TMCnet News
Making Learning a Rewarding Experience(AllAfrica Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) As part of the annual staff volunteerism activities, which is the critical component of the 21 Days of Y'ello Care initiative by telecommunications company, MTN, its staff visited over 100 schools to make learning fun and most rewarding experience for students. Among the standout organizations driving change in the education sector in Nigeria is MTN, which has long set aside one percent of its annual profit to invest in corporate social investments schemes including education. Recently, the leading telecommunications company demonstrated its commitment to revamping and growing Nigeria's education when it implemented its annual 21 Days of Y'ello Care, a staff volunteerism campaign, in which it mobilized both material and human capital from within the organization to invest in communities where it operates across the world. In Nigeria, it was no different as the exercise was marked with different activities focusing on raising the quality of education across many states of the federation. In the 2014 edition of 21 Days of Y'ello Care, special attention was paid to the role of information and communications technology (ICT) in enhancing the quality of education and empowering students with up-to-date knowledge and information that will place them at the same level to compete with their peers from other parts of the world. This ties in nicely with the Federal Government's policy with regard to information and communications technology in the education sector. In the National Policy on Education (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004), the critical role of ICT in the modern world was highlighted. ICT was subsequently integrated into Nigeria's education curriculum. To actualize the goal of integrating ICT into the education system, governments were tasked to provide basic infrastructure and training at the primary school level. At the junior secondary school level, computer education was made a pre-vocational elective, and is a vocational elective at the senior secondary level. The purpose of Internet access in schools is to raise educational standards and support the professional work of staff. Access to the Internet is not just a necessary tool for teachers but also an entitlement for students. As part of the annual staff volunteerism activities which is the critical component of the 21 Days of Y'ello Care initiative, MTN staff visited over 100 schools presenting computers that are equipped with Education Bundle, specially designed to make learning fun and most rewarding experience for students. The computers come pre-loaded with rich educational content designed for students from nursery to senior secondary, to enable them learn and explore the world through the internet: study mathematics using more graphical examples, enhance the study of English and science subjects, explore the world with the rich Encyclopedia Britannica alongside educative games and other learning tools. The pre-loaded computers are also considered great aids for teachers, as they would no longer have to teach in the abstract as ready examples in clear and easy-to-understand graphics are made available. The Economic Commission for Africa has indicated that the ability to access and use information is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for development. Unfortunately, many developing counties, especially in Africa, are still low in ICT application and use. Computers with Internet access will help to plug this gap. Pre-school, elementary, secondary and vocational schools are regarded as the building blocks of society's education system, a situation that makes it imperative for such areas to be given greater attention. In 1999, the Federal Government introduced the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme aimed at providing access to quality basic education throughout Nigeria. The programme is expected to provide free and compulsory uninterrupted nine years of Primary and Junior Secondary School education to children between the ages of seven to 17 throughout the country. Adequate and quality education is essentially important for students at the elementary and secondary levels as it will help to imbue in the students a high level of scholarly drive preparatory to going for further studies. People who are at least prepared to face the rigours of university education will consequently populate tertiary institutions. Unique initiatives such as investments in ICT facilities in primary and secondary education will go a long way in preparing the students for higher education. Each school visited by staff of MTN became beneficiaries of computers equipped with internet access and educational content, which will hopefully lead to a more conducive and engaging learning environment for thousands of students who otherwise would not have had access to the internet. Projectors and white boards were also donated to schools to enable teachers bring subjects to life in the classrooms. Digitally equipped classrooms were set up and an online learning hub called Y'ello Tutor was made available to the schools. It is now accessible to thousands of students across the country. The Y'ello Tutor portal has various e-learning materials and digital tutorials, which have been aggregated for the benefit of both teachers and pupils. Established in 2007, 21 Days of Y'ello Care is a platform for MTN employees to directly contribute to improving the quality of life in the communities where they live and work. The annual 21-day long staff volunteerism campaign involves every employee of the company partaking in community-building projects nationwide. This year, the focus was on education with the theme, Education in the Digital World. This year's edition saw staff of MTN Nigeria engage in a number of activities aimed at promoting an environment conducive for learning as well as draw attention to the fundamental role of education in the development of the nation. Reiterating MTN Nigeria's commitment to giving back to communities in which it operates, Corporate Services Executive, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, described education as a vital tool for social and economic development. "Through the programme, MTN has contributed towards improving educational standards, providing an enabling environment for learning and enhancing the pivotal role of education in the development of the nation. Access to the Internet and education will place a number of pupils on the same platform as their counterparts in other developed countries, helping to ensure that they do not suffer learning disadvantages even though they live in a developing country," he said. Now, these students can gain access to information pertaining to any subject and any geographical location. Communication and writing skills will also be enhanced, thereby improving skills related to critical thinking and problem solving among the students. They have access to worldwide educational resources, and information exchange between students and their peers worldwide, discussion with experts in many fields for students and staff who also have access to educational materials and good curriculum practice. With this initiative and others aimed at bridging the investment gap in the education sector, the sector will be better placed to produce people who will contribute to the socio-economic development of the country. Copyright This Day. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). |