13 March 2014, Lagos – Oando Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation, has launched a new Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centre at Archbishop Taylor Primary School in Victoria Island, Lagos, and is partnering with the U.S. State Department’s Global Partnership Initiative, LIONS@FRICA, CoderDojo and the Hello World Foundation to introduce coding to Oando adopted schools.
Established to support government in meeting the Millennium Development Goals, in particular the second goal – achievement of universal primary education by 2015, the thrust of Oando Foundation’s intervention involves identifying, adopting and renovating dilapidated public schools and improving the quality of learning nationwide; thereby creating model institutions for children.
One of its key components is ensuring each school is equipped with an ICT class to enhance the learning capabilities of pupils.
The pilot centre, which boasts of desktop computers, laptop, projector, printer, TV and DVD player and is powered by solar energy, will enhance the learning capabilities of pupils while facilitating their exposure to computer education and other technology as they connect with the rest of the world via the use of the internet.
In her welcome address, the Director, Oando Foundation, Ms Tokunboh Durosaro, said “technology is set to be the preferred way of learning in the future and it is estimated that 95 per cent of the workforce in coming years will require ICT skills.
“At Oando Foundation, we realise the importance of technology being introduced at a very early age and how it can be used to improve education. Therefore, we plan to equip all our adopted schools with ICT facilities, enrich the ICT curriculum in schools by introducing coding and training the teachers on the use of ICT.”
To further boost the impact of the ICT Centre, Oando Foundation with her partners have launched a new initiative called AfriCoderDojo to teach 21st Century computer coding skills to students between seven and 17 years old.
The partnership is based on the global CoderDojo scheme and relies on a volunteer network of implementers and mentors to teach youth the basics of coding.
“What’s so exciting about this partnership is that it promotes hands-on, world-class coding skills to Africa’s next generation of innovators,” said Andrew O’Brien, Special Representative of the Global Partnership Initiative at the U.S. Department of State.
– Vanguard