By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse
As part of its efforts to transform the state’s education system to make it the 21st century compliance, the Jigawa state government has launched a new digital portal
Codenamed: JIGAWA COMPETE (J-COMPETE) the government said the exercise was a digital transformation initiative aimed at realigning the education system to make it more globally competitive.
The launch, which is the first phase of the Initiative, involves the provision of 300 computer tablets, internet connectivity and the provision of Education Management Information System, (EMIS) for the state.
Governor Umar Namadi, in a speech at the launch at Government House in Tuesday said the Initiative was in fulfillment of his campaign promises as reflected in the 12-Point Agenda to revitalize the education system and making Jigawa a digital hub in Northern Nigeria.
“It is important to note that, J- COMPETE which stands for “creating opportunity for mastery, proficiency, excellence and technological empowerment” for teachers and students, marks a significant milestone in our stout commitment to providing a practical application of digital and advanced technology in our 21st century’s educational journey.
“The initiative is a clear testimony of our commitment to the delivery of quality and functional education in the state. It is a testimony of the priority we attach to human capital development and the technological empowerment of our citizens.
“We also strongly believe initiative will greatly contribute to our efforts on the development of a digital economy for the State.
“The J-COMPETE Initiative embodies our vision for a future where every student in Jigawa has an appreciable level of equal educational opportunity to master essential skills, achieve proficiency, excel academically, and embrace technology as a formidable tool for sustainable development.
“Today, we are embarking on a journey that prioritizes holistic development of our students, preparing them to a considerable level of favourable educational competition and commitment in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
“We’re now in an era of Digital Transformation. We came at time of rapid technological innovations and initiatives, a dynamic time of rapid technological revolutions that demand us to be bold, reasonably proactive, and responsive in addressing such instant technological rapidity.
“The J-COMPETE programme is one initiative that will ensure that our educational system leverages on the changing technological landscape to promote access to quality education and attainment of the state development objectives.
” The J-COMPETE, is designed not only to spearhead the digital transformation of our schools, but also ensuring that every student has access to cutting-edge digital resources in form of online learning platforms and curriculum enriched with technology-based teaching methodologies and pedagogy.”
To ensure sustainability and effective implementation of this transformative intervention, Namadi said the government was committed to investing in the development of robust digital infrastructure in the State.
“We will strive to provide reliable internet connectivity and equip our schools with necessary digital devices. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that no student is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge.
“We also recognize that capacity building is essential for the success of the initiative. Accordingly, Jigawa COMPETE places high premium on on capacity building especially for teachers and instructors, who play pivotal roles in the educational system.
“We will provide comprehensive training program to enhance the digital literacy skills of our teachers, empowering them to effectively integrate technology into the learning experience.
Namadi believed that one of the critical success factors for programs such as the Jigawa COMPETE is the scope and nature of the Digital Content which must be appropriate for E- Learning.
“The initiative would require the development and curation of high-quality digital educational contents. We will therefore leverage on similar initiatives that have been successfully implemented such as the Nigeria E-Learning Passport, INSPIRE and IGNITE.
These were all implemented by the Federal Government with the support of Partners as robust digital learning platforms that foster a dynamic and interactive learning environment.
“This J-COMPETE Initiative will open doors to new possibilities and opportunities, enabling students to explore, learn and collaborate beyond the confines of traditional classrooms.
“One very important element of J-COMPETE is the necessity for collaboration and feedback. I will therefore encourage our schools, educators, parents, and the broader community to actively participate and provide valuable feedback. Together, we can refine and optimize our strategies, ensuring that J-COMPETE achieves its goals and positively impacts on the future of our students.
“We will ensure the provision of all the necessary educational data in an open and transparent platform with various dashboards addressing key performance indicators (KPIs).
“This approach will facilitate easy access to data, information and knowledge enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.
“This will also promote accountability by showcasing educational outcomes, resource allocation and progress over time for continuous improvement in the education sector. I would like to emphasize that in launching Jigawa COMPETE, we are investing in the future of our children.
” I will equally reiterate that our commitment to Excellence in Education, Science and Technology is unwavering, and this initiative genuinely reflects our dedication and determination to provide our students with the necessary skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the 21st century.
“As we embark on this exciting journey, let us work together to create a legacy of educational Excellence – a legacy that will shape the destiny of our dear state and empower generations to come.
“It behooves all stakeholders in the educational system to collaborate and work together to usher in a new era of educational triumph through the J-COMPETE Initiative.”
News5 days ago