The TechWomen Alumni Association of Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has advocated for deliberate efforts to upgrade technological infrastructure in secondary schools to enhance teachers’ capacity and promote the use of innovative teaching tools.
READ ALSO: ECOWAS Council of Ministers Urges Action on Non-Tariff Barriers
Ms. Carolyn Seaman, President of TechWomen Nigeria, made this call on Monday at the conclusion of a three-day training workshop for 15 secondary school teachers in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The training, titled the “INSPIRE Project,” aimed to build teachers’ skills in 3D modeling and printing, virtual and augmented reality, and robotics—all geared toward advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Seaman, represented by Mrs. Damilola Anwo-Ade, Inspire Programme Lead at TechWomen Nigeria, noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education.
She explained that the project was designed to close the educational resource gap, build teacher capacity, and increase access to advanced teaching tools.
While giving an overview of the project, Seaman stressed the importance of inclusion, highlighting that the initiative aims to empower both teachers and students, including those with disabilities.
She further stated that the project was implemented in partnership with PanAfricare and funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation, with approval from the state Ministry of Education.
Seaman emphasized the urgent need for targeted efforts to introduce technology in classrooms, citing tools such as 3D printers and virtual reality systems, which were included in the training.
As part of the programme, teachers took part in a discovery session on science tool kits for Basic Science, while senior secondary school teachers engaged in hands-on experiments using kits for physics, chemistry, biology, and general science.
“This project is being implemented in several states, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abia, Bauchi, Kaduna, Lagos with Rivers State being the last stop for the training.
“We are proud of what we’ve started together and look forward to staying connected as this work continues to reach more schools.
“The TechWomen Alumni Association remains committed to using its skills, experience, and network to empower the next generation of STEM leaders.
‘’We’re proud of what we’ve started together and look forward to staying connected as this work continues to reach more schools,” she said.
Mrs. Worgu Sosoma-Ala, Head of Directors, Mathematics Department at Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School, speaking on behalf of the 15 trained teachers, praised the organisers of the INSPIRE Project for their commitment to advancing education in public schools.
Sosoma-Ala expressed excitement about the transformative potential of the technologies introduced, particularly in enhancing the teaching and learning of STEM subjects.
She highlighted how augmented and virtual reality can help students better understand and visualize complex concepts and scientific processes in the classroom.
She also underscored the importance of wider adoption of these technologies across both public and private schools to help bridge existing gaps in STEM education.
The INSPIRE Project was officially launched on Friday, June 20, by the ExxonMobil Foundation, in partnership with PanAfricare and the TechWomen Alumni Association of Nigeria, to promote STEM education in Rivers State.