20 Ekiti Schools Get Free Internet Routers, One Year of Data

In a bid to enhance access to digital learning resources, 20 public secondary schools in Ekiti State have been provided with free internet routers and one year data subscription.

The project unites Focused Team Foundation, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and telecom giant MTN for the provision of internet connectivity services to public schools.

The programme will provide each beneficiary school with a router and monthly data allowance. The schools will receive 30GB of data initially, and 32GB of data in subsequent months throughout the 1 year subscription.

The support is expected to support students and teachers to access online learning resources, research, and to utilise digital tools in the classroom more.

Ekiti Government cries out for responsible use of Internet facilities

The Commissioner for Education, Ado Ekiti State, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, welcomed the project during the presentation ceremony in Ado Ekiti.

Access to the internet had become a growing necessity in the teaching and learning process, Aderiye said, saying that learners and teachers required it to facilitate classroom teaching and learning activities.

She praised the organisations for their contribution to the effort of enhancing the quality of education in the State.

The commissioner also urged school officials to assure that the equipment was well-maintained and used for educational purposes.

The program would assist the government with its broader goal of enhancing the quality of instruction and learning in public schools, she said.

MTN plans to expand the Programme

MTN Senior Lead in the Sales and Trade Department, Isaiah Akinbaani stated that the programme was aimed at increasing Internet connectivity in Nigerian schools and to create more opportunities for digital learning.

He emphasized that connections might enable students to find educational information outside their classrooms.

The 20 schools were referred to as beneficiaries of the pilot phase of the initiative by Akinbaani. He also said the programme would be seen in more schools in Ekiti State.

If the following phases are implemented, the planned expansion will provide access to Internet-based educational resources to further students and teachers.

The schools are among the beneficiaries.

Some of the schools cited in the report are Ado Community High School, Ado Ekiti; All Souls Anglican High School, Ado Ekiti; CAC High School, Ado Ekiti; Corpus Christi College, Ilawe Ekiti; Government College, Ado Ekiti; and Ekiti State Government College, Ikere Ekiti.

The aim of the initiative is to ensure increased access to the Internet in public secondary schools where access to digital learning facilities may be restricted.

The critical nature of Internet access for students.The importance of Internet access for students.

Access to the internet can enable students to conduct research on the topics covered in the school curriculum and to access further learning resources and to build their digital literacy. It also helps teachers to integrate online resources into their curricula.

However, long-term success of the project relies on the continued provision of network coverage, on ensuring that data allowance is used wisely and on the protection of the routers.

The proposed expansion of the programme to other schools in Ekiti State could benefit additional schools in the state as well.

For the time being, the provision of routers and one year of data pave the way for the 20 router-assisted schools to deepen digital learning and broaden students’ access to educational information.