By Chinelo Obogo
The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and GetBundi Education Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train 2900 students across 29 federal, state and private colleges of education on digital skills.
This collaboration, tagged “Empowering Tomorrow’s Teachers”, aims to train 2,900 students from 29 Federal Colleges of Education in advanced digital literacy and key skills like Creative Media, Excel, and Digital Marketing in the pilot phase before a national rollout as part of national efforts to attract more youths into teaching careers and build a sustainable educational system.
The MoU, which was signed on August 16, 2024, by the Executive Secretary, NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Okwelle, for NCCE and founder of GetBundi Education Technology, Osita Oparaugo, comes as a testament to NCCE’s recognition of the critical role of technology in the growth of individuals and the importance of digital literacy in achieving successful digital transformation in Nigeria.
Under the MoU, NCCE, an agency charged with the responsibility to, amongst other things, lay down and maintain standards for all programmes in teacher education at the sub-degree level of education in Nigeria, will work collaboratively with GetBundi Education Technology to boost the digital literacy level and equip students at various colleges of education across Nigeria with the digital skill sets that will make them better teachers or instantly employable. The technology company will also use its network of partners to facilitate funding for the pilot phase of the training with cooperation from NCCE and ensure the trained students are exposed to local and international internship programmes and remote job opportunities.
On its part, NCCE will secure 100 students each from final-year or, in colleges without final-year students, second-year students from the 29 federal colleges of education to be part of the pilot phase. It will also provide guidance and support within the ambit of its statutory mandates for the pilot phase, as well as work with GetBundi to facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders and governing bodies of colleges of education for the smooth running of the collaborative programme, especially the pilot phase.
NCCE will further work with GetBundi to facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders for funding of the pilot phase which will form the foundation for a national programme across all colleges of education.
Speaking on the collaboration, Prof. Okwelle, said it represents a significant milestone in the efforts to address the acute shortage of qualified teachers in Nigeria, especially at the basic education level.
“This initiative is not just about filling gaps in numbers but also about enhancing the quality and attractiveness of the teaching profession by equipping our future teachers with 21st-century digital skills. In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, our teachers must be well-versed in digital tools and technologies that enhance learning outcomes.”
On his part, Oparaugo said the company was excited to work with NCCE for the benefit of Nigeria.
“Tomorrow’s educators should have a solid understanding of digital tools that can greatly enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement. In a world where digital literacy is crucial, teachers who are comfortable with technology can better prepare their students for the future workforce, where tech skills are increasingly in demand,” Oparaugo said.