Worried by the sorry state of Computer education in Nigeria’s schools, Senate on Tuesday adopted a motion calling for computer education among teachers and pupils in Nigeria schools.
In a motion sponsored by Senator Akon Etim Eyakenyi representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial district, she urged the Federal Government and stakeholders to establish “computer facilities for proper training of pupils and students in computer knowledge.”
Contributing, Senator Godiya Akwasiki representing Nasarawa North Senatorial district reminded the Chambers that Section 21(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended states that government should provide science and technology education.
Akwasiki said further: “Even in Rwanda, the government has initiated one laptop computer per child and if the principle of this current government is to move the nation to the next level, then, science and technology education is key.”
Senator Albert Akpan noted that pupils of private schools were better off in computer education, saying that private schools pay attention to computer education than public schools.
“In private primary schools for instance, pupils already know how to operate computer, but not public schools and now that we are in a global world, computer education is important in our public schools.”
Senator Aishatu Dahiru representing Adamawa Central Senatorial district explained challenges of the lack of power supply as the bane of computer education.
She said there was no steady power supply in Nigeria that supports ICT, adding that government must address power supply before addressing ICT.
Former Minister of Education, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau recalled the challenges faced by Nigerians when JAMB introduced Computer-Based Education (CBE) between 2014 to 2015, saying that JAMB candidates subjected themselves to computer training when it was obvious that the examination body insisted.
He added that the proprietors of private schools should ensure that they employ teachers who are computer literate.
“The idea of computer education is good for our pupils. I recalled when I was Minister of Education between 2014 and 2015, JAMB introduced CBE and candidates were compelled to learn computer.”
“Today they have become used to Computer-Based Education.”
Other lawmakers who spoke on the motion were unanimous on the need to “make computer education compulsory for teachers and pupils in private and public schools across the country.”
In his remarks, Senate President, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan said that the National Council on Education must see to the implementation of Computer education policy.
He indicated that the Senate would address funding of computer education in Nigeria.
