The Lagos State Government and GetBundi Education Technology Business have formally launched a STEM lab at Wesley Girls Senior Secondary School in Yaba, Lagos.
The setting up of the STEM lab is the beginning of a relationship between the Lagos State Government and GetBundi that will eventually lead to the implementation of GetBundi’s education technology platform throughout the state’s schools.
Dr. Adetola Salau, the governor of Lagos State’s special assistant on education, stressed the value of STEM education in his remarks at the ceremony on Thursday, stating that it will prepare pupils for new challenges.
“STEM will prepare students to constitute an effective workforce; it will equip them with the skills needed to excel in a rapidly-changing, technology-driven society,” she said.
She clarified that the STEAM UP Lagos project, which she directs, works hand in hand with the services the Getbundi was providing.
She claims that the objective is to incorporate the ideas of a globally unified STEAM curriculum, making learning engaging for students and fostering their capacity for critical thought as well as problem-solving and sustainability.
She continued that it fosters cooperation and creativity while coming up with answers to societal problems.
According to her, GetBundi will benefit students by giving them “real-world experience and assisting them in developing the abilities that are in demand in the job market” as a result of the cooperation.
She believes that the contribution of a STEAM lab outfitted with the most recent hardware and software will help achieve that objective more effectively.
“They (Getbundi) supported our district here – Educational District IV,
specifically Wesley Girls Secondary School – through this generous
support which aligns with our goals that ultimately focus on the provision of quality education for all of the state’s children.
“This encourages educational innovation that aims to improve learning outcomes.
“We are also glad that this laboratory will be at a girls’ secondary school because we are focused on inspiring girls to pursue STEM courses and careers – by providing access to STEM resources directly at their school.
“That is expected to lead to the setting up of clubs and activities that would support students to learn more about STEM and its relevance to their lives,” she said.
The STEM lab at Wesley Girls Senior High School was established as a pilot programme to allow the Lagos State government to evaluate the platform and receive input from students and instructors, according to Mr. Osita Oparaugo, founder and chief executive officer of GetBundi.
“Less than 18 percent of Africans, Nigerians inclusive, who enter the universities, pursue science-related fields due to lack of appreciation of STEM caused by inability of African countries to invest in science
education mostly at the secondary school level.
“For instance, by 2030, there will be nearly 250 million job gaps in the digital space as our world is constantly changing through technology.
“African youths must be equipped with the right skill if they want to be productive and competitive,” he said.
“For instance, while our world is continually changing due to technology, there will be roughly 250 million employment openings in the digital realm by 2030.
Creating GetBundi with the aim of “massifying STEM and Digital Skill courses across Africa,” he claimed, was motivated by the gaps that already existed.
He claims that GetBundi’s GetBundi Vision 2033 aims to upskill 10 million African workers by 2030.
He revealed that GetBundi presently provides 16 digital skills courses for online vocational training, six of which were created by specialists in the field from Africa and other parts of the world.
