Boost education with digital tools, EDATECH urges govt

The founder of EDATECH, Dr Sylvester Juwe, has tasked the government at all levels with empowering students with digital tools, to boost the country’s education sector.
In a statement, he noted that equipping educators with the skills to leverage AI tools effectively would empower them to maximise technology’s impact on student learning.
“World Book Day serves as a reminder of the power of knowledge. Yet, in Sub-Saharan Africa, access to even basic resources like books remains limited. Equipping schools with a diverse range of resources, from physical books to digital tools, can ignite a passion for learning in every child.
“Imagine a leading tech company working alongside the Ministry of Education to develop culturally relevant, AI-powered platforms accessible to every child. Local school leaders can co-create programmes that incorporate the local language and cultural stories, making learning more engaging and relevant,” he stated.

The startup recently launched, EDATECH, an artificial intelligent-powered platform, is aimed at revolutionising education and unlocking every student’s potential with real-time, adaptive assessments that go beyond multiple-choice, mimicking real exams to pinpoint individual strengths and weaknesses.
Juwe explained that the application bridges the language barrier, a significant obstacle in Sub-Saharan Africa’s diverse linguistic landscape.
“E-books and educational apps with translation features can open a world of knowledge in various languages. Students can learn in their native language while acquiring additional languages, fostering a deeper connection to their education,” he explained. Related News Tools to enhance your digital expertise Confronting challenges facing digital literacy MTN, MasterCard to deepen mobile money adoption
He added that to revolutionise Nigeria’s economy, there was a need to personalise education among students.
He declared that overcrowded classrooms and limited resources stifled the potential of millions, creating a stark contrast to the global average of 25 students per teacher.
Juwe mentioned that data from the World Bank revealed a troubling truth, “a staggering two-thirds of students in Sub-Saharan Africa leave primary school without achieving minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics. This translates to a generation lacking the foundational skills to compete in a globalised workforce”.
According to him, a lack of education stifles a region brimming with potential.
“Sub-Saharan Africa boasts a young and vibrant population, a potential powerhouse waiting to be unleashed. By prioritizing quality education, the region can unlock this potential and transform its economic landscape. Imagine a future fuelled by innovation, where critical thinking skills honed through education propel the region to global leadership,” Juwe declared.
The academic said that investing in education was an economic game-changer, stressing that a well-educated populace was the cornerstone of prosperity, “ready to tackle challenges and contribute to a flourishing region”.
Juwe called for public-private partnerships among governments, non-governmental organisations, and the private sector to create innovative learning solutions.

Operators link rising slums to shortage of affordable houses

ekitinewswatchMarch 25, 2024

Operators in the built environment have blamed the rising slums in the country on the shortage of affordable houses for the less privileged.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Housing Corporation of Nigeria, Toe Eniola, said families facing economic hardship were resorting to slums for housing due to unaffordable rents or the shame of returning to villages empty-handed.
He said, “With the current economic reality, people are seeking alternative means of survival, and it is not out of context to see families opting for slums as alternative housing if they could not afford soaring rents any longer.
“Those who could no longer cope may opt to go back to the village, while those who could not face the shame of returning to the village without anything tangible to show may have to resort to slum settlement. Is it normal? No, because everyone as a citizen deserves habitable housing, and in the absence of any that is affordable, the poor need to breathe and have no choice but to settle in slums.”

Similarly, the Managing Director of Fame at Oyster & Co. Nigeria, Femi Oyedele, said due to a lack of adequate housing options, people were forced to reside in slums.
He noted, “The predicament of those moving to slums is not a consequence of their actions but rather a compelled search for a suitable place to dwell. If their current living conditions fall below standards and are unsuitable for human habitation, it is the responsibility of the government. Related News FG budgets N4.1bn to upgrade slums Prioritise affordable houses for urban residents, others Reps urge FG Slums hit 169, eight earmarked for regeneration – LASURA
“People do not voluntarily choose to reside in slums as an alternative to adequate housing, rather, they are compelled by circumstances beyond their control. When we designate a product as a fundamental necessity, it implies that individuals cannot function without it. A home is essential for providing shelter and rest.
“If the government fails to fulfill its responsibility of ensuring decent housing for its citizens, individuals may find themselves forced to reside in substandard conditions, including sleeping in gutters. It is not the shame of the people but the shame of the government that people cannot afford decent accommodation befitting human beings.”
Speaking on the health implications, an estate surveyor, Olorunyomi Alatise, stated that slums were not an alternative means to housing in the long run.
He remarked,” While slums can serve as housing for the impoverished when no affordable alternatives are available, residing in such areas carries significant health and safety hazards. Slums typically feature substandard construction, inadequate access to essential services like clean water and sanitation, and may be situated in perilous locations.
“Additionally, they often exhibit elevated levels of crime and violence, and residents may face limited opportunities for employment and advancement. While some individuals may turn to slums out of necessity, they are not a viable long-term housing solution.”

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