September, Friday 20, 2024

Unfamiliar with computers, Nigerian teens strive to start afresh


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An 18-year-old Nigerian student named Christian Asogwa had his first experience using a desktop computer during the country's university entrance exams. He struggled to navigate the screen and was unsure how to input his name and registration number. Christian had no access to a computer at his state-run school, and his family couldn't afford to buy him one for practice or private lessons. He turned to YouTube videos to learn but felt nervous when faced with the real exam. Unfortunately, his score was too low to gain admission to study law. However, Christian is now receiving free preparatory lessons, including computer training, from a group called the Ngwo Yellowpages. The group aims to help students improve their performance on the exams and ultimately revitalize the education system in their community. The initiative was organized by Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, a company providing educational software in Lagos. They discovered that many students lacked basic computer skills, highlighting a knowledge and technology gap. The Nigerian government introduced computer-based testing for the exams in 2012/2013 to combat malpractice and expedite result publication. The country's new minister for communication, innovation, and digital economy plans to increase digital literacy to 70% by 2027. Many Nigerian schools offer ICT as a subject but lack sufficient facilities. Despite the challenges, students like Christian and 17-year-old Naomi Mba appreciate the preparatory classes and the opportunity to improve their computer skills. The teachers provide computer appreciation sessions to familiarize students with technology. Those who score above 300 on the exams will receive full scholarships for a Nigerian public university. The initiative has gained attention on social media, inspiring others to replicate similar projects in their communities. The free lessons in Ngwo will continue until shortly before the next exams in April, and Christian is determined to perform better this time.