The Ondo State Government has commenced the digitalisation of secondary education, with teachers and students across the state already undergoing training as part of efforts to modernise the education system.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, made this known on Friday in Akure during the grand finale of the fourth edition of the Digital Quiz Competition for secondary schools.
The competition was organised by the state government in partnership with Quickens Computer Limited, an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm.
Ajibefun said the state government is making substantial investments in digital education, revealing that a significant number of teachers have already received specialised training and are expected to pass on the knowledge to their students.
According to him, the initiative is an ongoing programme aimed at preparing schools for the full digital transformation of the state’s education sector.
“The state government is investing heavily in digital education, with the training of our teachers and students in preparation for the digitalisation of our education system. The training is a continuous process.
“At least last month, with our technical partners, our ICT teachers in public schools were trained for a whole week on digital education, and this is a continuous exercise. It started last year, and it will continue.
“For the students, when you train the teachers, indirectly you are training the students because the teachers will return to train them,” he said.
The former Vice-Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, also disclosed that the government, through one of its technical partners, recently distributed digital equipment to at least 50 public secondary schools across the state.
“Digital equipment has been supplied to our educational institutions, particularly secondary schools. About three weeks ago, one of our technical partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, supplied computer equipment to 50 public schools in the state,” he stated.
Speaking further, Ajibefun explained that the Digital Quiz Competition was introduced to improve digital literacy among students while preparing them for the realities of a technology-driven world.
“The world is rapidly evolving into a digital society where knowledge, innovation and technological skills have become indispensable tools for national development. As a government, we recognise that the future belongs to individuals who can effectively leverage technology to solve problems, create opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society.
“The Digital Quiz Competition was conceived to promote digital literacy, stimulate academic excellence, encourage healthy competition among schools and prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Through this initiative, we seek to inspire our young learners to embrace technology not merely as consumers but as creators, innovators and future leaders,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Akindele Ige, described the competition as more than an academic exercise, noting that it plays a vital role in developing critical thinking, creativity and technological skills among students.
“The Ondo State Digital Quiz Competition is more than an academic contest; it is a platform for nurturing critical thinking, creativity, innovation and digital literacy among our young learners. Through initiatives such as this, we are equipping our young people with the skills and values required to succeed in a technology-driven world,” he said.
Several schools participated in the competition, including Fiwasaye Girls’ Secondary School, Akure, Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure, and Greater Tomorrow Secondary School, Arigidi Akoko, among others.
