience,saying that she is now able to use spreadsheets to keep records of her mother’s day to day transactions in the shop. She added that she is also able to browse the internet to do her assignment without any difficulty due to the digital literacy classes she is attending.
WhenFaith was asked what her future ambition is, she responded that her dream is to one day become a software engineer. These girls are being equipped not only to share in the dividends of today’s digital world but also to feel empowered to contribute and advance it.
The Kaduna State Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (Kaduna AGILE Project), is a project being implemented by the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Uba Sani. The key objectives of the Kaduna AGILE Project include;improving secondary education opportunities among adolescent girls, addressing binding constraintsthat prevent girls from accessing and completing secondary education, fostering an enabling environment for girls, and creating safe and accessible learning spaces for students.
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