In an effort to close the digital divide between rural and urban residents, Mrs Olajumoke Akere, the Executive Officer (CEO) of Cherithpoint Education and Youth Development Initiative, has urged the nation’s three levels of government to take public internet subsidies into consideration.
Akere made this statement at a symposium in honour of Digital Literacy Day in Ibadan that was hosted by the Edtech platform GoToCourse. Akere stated that digital literacy and education should be prioritised because they are essential to the development of any country’s economy.
She emphasised that everyone should double their efforts in fostering digital literacy in this era in order to prevent falling into the digital abyss while speaking on the theme of “Digital Inclusion and Accessibility, the challengeof the Digital Divide.” In order to close the digital divide and guarantee that digital literacy is given priority when formulating policies, Akere underlined the necessity for cooperation between the public and commercial sectors.
The CEO asserts that education and digital literacy are essential to any country’s development, particularly in this digital age we live in. As per her perspective, attaining digital inclusion involves more than just giving people access to gadgets or the internet; it also involves creating an environment where all people are able to utilise digital technologies to their full potential.
She reaffirmed that in order to close the digital gap, emphasis must be placed on information and communication technology (ICT) education and skill development, as well as on providing people with the tools they need to use digital technology effectively and efficiently, which in turn promotes digital literacy.
Akere went on to say that poor digital literacy could be detrimental to education, particularly in underdeveloped countries. The CEO recommended that in order to guarantee equitable access to digital resources, both developed and developing countries needed to take concrete action. Akere also enumerated the actions that the government must do to close this gap, including the creation of regulatory frameworks, the improvement of infrastructure, and the promotion of education and skills.
She recommended that all-encompassing policies encouraging digital inclusion be developed by governments. These regulations might support digital literacy initiatives, set up public internet access points, and offer subsidies for broadband and gadgets.
Strong infrastructure is required to promote digital inclusiveness, such as nationwide broadband networks, according to her. According to Akere, students in remote or underdeveloped areas frequently do not have access to digital devices or the internet, which makes it more difficult for them to participate in digital learning.
According to her, “Without access to digital technologies, students in disadvantaged regions struggle to develop digital literacy which is critical for future job prospects and participation in the digital economy.”
Akere
She underlined the transformative effect that digital technologies may have in boosting educational experiences through a number of tools and resources. In his comment, Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Soliu AbdulWaheed applauded GoToCourse’s efforts of delivering digital literacy for the community of students, teachers and educators.
