The Kwara State Government has flagged off a Coding and Digital Literacy training programme for students in 50 public primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital and Innovation, Hon. Ishola Kayode, aims to equip students with essential digital skills. It was formally launched by Senior Adviser and Counsellor to the Governor, Alhaji Sa’adu Salau, on behalf of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq at Bishop Smith Junior Secondary School, Ilorin.
According to Salau, the programme is part of the government’s commitment to strengthening investments in education.
“We are now faced with the reality of the digital revolution. What we have done today is to flag off training for digital literacy in 50 schools in Kwara State,” he said.
The pilot phase targets over 150 students in each of the 50 selected schools. Schools in the state capital benefiting from the scheme include Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin Grammar School, and Sheikh Alimi L.G.E.A Primary School.
Hon. Ishola emphasized that the programme seeks to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that public school students are equipped with technological skills to solve real-world problems.
“They should be digitally literate and able to solve problems in their communities because technology provides solutions,” he said.
The selection process for the 50 schools was regionally distributed, with 15 schools from Kwara Central, 13 from the North, and 22 from the South. The initiative will be expanded following a data-driven assessment of the pilot phase.
Expressing gratitude, Mrs. Akanbi Janet Ayoola, Principal of Bishop’s Smith College (Junior Session), described the initiative as one of the best decisions of the administration, given the growing importance of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence.
Students Opadili Dorcas Boluwatife and Akinola Kolawole Abdulrahman also applauded the government, promising to maximize the opportunity to compete globally in the digital space.
This programme aligns with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s vision of transforming education in Kwara State, ensuring that students gain the skills necessary for a tech-driven future.
