The Bank of Industry (BOI) has teamed up with education technology firm, CloudNotte, to empower over 700 school owners, administrators, and educators in Rivers State through digital innovation and capacity building.
The partnership, unveiled at a one-day training programme titled “Educators Insight” in Port Harcourt, aims to boost the quality of education in the state by equipping schools with modern digital tools and the knowledge needed to transform teaching and learning.
With the theme “Unlocking School Growth Through Innovation,” the programme focused on preparing school leaders for the future of education by introducing them to practical digital solutions and strategies for sustainable school development.
BOI’s Divisional Head for MSMEs (South-South), Engr. Pacqueens Irabor, announced that school proprietors can now access up to ₦5 million under the FGN MSME Intervention Fund. The loan, available at a 9% interest rate for a three-year term, is intended to support the acquisition of digital infrastructure for schools.
“BOI has a huge appetite to fund education because it helps us fulfill our mandate of creating jobs,” Irabor said, encouraging schools to take advantage of the funding window.
CloudNotte CEO, Mary Matthew, called for deeper collaboration between government and the private sector to address persistent gaps in Nigeria’s education sector. “The government is trying, but much more needs to be done. The private sector must continue to step in, especially where public schools are struggling,” she noted.
Stella Atukomi, ICT and Strategic Planning Officer at the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), emphasized the need for accurate data to drive school growth strategies. “Good planning starts with good information, and that data is essential for effective decision-making in the education sector,” she said.
In his remarks, Sunday Jaja, Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Rivers State, urged school leaders to adapt to emerging trends, especially with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) transitioning to Computer-Based Testing (CBT). “This is not the time for school owners to relax. WAEC is going CBT, and that’s why we’re working with CloudNotte to scale up,” he said.
The initiative marks a significant step towards integrating digital technology in Nigeria’s education system, starting with capacity development at the grassroots.
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