By Godfrey AKON
The Founder of Nigeria’s premium digital learning platform, Educatial, Mr. Francis Muofunanya, has expressed confidence that the platform will assist schools, students and government in tackling teaching and learning crisis in the country.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, Muofunanya said the platform which was developed by indigenous systems engineers, is the product of two years of educational research and has 20 uniquely different but interconnected educational tools to help students.
He called for the use of technology as part of the evolution of teaching and learning methods and content to adapt to the changing educational environment.
“Globally, education, like every other sphere of life, has over the years witnessed great evolution in methods and content of teaching and learning. Therefore, when you use yesterday’s method of teaching and learning for today’s children, they lose their future. Technology has impacted education greatly; moreso since the covid-19 era when it was practically impossible for physical classroom instruction and learning,” he said.
According to him, as more learning happens online, education is overwhelmed and in need of a learning ecosystem that provides a unified solution to all aspects of learning, adding that Educatial was developed in response to this need.
“It is an exciting software-as-a-service ecosystem platform for the education sector focused on transforming learning for present and future generation.
“Educatial provides a ‘one-stop-shop’ including hardware, software, infrastructure, hosting and support. Our focus is on teaching learners how to learn, training professionals in career-focused skills and equipping educators for success,” he said.
He described the 20 uniquely different but interconnected educational tools as engaging, effective, impactful and fun which are at the same time useful in community-led learning.
On the cost of accessing the facility, he said He said “Our EduTech digital solutions are easily accessible and inexpensive. In fact, over 70 percent can be accessed freely while a token is required to sign on to other modules.”
Muofunanya expressed belief that “Educatial will engage the youths and help them acquire the relevant skills that will empower them to play at the global stage without having to travel out of Nigeria, and hence curb excessive migration to other developed countries otherwise known as japa in search of better education and good paying jobs.”
He called on stakeholders, government, parents, the private sector and the industry to come together and invest in educational technology to shape the future of the nation, adding that despite government’s effort and investment at every state level, there were still challenges of technological transformation, management efficiency, accessibility and affordability of education.
Also speaking, the Chief Technical Officer of Educatial, Mr Celestine Achi, noted that the software ecosystem will benefit the country by providing a one stop shop for everything education.
Achi said what Educatial has done is to democratise education by providing a unified platform for education for both Synchronous and asynchronous learning, as well as vocational or career education among others.
“So we have been able to converge, a learning management system, a course management system and information management system; and of course, making it social for the students,” he said.
On his part, one of the guests, Mr Samuel Bena, lauded the initiative as the modules designed by Educatial can cater for all the needs of students.
Bena stressed the need for personal responsibility by students and institutions by ensuring that the desired teaching and learning continue to takes place.
One of the guests, Mr Yusuf Ibrahim, described the initiative as wonderful, adding that it will add a lot of value to the northern part of the country which has been ravaged by insecurity, which Hass had a lot of discouragement on the willingness of students to learn
Ibrahim expressed belief that the platform will inspire participate in learning activities among students and bring learning to the door steps of every individual.