In a testament to the power of community involvement, the Kaduna AGILE Project, an initiative by the Kaduna State Government to enhance digital literacy among secondary school students, has received overwhelming support from local communities, traditional leaders, parents, and teachers.
The collective effort has been pivotal in ensuring the continued success of the program, which is transforming the educational landscape of the state.
Launched in 2023, the Kaduna AGILE Project aimed to equip secondary school students with critical digital skills, essential for thriving in today’s technology-driven world. The project has made significant strides by delivering comprehensive digital skills training to teachers, renovating computer laboratories, and providing solar power solutions, along with necessary devices and internet connectivity, across schools in the state.
Currently, the project is actively training over 22,000 students in 104 senior secondary schools. In a bid to support this extensive training, the project has supplied 1,250 laptop computers, installed 5KVA solar power systems in 100 schools, and provided 50 projectors and 50 projection screens. Additionally, 246 teachers have been trained to effectively deliver this vital education, all in line with the UNESCO Digital Literacy Global Framework (DLGF), covering essential areas such as information literacy, communication, digital content creation, and cybersecurity.
Among the numerous beneficiaries of this initiative is Government Secondary School (GSS) Unguwan Baro in Chikun Local Government Area. The school’s newly renovated computer lab quickly became a hub of digital learning, offering students unprecedented access to technology and skills. However, a severe rainstorm recently damaged the lab’s roof, threatening to derail the progress that had been made.
In an inspiring turn of events, the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) of GSS Unguwan Baro, comprising community members, traditional leaders, parents, and teachers, swiftly mobilized resources to repair the damaged roof.
The community’s prompt action ensured that students could resume their digital literacy training without any significant delay.
Mr. Joseph Sambo, Chairman of the SBMC, explained that the students’ enthusiasm for the digital literacy program fueled the community’s resolve to address the issue. “Our school has benefited tremendously from the AGILE Project. We’ve learned how to mobilize resources from within our community to support our children’s education. The significant improvement in our students’ performance, especially in the 2024 JAMB CBT, is directly linked to the digital literacy training they received.”
The initiative underscores the importance of community ownership in sustainable educational development. When communities actively participate in maintaining and improving school facilities, it not only ensures the longevity of such projects but also fosters a sense of pride and responsibility, thereby enhancing the overall quality of education.
The Kaduna AGILE Project has undoubtedly made a significant impact on students’ lives, but it is the unwavering support of the community that truly amplifies this success. The SBMC of GSS Unguwan Baro has shown how local commitment can drive positive change, making the project not just a governmental initiative but a community triumph.
The Kaduna State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Uba Sani, remains committed to improving secondary education opportunities for adolescent girls through the AGILE Project. The project aims to remove barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing secondary education, create safe and inclusive learning environments, and empower students with the skills needed for the future.
In a touching testament to the project’s impact, Faith Bitrus, a student in SS1 at GSS Unguwan Baro, expressed her gratitude for the provision of computers, internet access, and power solutions. “I can now use spreadsheets to manage my mother’s shop records and browse the internet for assignments without any difficulty,” she said, adding that her dream is to become a software engineer.
The Kaduna State Government values its partnership with the World Bank, which has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the AGILE Project. This collaboration between the state government, the World Bank, and the local community stands as a powerful example of how collective effort can achieve educational excellence and empower the next generation of leaders.