By Gabriel Dike
Stakeholders, including officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, Lagos State Government, Casio management and others, have confirmed that the deployment of technology in the classrooms would boost the performance of students.
The stakeholders also acknowledged that the introduction of technology would help teachers deliver quality services in the classrooms, which would further aid learning.
These positions where stated at the presentation of the Nigerian brand of the Casio Scientific calculator (Casio fx- 9910NG Plus) in Lagos, with the theme: “Fostering Innovation and Problem-Solving in the Nigerian Classroom through the Use of Technology”.
The Casio Education Conference 2024 attracted the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Lagos State, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack and the Head of National Office (HNO) of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Dr. Amos Dangut, tutor-generals in some education districts, Casio officials, led by the managing director, Casio Middle East and Africa, Seimiya Takashi, senior general manager, Casio Japan, Tomoaki Sato, managing director, SKLD Integrated Services Limited, Temilola Adepetun, teachers and students.
Osiyemi said technology is embraced outside the school system but in schools it is seen as a threat to teachers and other workers, who are afraid that they would be displaced if technology is deployed.
At the event, representative of the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, Mrs. Obianugu Anigbogu, said the ministry has embraced technology and innovation to achieve better performance.
She explained that the ministry acknowledged technology as key to improve performance in schools, and urged them to embrace technology.
“The ministry is in support of deploying technology in the classrooms. Technology creates a level playing field in the classroom,’’ she said.
Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Alli-Balogun, acknowledged the better performance of students with the introduction of technology in classrooms.
He said, through technology, “we can motivate students in learning,” and appealed to stakeholders to “ensure students are exposed to the use of technology in classrooms.”
According to him, the state government trained teachers in the use of technology in classrooms and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, schools in the state embraced online technology to teach the students.
In his remarks, the MD of Casio Middle East and Africa, Mr. Takashi, said Casio was contributing to Nigeria’s leaders of tomorrow through the deployment of technology in education.
Takashi confirmed that Casio has promoted the use of technology in some schools in Lagos to enable students’ improved on their performance.
He added: “We have a school project in Lagos to boost learning. We have six Casio laboratories to support students and schools. We have trained 1,300 Lagos teachers in the use of Casio calculators. Casio will do more to contribute to Nigeria future leaders.”
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Nigeria, Matsunaga Kazuyoshi addressed the gathering via online from Casio head office in Japan. He said technology allows the production of quality educational items for students use.
He explained that the introduction of Casio fx-9910 NG Plus in the classrooms in Lagos is an indication of firm’s commitment to produce original Casio calculators for students.
“Casio aligns with the curriculum in Lagos. We hope to expand to other states and will also seek the recognition of the federal ministry of education. Science and technology education is good to boost the economy of Nigeria,” he stated.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Abayomi Abolaji, said the Casio education conference is about future of education and how to make classrooms better for students.
Abolaji, who was represented by Director, Education Research Centre, Mrs. Akinlade Omolayo, said the ministry have been collaborating with SKLD in the last three years, adding, “the efforts has brought many testimonies from students and teachers.’’
The Senior General Manager, Casio Japan, Sato, said since 1974, Casio has continued to provide better education tools to enhance teaching and learning.
Sato disclosed that Casio has been collaborating with teachers since 2004, noting, “our new Casio scientific calculator is for students in Lagos and Nigeria.”
The Education Specialist Casio Japan, Koichi Danjo told the gathering that over 90 percent of Nigerians students buy fake calculators, stating, ‘’in the process of using the fake calculator, it wouldn’t work.”
Representatives of WAEC HNO, Olorunnisola Abdulmujeeb said the council had long depoyed technology to deliver quality services to Nigeria child.
“In 2004, we approached SKLD to supply customized calculators for our exams. Our operations are now technology driven and of recently we conducted e-exams for students, “he added.
The Executive Director, SKLD Integrated Services Ltd, Mr. Tayo Osiyemi, said with a global competitive World, technology has come to drive education and other sectors.
Osiyemi said technology is embraced more outside the school system while in schools, it is seen as a threat by teachers and other workers, who are afraid that they would be displayed if technology deployed.