How tutorial centres leverage tech to provide free online classes to students

Tutorial centres across Nigeria are on the lips of students who have leverage on the services provided to excel in the various external examinations through digital technology and various means used to instruct and encourage academic activities.

These centres are perfecting dynamic ways of helping ‘O’ level and ‘A”Level’ students pass the West Africa Examination Council, Joint Admission Matriculation Board, National Examination Council, NABTEB and many other international examinations excellently. Folaranmi Ajayi writes about how Supreme Academy, a tutorial centre in Mushin, Lagos is organising a free online class for her students.

Supreme Academy, located in Mushin, is currently one of the very few educational centres providing free online classes for students preparing for the West African Certificate Examination (WAEC) and Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) despite the harsh economic challenges.

The classes, which are held from Monday to Sunday, cater for over 1000 students and are divided into general and departmental classes. Parents and candidates alike are elated by this gesture, which is helping to bridge the gap in education during these challenging times.

“We accommodate every form of student whether you are attending our tutorial in the morning, evening or not. The online classes are entirely free and the funny thing is that some even prefer the classes to the physical lecture because they learn without the classroom barrier and distractions.

“I am passionate about academic excellence but notwithstanding, I discovered that many parents who are battling with the cash crunch and the current state of our economy will find it difficult to get money to pay for classes. So, I decided to make it free for all as part of Supreme Academy Humanitarian service.” Aregbesola Kolawole, the chief executive officer of Supreme Academy, Mushin, Lagos said.

Supreme as he is fondly called reflected that for years there have been students who don’t have the opportunity to make good results because of a lack of exposure, guidance and thorough lessons.

Aregbesola emphasised that the number of students joining the platform is close to one thousand with over nine hundred and eighty students still counting.

Responding to the class arrangement and participation of students, he disclosed that the classes are divided into general and departmental classes.

“Our general platform is for English, Biology, Mathematics, Economics, and General Knowledge, while science, art and commercial students have a separate platform where they take chemistry, physics, literature, account, and other departmental subjects.”

He stressed that there are over nine teachers on the platform and five administrative and management staff who attend to all enquiries and make learning fun.

Speaking on the issue of digital technology and its impact on education, he maintained that teachers must be equipped with digital technology and must learn how to leverage digital tools to make learning easy and full of fun.

“I am a digitally inclined teacher, I use PowerPoint, and Corel Draw and I am even learning web design, our teachers are digitally savvy hence we have some of them who make use of Zoom, Skype and Google meet, and some make use of infographics, the use of text and audio is normal.”

Speaking on the impacts of Supreme Academy Free online class, the students who have been participating told Edugist that they are very happy that the class is free and they are serious about the classes.

“I have been joining online classes this one is very different, there is a plan for every subject and the management of the tutorial has strict rules that are followed, like no distraction in class, no use of stickers during class and in fact, once you disturb the class you may be removed.” Adeola Omasola, a candidate preparing to sit UTME said.

Also, Emmanuel a student who joined from Abia state said he has been very weak ahead of the preparation but ever since he got the link on Facebook, he has been challenged and enjoying the classes.

“As for me, I enjoy all my classes, especially English, Literature and the Government classes, I don’t know how I would have prepared without Supreme Academy,” Frederick said.

Another free online learning platform, the English Alpha was created to impart, guide, inform and teach the knowledge of the English Language with best practices, standard pronunciation, and enunciation and correct any misnomer relating to the English Language.

According to the convener, Oladipupo Michael popularly known as Mc Michael he desires to have a community of efficient and effective users of the English language.

“I would like to have a community of efficient English Language speakers and learners to circumvent any communication barrier or misinterpretations that may ensue due to inappropriate or misuse of words during communication.

“We all know the importance of correctness of expression in communication, hence, the free class.

Reacting to the motivation behind the free class, he said that he once had an encounter with someone that misinterpreted his words due to the person’s inability to understand his language usage.

Also, Dee excellent tutorial college, Ilupeju, is building excellent students and learners through the use of digital technology and the latest trends.

Speaking with one of the management staff, Faseyi Festus, a mathematics teacher and educational consultant,told Edugist that students enjoy free classes every time from the centre via the Internet and through other digital Apps.

“We have our content available for free online, we have WhatsApp classes, free downloadable videos on Facebook, YouTube and more, our teachers use digital tools to enhance our student’s knowledge, our teachers, Kenny, Focus, Johno, Seyi crown and so many others are not left out among many that make use of digital tools to help learners”.

Edugist confirmed that there are so many tutorial centres utilizing digital tools to make learning easier but not all come very free for students.