The Lagos State Government and GetBundi Education Technology Company have opened a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) laboratory at Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School in Yaba, Lagos.
STEM Labs is in the pilot phase of an ongoing partnership between the Lagos State Government and GetBundi. this will bring GetBundi’s educational technology platform to every school in the state.
At Thursday’s ceremony, Dr Adetola Salau Lagos State Governor’s Special Assistant on Education emphasised the importance of STEM education. He said it prepares students for new challenges.
“STEM will prepare students to constitute an effective workforce; it will equip them with the skills needed to excel in a rapidly changing, technology-driven society,” she said.
She explained that what the Getbundi was offering was in tandem with the Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math (STEAM UP) Lagos project. This is another project which she also oversees.
According to her, the goal is to infuse the ideals of a globally unified STEAM curriculum. Furthermore, it will make learning fun, accessible, sustainable, and relatable to learners. Even while inculcating critical thinking ability, problem identification and solving skills.
It also encourages collaboration and creativity in designing solutions to identified challenges in society, she added.
She said that by virtue of the partnership, GetBundi would help to “provide students with real-world experience and help them to develop the skills that are in demand in the job market“.
Accordingly, that goal will be better achieved with the donation of a STEAM laboratory equipped with the latest equipment and software.
“They (Getbundi) supported our district here – Educational District IV, specifically Wesley Girls Secondary School – through this generous support which aligns with our goals that ultimately focus on the provision of quality education for all of the state’s children.
“This encourages educational innovation that aims to improve learning outcomes.
“We are also glad that this laboratory will be at a girls’ secondary school because we are focused on inspiring girls to pursue STEM courses and careers – by providing access to STEM resources directly at their school. That is expected to lead to the setting up of clubs and activities that would support students to learn more about STEM and its relevance to their lives,” she said.
Mr Osita Oparaugo is the founder/Chief Executive Officer of GetBundi. He explained that the STEM laboratory had been set up at Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School as a pilot programme. It will subsequently enable the Lagos State government assess the platform and get feedback from students and teachers.
He said the existing gaps were the reason for setting up GetBundi. The goal is “massifying STEM and Digital Skill courses across Africa”.
According to him, GetBundi has a target to upskill 10 million African workforces by 2030 under the GetBundi Vision 2033.
He disclosed that GetBundi currently offers online vocational training on 16 digital skills courses six. It even has courses in pidgin English developed by industry experts in Africa and around the world.
“The ultimate aim is to ensure that government and GetBundi could then formulate the right framework to deploy the technology across Lagos government schools”, he explained.
He said that GetBundi is a government-approved online educational technology platform. Furthermore, it is focused on using technology to make high-quality and engaging STEM subjects. It is also the technology for making secondary school and digital skills courses accessible all across Africa.
“Less than 18 percent of Africans, Nigerians inclusive, who enter the universities, pursue science-related fields due to lack of appreciation of STEM caused by the inability of African countries to invest in science education mostly at the secondary school level. For instance, by 2030, there will be nearly 250 million job gaps in the digital space as our world is constantly changing through technology.
“African youths must be equipped with the right skill if they want to be productive and competitive,” he said.
cc: NAN
