Date: 2016-08-05

The Proprietor, Hillcity Schools, Graceland, Tanke, Kwara State, Mr. Ebenezer Olawuyi; and Head of the Department of Educational Technology, University of Ilorin, Prof. Bisi Onasanya; have said there is low level of information communication technology compliance in schools in Nigeria.

They called on the federal and state governments to assist primary and secondary schools in the country to imbibe better ICT compliance. They spoke during the third graduation and fifth prize-giving day of Hillcity Schools in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Thursday.

Olawuyi acknowledged supporters of the school, including those who endowed awards/prizes to pupils who excelled academically and morally. Those who endowed prizes and awards include an ex-student of the Life Beyond Limits unit of the school, Miss Bola Abayomi; and Executive Director, SEAP Group of Companies, Mr. Olatunde Oladokun.

Noting that schools in Nigeria are lagging behind in ICT penetration, Olawuyi said even schools in urban areas do not have ICT system, adding that the ones that have suffer from electricity problem and the inadequacy of other logistics. According to him, the problem is worse in rural environments. He called on government to subsidise solar system installations in schools across the country to reduce reliance on electricity.

He said, "Nigeria definitely is very far away from ICT compliance. The challenges are that most of the schools do not have enough resources for computer system.

"In Nigeria, we do not have enough human resources who are not only computer literate but those that will communicate effectively with pupils. "Technical and power problems are rampant in schools. Many schools run on generators and the cost of diesel is becoming unbearable. So, building solar system that could power inverters could be a solution.

"Government should assist proprietors of schools by providing subsidised solar system so that schools will not depend so much on hydro-power system." Onasanya, who delivered a paper entitled, 'Educating for the next generation,' stated that teaching in the 21st century had undergone a typical shift.

He said education must prepare pupils for success in a fast changing and inter-connected world. Onasanya, who was the guest lecturer, suggested that teachers must first possess relevant skills so that they could impact their pupils.