Students of Government Day Secondary School, Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi, have called on the state government to establish Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres in secondary schools across the state.
They made the call at the Digital Skills and Gender-based Violence (GBV), outreach, organised by Switch Media and funded by OXFAM, to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child on Thursday, in Bauchi.
Mustapha Maina, a student, observed that the spread of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), was gaining momentum across the globe.
“There is need for government to make ICT compulsory in all tiers of education, for the students to communicate effectively anywhere they go.
“We are calling on the government to support schools by establishing ICT centres in secondary schools, for students to learn digital skills before graduation,” Maina said.
Miss Bright Aniagboso , another student, stressed the need for the government to make the use of ICT facilities compulsory in schools for teaching and learning.
“The secondary schools need computers and ICT equipment to learn digital skills, to become self-reliant after graduating.
“If students graduate with additional technology skills, it will empower us as government jobs are not readily available,” she said.
She noted that in spite of its potential in the development of IT education, not many schools had extensively adopted ICT facilities for teaching and learning.
Aniagboso also urged the government to provide security in schools so as to save students from the menace of gender-based violence.
On his Part, Mr Jang Ajemasu told the students with digital skills and knowledge would assist to develop the nation, by making use of their experience and advancement in IT technology.
He advised that secondary school students should be encouraged to use ICT in communicating, teaching and learning in classrooms.
“These will facilitate their learning skills, knowledge and experience in information technology,” he said.
Ajemasu explained that digital skills have the potential to accelerate, enrich and deepen skills to motivate and engage students and to help link school experience to work practices.
He noted that digital skills can also improve students’ connectivity in businesses, employment, and buying and selling globally.
Also speaking, Mrs Mary Ann Emmanuel, a representative of the Civil Society Organization (CSO ) told the students that technology applications can help curb gender-based violence.
“It empowers women and girls to be gainfully employed and independent,” she said, adding that technology can also be a pivotal tool for girls to become campaigners and activists.
On her part, Mrs Alonge Deborah, teacher and activist, charged the students to imbibe the culture of togetherness and foster peace among themselves.
She urged the students to rise up to the fight against gender-based violence and embrace digital skills and knowledge.
“ICT helps students to become competent and confident users of the basic knowledge and skills acquired to assist them in their daily lives.
“It is also to prepare students for the world of tomorrow. It aims to help learners have an open and flexible mind,” she added. (NAN)