The Oyo State Government has distributed 18,000 tablet devices to teachers across public primary and secondary schools in the state as part of its efforts to enhance teaching efficiency and improve learning outcomes.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports that the initiative which was sponsored by the World Bank is in collaboration with the Oyo State Universal Basic Education (OYSUBEB) and UBEC, is being coordinated by the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA).
The initiative, championed by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, is aimed at integrating technology into classroom teaching, thereby, making lesson delivery more engaging, interactive, and impactful in line with global best practice.
The symbolic presentation was performed today at the Emmanuel College, Samonda, Ibadan, by Governor Seyi Makinde represented by the deputy governor, Barrister Adebayo Lawal.
This was as the government assured that public school teachers will undergo a compulsory four weeks training across the 16 training centers in the state to equip them of requisite knowledge and skills to efficiently operate the gadgets.
Speaking at the distribution ceremony in Ibadan, the deputy governor described the gesture as a “bold step towards digitalizing education” in the state.
He noted that the devices are preloaded with teaching resources, academic materials, and e-learning tools that will help teachers prepare and deliver lessons more effectively.
He reiterated the unrelenting commitment of the present administration to transforming the education sector stressing that the appropriation for education in the 2025 Budget already surpasses the UNESCO threshold.
“This is not just about giving out gadgets; it is about equipping our teachers with modern tools to match global best practices in education.
“We are determined to raise the standard of teaching in Oyo State and ensure our children get the best learning experience possible.”
He explained that the tablets will also help in tracking lesson plans, assessing students’ performance, and providing real-time data for educational planning and policy formulation.
Teachers present at the event expressed appreciation to the state government, describing the move as a game-changer that will reduce the workload of manual lesson preparation while exposing both educators and students to digital learning skills.
The initiative is part of Oyo State’s broader education reform programme, which includes upgrading school infrastructure, training teachers, and introducing innovative learning solutions to prepare students for the demands of a technology-driven world.
With the distribution of the 18,000 tablets, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging technology to bridge learning gaps, boost academic performance, and make public schools more competitive.
“Well, what we have come to demonstrate and make people be aware is the fact that we are moving in tandem with educational development worldwide. First and foremost, you know that this is a digital age and we cannot afford to be analog.
“And so we want to empower and equip our teachers who will in turn be teaching our students in primary school and especially in secondary school between classes 1 to 3 of the secondary school. Now these tablets, computer tablets that I have come to really distribute will further enhance instructional capability of our teachers.
“It is well packaged with several apps in it and it is meant for all our teachers in New York State to have 18,000 in all. And so that no school, no teacher will have an excuse of not having the tab in order for him or her to really educate our students. So this training is going to last about four weeks so that adequately, no teacher will find an excuse or pretend not to know how to use the tab.
“I’ve had the occasion or privilege of seeing one of them yesterday because I asked that it be demonstrated to me. All subjects are included in the tab whether you are a science teacher or arts teacher, all of those subjects are in the tab. So what you need to do is just to open your tab, go straight to the subject matter, history for instance, you just tap and begin to teach our students.
“So it is innate teaching aid and it will foster capability of our students to compete nationally and internationally because this mode of learning is not reversible.
“You can’t sit down in classroom and be taught in analog form when the age is digital. So I have to appreciate BESDA, SUBEB, TESCOM, Ministry of Education, UBEC and all of those educational families that have really put heads together for our pupils in the state to take advantage of the current and technologically advanced method of teaching. That’s the whole essence of this exercise today.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the symbolic presentation, the Chairman of Oyo SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran, lauded the present administration for its commitment to raising the standard and quality of education in the state.
He maintained that the device will enhance teaching and learning performance as well as expected outcomes by students of public primary and secondary schools in the state.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Education Intervention, Hon. Suraj Tiamiyu who is the head of BESDA, in his remarks said, the gadget has been embedded with security features that will enable government monitor activities of teachers in line with its objectives stressing that weekly reports will also be submitted by handlers of the tablets.
Adelakun Folashade and Gbenga Faniran, who are among the four recipients of the symbolic presentation expressed gratitude to Governor Makinde maintaining that the devices will not only enhance learning and teaching instructions but will also reduce work stress and time consumption in preparing lesson notes.
Present at the event were Mr. Alabi Baba Asaaju, led the South West Zonal Director of UBEC delegation. Others are state commissioners and top government officials