Education must be data driven to remain relevant – Stakeholders

The stakeholders who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on the communique issued by the Institute of  Educational Leadership Practitioners of Nigeria (IELPN) after its two-day annual conference- “Edu TECH 2022”,  stressed the infusion of data in the education system.

The conference, with the theme “Educational Technology Accessibility and Equity in Teaching and Learning”, exposed the participants to the use of devices and data application to advance teaching and learning.

The communique, signed by IELPN Director, Dr Olufunmi Olusa, projected an all inclusive education system through technology to advance the country’s course in every facet.

Speaking on the institute’s resolution, lead paper presenter at the event, Mr Jide Awe, said that a technology and data driven education system was the way forward.

Jide, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Engineer, who doubles as the Lead Consultant, Jidaw System, said that, it was possible to generate data; but it’s ultilisation was the problem.

According to him with big data, whatever that is being done in the education system can be captured to support innovative teaching and learning that can improve the nation’s human capital fortunes.

“Our educational curriculum should be refashioned in such a way that the use of information communication technology should be the driver to aid the outcome of the system global competitive.

“Accessibility to devices and data should be a priority for both the government and private organisation’s that depend on the outcome of the system to advance their course,” he said.

The ICT expert decried the analog posture of some education administrators, tasked teachers to shape in with the subsisting technology teaching aids or shape out of the system.

Also speaking on the resolution, a Fellow of the institute and ICT expert Mr Anthony Ororho, said that, technology espoused pupils and student’s critical and creative thinking.

Ororho, defined technology as the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes especially in the industry, stressed the need for schools to be ICT savvy.

He tasked teachers to use technology to explore the vast, but exciting teaching methods that could captivate students to show interest in various fields beneficial to the society.

EduTECH, a concept of the IELPN, is inclined toward infusing technology into education, through its campaigns for technology accessibility to all in the country.