One of the measures that governments, all over the world are taking, to stem the spread of coronavirus pandemic, is advocating social distancing. This has led to the closure of markets, offices, places of worship and schools.
Closing of schools, means that, students, from the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions cannot go to their schools to learn, for now. This has triggered off many students embracing the services of e-learning apps to keep them busy during the period that schools are on lockdown.
I, recently, had a chat, with Femisola Awosika, MD Robert & John, the founders of the Roducate e-learning app, on Tech Trends show, on Channels Television and he spoke on issues surrounding the requirements, policies, etc., on Edutech.
CFA: Tell me. Why should we take Edutech seriously?
Femisola: Edutech creates a level playing field for everyone, especially, for those who are below the pyramid, who also, deserve quality education, As you know, here in Nigeria, sometimes, you have to pay a lot, for the kind of education that should be available to everyone. Edutech, would allow that level playing field and assure quality education, across board. That is why it is crucial, at this time.
CFA: What sort of infrastructure, should we have in place, to make this a reality?
Femisola: Well, you see, it goes, without saying. Internet is very crucial. As a matter of fact, in densely populated areas, by now, there should be free data. There should be broadband, devices. They need devices, they need internet and proper policies in place and we are good to go.
CFA: Do you think that education, without classroom, is here to stay?
Femisola: It depends on the dimension that you are looking at it from. Coming from someone like me, who is a veteran of 10 years in Edutech, you can’t eradicate the classroom because, from the dimension we will be looking at it from, it would be that, if you say education, do you know that, when children interact, they are learning.
When they touch, you know, children between the ages of 0 to 5, develop 80% of their brain around that time, so, they are learning, their antibodies are, also, learning. They will contract a little cold, the body would learn that this is cold, next time, this is how you deal with it. The feel, the touch in school; when they play with mud, everything is learning. Their brain is developing, so, it is beyond curriculum.
CFA: Let us talk about policies, even though, you mentioned it a bit. What sort of policies, do we need, at this time?
Femisola: Okay. So, for instance, I should say, it should be a criteria, in accrediting private schools. That should be number one. Number two is that there should be standardization, within the Edutech sector. There should be government standard-created curriculum. If you are doing curriculum, you should be endorsed by the regulatory bodies.
You should have at least, six months experience, before you start to disseminate the curriculum. There should, also, be a major IGR platform. It should upstage internally generating revenue because, it is the new frontier. It should not just be left out there. States, should, partner, with Edutech companies, to create revenue. I think, setting policies as an accreditation, for private schools and regulating and making sure that there is a minimum standard, in the sector.
You can watch the full interview here
