The Kwara State Government has launched a groundbreaking Coding and Digital Literacy training program across 50 public primary and junior secondary schools.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital and Innovation, Mr. Ishola Kayode, aims to equip students with essential technological skills, ensuring their competitiveness in the digital age.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s Senior Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, emphasized the significance of embracing the digital revolution to prepare Kwara’s children for the future.
“We are now faced with the reality of the digital revolution. Today marks the start of the digital literacy training in 50 Kwara schools. We hope to lay the foundation for a digital society, ensuring Kwara’s children are not left behind globally,” Salau stated.
The pilot phase of the initiative will impact over 150 students per school, with institutions such as Bishop’s Smith Junior Secondary School, Ilorin Grammar School, and Sheikh Alimi L.G.E.A Primary School among the selected beneficiaries. Mr. Ishola highlighted the program’s goal of empowering students to use technology for problem-solving.
“It’s crucial they become digitally literate to solve community problems using technology. Without this knowledge, solving problems is impossible,” he explained.
The selection process ensured a balanced representation, with 15 schools from Kwara Central, 13 from the North, and 22 from the South. Mr. Ishola also confirmed that the program would undergo a data-driven assessment to determine its expansion in future phases.
Mrs. Akanbi Janet Ayoola, Principal of Bishop Smith College (Junior Session), lauded the initiative as a vital step in preparing students for the era of technology and artificial intelligence.
Students, including Opadili Boluwatife and Akinola Abdulrahman, expressed their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, pledging to maximize the benefits of the training.
