Twenty public secondary schools in Ekiti State have received internet routers with complimentary data subscriptions for one year to enhance digital learning and improve students’ access to educational resources.
The intervention, sponsored by Focused Team Foundation with funding from UNICEF in partnership with MTN, is aimed at expanding internet connectivity in public schools and bridging knowledge gaps among learners. Presenting the facilities in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, commended the partners for supporting the state government’s efforts to strengthen digital education.
Aderiye said reliable internet connectivity had become essential to modern teaching and learning, noting that the initiative would complement existing digital facilities and provide teachers and students with greater access to research materials, knowledge and other educational resources. She urged the beneficiary schools to use the facilities primarily for teaching, learning and research, while ensuring their proper maintenance.
The Senior Lead, Sales and Trade Department, MTN, Mr Isaiah Akinbaani, said the initiative was designed to make digital and real-life learning experiences more accessible to students across Nigeria. He disclosed that the 20 schools represented the pilot phase of the programme in Ekiti, with plans to expand it to more schools, adding that each beneficiary school received a router with 30GB monthly data initially and 32GB subsequently for one year.
Among the beneficiary schools are Ekiti State Government College, Ikere-Ekiti; Government College, Ado-Ekiti; Gbemisola Olowolafe Memorial Grammar School, Are-Ekiti; Ado Community High School; All Souls Anglican High School; CAC High School; and Corpus Christi College, Ilawe-Ekiti. Also present at the presentation were the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Tope Akomolede, and the AGILE State Coordinator, Mrs Yewande Adesua.
