Equipping teachers with the necessary skills to harness digital tools for the benefit of their students

Part of DCMS’ International Tech Hub Network.

Overview

Challenge

Lack of digitally skilled teachers in the Nigerian education sector

Solution

  • A 6 week virtual capacity building training programme for 300 teachers

  • Participants receive a certification from Tai Solarin University

Impact

  • 261 teachers received training and mentoring from education experts

  • Education sector supported through digitally upskilling teachers across 6 political zones in Nigeria

Background

OVID-19 has affected educational systems worldwide, with 191 countries implementing nationwide closures of schools (UNESCO monitoring, April 2020), impacting 98% of the world’s student population. This has also been the case in Nigeria since March 2020, resulting in a spike in demand for digital tools for education. To rise to this challenge, the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub partnered with the Co-Creation Hub (Cchub), a social innovation centre dedicated to accelerating application of social capital and tech for economic prosperity in Nigeria, to design and launch an intervention programme aimed at supporting innovation in the education sector.

Programme

The Innovative Teachers Fellowship was designed to upskill teachers in Nigeria to leverage technology for the creation and development of learning content for their students, with particular emphasis on the use of digital tools to support virtual learning. Applications opened in October 2020, with 742 received – of these, 300 were shortlisted based on their statement of intent, subject and class taught. Preference was given to teachers from educationally less developed states (ELDS). Of these, 261 teachers joined the training programme.

The 6 week capacity building programme was delivered November through December 2020, and made use of various digital tools in its delivery. Training sessions focused on inquiry-based methodology for teaching and learning, digital platforms to support learning, and online safety amongst other topics. The programme also featured industry immersion sessions which offered participant teachers a holistic learning experience by exposing them to real-life applications of the concepts being taught, and enabling them to engage with edtech solutions.

The teachers enjoyed a graduation ceremony at which Valedictorians were announced, and all participants received certificates of participation by the Tai Solarin University in Nigeria.

The knowledge I’ve gained on the use of digital learning tools has improved my capacity as a teacher in delivering my lessons to meet global standards. The knowledge I’ve acquired on culture of error has helped me to support my students to develop the habit of voicing their opinions and thoughts freely without being afraid

Tech Hub leadership

The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub sponsored 261 places for teachers to participate in this programme.

Through this partnership, the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub has equipped teachers with the requisite digital skills to adapt to the new challenges prompted by Covid19, thereby preventing a slowdown in the education sector. This upskilling catalyses growth of the local market, which strengthens economic growth.

Looking to the future

Following the programme, 89% of participants reported an increase in their digital skills and feeling more confident to make use of digital tools in delivering virtual learning.

For more information

Read local media coverage of the partnership:

TechCabal: UK-Nigeria Tech Hub in partnership with CcHUB is empowering Teachers for a technology-driven future in education

More about the Innovative Teachers Fellowship and the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub

To learn more about the Innovative Teachers Fellowship and the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, please contact: [email protected]

UK-Nigeria Tech Hub can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin

The UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) is building a global network of Tech Hubs. The International Tech Hub Network aims to forge innovation partnerships between the UK and international tech sectors, stimulate local digital economies; and build high-end digital skills to drive sustainable jobs and growth.

Contact the network at: [email protected]

Published 18 June 2021