IMSUBEB, UBEC flag off digitalisation of Basic Schools in Imo

IMSUBEB, UBEC flag off digitalisation of Basic  Schools in Imo
......distribute 30 interactive learning smart boards, 180 learning tablets to six pilot schools, 135 tablets to 27 LGA education authorities, other digital accessories 

By Rozzita Iwunwa

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The  Imo State  Universal Basic Education Board(IMSUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission(UBEC), has officially flagged off the  digitalization of Basic schools in Imo.

 Over 30 Interactive smart boards, 180  learning tablets for learners worth over millions of Naira were distributed to six pilot schools,

 while five tablets  were  given to each of the 27 Local Government Area Education Authorities in the State to enhance digital  recording.

Flagging off the  event, at the premises of  IMSUBEB, located along Portharcourt road, Owerri,  Imo State  Commissioner for  Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Bernard T.O Ikegwuoha said the present administration in the State, ably led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, prioritizes Education and  has deemed it fair  and  right to invest in education 

Prof.Ikegwuoha reiterated  Governor Uzodimma's determination to take the education sector in Imo to an enviable height.

The Commissioner who represented Governor Hope Uzodimma during the event, assured  Imo people that before the  end of this administration, alot would be done in terms of construction and  rehabilitation of all the  physical an and digital  infrastructures of the  education system in Imo.

""...last year, the  second  best in WAEC is from Imo state..., last year the second best in jamb is from  Imo state.

Imo state has the  largest  number of proffessors in Nigeria,

Imo state  is the only  State where we have  education as our industry ...

What we are doing is trying to ameliorate what  has gone  wrong for a very very long time....  and so far  you can bear testimonies that the governor is working like one who is in his first tenure""

He defined digitalization exercise as the  replacement of the old and  outdated pattern of teaching and the use of digital teaching tools and  facilities in impacting  knowledge on pupils and students_ a  proccess where classroom is turned into a laboratory he said.

""We have  gone away from memorization to praticalization..

In the  Ministry of Education, we have  digitized virtually every

 thing.

 A ministry where basic  education certificates examination results are viewed and  printed online at the comfort of your home.

We must  teach, inspire and transform without  transformation, we  are back to  the stone age"

Prof. Ikegwuoha maintained that the initiative will bridge the gap between the rural and urban areas 

The Commissioner for Education lauded the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimm, the Executive  Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba and her team, the Executive Chairman of IMSUBEB for the transformational initiative 

He called on  traditional rulers, President Generals and  other stakeholders in the education system to work in synergy to secure and protect the devices.

Earlier, Executive  Chairman of IMSUBEB,  Hon.Chief Chidebere Egboh, (Ozone)said the initiative is in line with the vision and  commitment of Governor Hope Uzodimma administration which he said, recognizes that quality education is the foundation for sustainable development and future prosperity of Imo.

Egboh 

He informed that the aimed at  making teaching more effective, learning more engaging and to  get learners prepared for the digital world.

"Today represents a new dawn for education in Imo State. We are not just distributing technological devices; we are laying the foundation for a modern, innovative and technology-driven basic education system..

As part of the  program, pilot schools will receive electronic interactive boards with  accessories and  tablets while tablets will be provided for  staff across across the 27 Local Government Areas to strengthen administration, monitoring and educational delivery.

Our  teachers remain the  heart of this transformation. Technology  will not replace the  teacher, rather, it will empower the teacher with better tools to  deliver knowledge"

He urged the learners to make good use of the facilities to learn, creat, explore and  develop the  digital  skills required to  compete in today's world and  called upon  local government chairmen, councilors, royal fathers, education secretary, SBMCs, President  Generals, school administrators, teachers, parents and communities to  take ownership, protect and  preserve these facilities.

Egboh reiterated his administrative commitment to work with all stakeholders and  partners to  sustain, monitor and  expand the  digital  transformation across schools in he state.

He lauded Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Commissioner for  Education and other  stakeholders for their support and partnership.

In her address, the  Director  Data, Digital  Platform  and Analytics,  Dr.(Mrs) Vivian  Owunna,said  the event  marked a pivotal  transition in th educational landscape of the State as she pointed out that  Imo has now moved from  traditional instructional  method to an interactive, technology -driven  ecosystem  tailored for the  21st century.

Dr.Owunna said the  initiative is anchored on three critical  pillars designed to elevate teaching quality, operational  performance and  learners  outcome across Imo State.

Owunna informed that     the  100  pilot  schools would soon receive electronic attendance  monitoring  devices adding that more digital facilities are underway for distribution to schools across the State.

"The world has moved from traditional learning style to digital lear style, Imo government cued into that digital learning so that our children will not be left behind digitally"

She  thanked  Governor Hope Uzodimma, for  approving the  innovation and  paying into the intervention fund, and lauded UBEC Executive Secretary Aisha Garba , the Commissioner for Education and the Executive Chairman of IMSUBEB for working tirelessly towards making the initiative a succes.

Six Pilot schools: Government Secondary School Owerri, Eziachi Secondary school Orlu, Power line Primary School Omuma, Oru East, Community Primary School Umuhu Nzu, Ehime Mbano, Akaokwa Model  Primary School, Akaokwa  Ideato, each, received five interactive smart  boards  valued over 7million naira and 30 learning smart boards.

Some  Members of Imo State House of Assembly, IMSUBEB Board member representing Okigwe zone, that of Orlu zone, Board representing Owerri zone,  Traditional rulers, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Dr.Mrs.B.C. Okorie, Education Secretaries, S.A to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Primary and Secondary school, teachers and pupils from schools across the State were present during the event.

 Five  fully  refurbished Vehicles for  monitoring, supervision and other official assignments were given out to various departments by the Executive Chairman of IMSUBEB, Honourable. Chief. Chidiebere Egboh w.