In Edo state, Nigeria, a small government primary school is utilizing technology to improve education outcomes. Each teacher has been provided with a small tablet that they use to download detailed lesson scripts every two weeks. These scripts guide the teachers on what to say, write on the blackboard, and even when to move around the classroom. This new way of working has saved teachers time and has resulted in improved reading skills among the students.
This technology-based approach is a response to the widespread problem of poor education in many parts of the world. According to the World Bank, less than half of children in low- and middle-income countries are able to read a short passage by the time they finish primary school. In sub-Saharan Africa, this number can be as low as 10%. The reforms in Edo state began in 2018, with the government providing tablets and training to over 15,000 teachers, who in turn have delivered the new lessons to more than 300,000 children.
The training and technology are provided by NewGlobe, an education company founded in 2007. NewGlobe developed this approach while running low-cost private schools, primarily in Kenya, under the brand “Bridge International Academies”. A study conducted by academics, including Michael Kremer from the University of Chicago, found that children who attended NewGlobe’s primary schools made gains equivalent to almost a whole extra year of schooling compared to their peers in other schools.
Despite the success of this technology-based approach, it faces opposition from critics who believe it is a wrong turn. However, the government in Edo state believes that improving schools is crucial to preventing young people from leaving the state in search of better opportunities, often falling victim to people-traffickers promising a better life in Europe. With the support of NewGlobe and the use of tablets, the government hopes to continue improving education outcomes for its students.
