Harboursandport.com: Ile-Ife - In view of the COVID-19 pandemic that slowed down teaching and learning in the country’s educational institutions, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, has tasked relevant stakeholders in the education ecosystem on the need to upgrade information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in schools across the country.
 |
| L-R: Olumuyiwa Akande, Group Head, Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group; Prof. Bola Omoteso, Dean, Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University; Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede, Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University and Bode Ojeniyi, Group Executive Director, SIFAX Group during the 5th International Conference on Education organised by the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University with the theme- COVID-19 and Emerging Issues in Education held at the OAU Campus, Ile-Ife. |
Afolabi made this call while delivering the keynote address at the just 5th Annual International Conference of the Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife with the theme “COVID-19 and the Emerging Issues in Education”.
A statement by the Head, Corporate Affairs of Sifax Group, Muyiwa Akande noted that Afolabi, who was represented by Mr.
Bode Ojeniyi, Group Executive Director, said such an upgrade would provide
unhindered access to quality education to all students, irrespective of their
socio-economic status, especially during unforeseen circumstances.
He said: “The COVID-19 has exposed
the inadequacies in our educational sector, as teaching and learning were
affected during the lockdown and post-COVID 19. There is a need for a “state of
emergency” to be declared in the education sector in Nigeria, particularly in
the public institutions, towards the upgrade of the entire educational
infrastructure with particular emphasis on ICT equipment and skills re-tooling
in schools that will support virtual teaching and learning.
“The government apart from coming up with
enabling policies to support private-sector-led initiatives, must also consider
setting aside “special funds” through any or all of its development agencies to
be dedicated to the development of the educational sector technology
infrastructure upgrade and personnel training/teaching faculties skills
upgrade.”
Afolabi also called on all
stakeholders in the sector, including parents, alumni, alumni associations,
wealthy private individuals, philanthropists, and corporate organizations to
lend a hand in the transition of the educational sector to a 21st century
compliant one which is driven largely by technology.
Earlier, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede,
the institution’s Vice-Chancellor commended Dr. Taiwo Afolabi and SIFAX Group
for its numerous support and interventions in the education sector, adding that
its financial support for its Faculty of Education and other faculties in the
school is well appreciated.
Prof Bola Omotesho, Dean, Faculty of Education, lauded Dr. Taiwo Afolabi for his support towards the international conference and further solicited more assistance to reposition the faculty for improved teaching and research.
No comments:
Post a Comment