Kunle Adelabu & Mariam Akinloye
-Again, body appeals to Ikorodu reps, others for support
Students undergoing computer training organized by the Ijede Development Foundation (IDF), a platform that has been playing a major role in educational development in the Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), have commended the training, describing it as impactful.
Many of the students who have been exposed to some computer education in their various schools but lacking practical knowledge, were provided with opportunity to learn basic computer knowledge at the IDF centre, free of charge.
IDF has been training about 100 students from both primary and secondary schools, and have been attending lessons in batches due to shortage of operating systems.
Three weeks after the commencement of the training, our reporter returned to the centre for a visit.
Miss Folorunsho Jamiat, a 15-year-old SSS 2 student of Luwasa Senior High School, ljede, said that she has been exposed to the practical aspect of computer education, unlike what is obtainable in her school.
“In school, they thought us about computers like software, hardware, application of ICT ,video conferencing and other things about computer, but when I came here, I understand better because I was exposed to a computer system and also operated it.
“In our school, we don’t operate computer without a generator. Once we are out of fuel, we cannot do anything, but here, I have been operating computer.
“I have also learnt so many things about software and hardware, and about everything in application of computer. I also learnt about typing. I know how to type better than before. So, I have learnt so much here’’, she said.
She commended the IDF for providing her and others with the opportunity.
“I thank them so much, because they are educating us on how to operate a computer which is very interesting and good. If I have the opportunity, I want to continue to learn computer”, she said.
Another 15-year-old student, Adegoye Daniel who is in SSS 3 at the Lagos State Senior College, Agbowa-lkosi, also stated that the training has afforded him the opportunity to learn so much about a computer system.
“They thought us about computer in school, but there was no practical. Since we have been here, we have been doing practicals.
“We have been operating the system. We have been doing everything about it. I want to say a very big thank you to the organisers”, he said.
Others that also shared their experiences with our reporters also shared similar stories about how IDF has exposed them to practical computer lessons.
Mr Babatunde Salu, the Assistant General Secretary, IDF, who is supervising the programme, said that the students’ performances have been encouraging.
“We are into the third week of the commencement of the program. Presently, we have been able to impact the learners on introduction to computer system, how to make use of the Microsoft word and excel, and I can say that on the average, their performance is encouraging.
“They have been able to do some work without any assistance. They work perfectly on the Microsoft word and excel in the shortest period of time”, he said.
The IDF official stated that the centre was conceived as an intervention which is to make facility available in Ijede, to students who usually go to Ikorodu for computer lessons.
“Actually, it started when some set of teachers within this community asked for the assistance of the IDF in bringing an ICT centre to their schools so as to reduce the stress they go through in taking their learners from Ijede down to Ikorodu, to learn about computer.
“We discovered that not all the children can afford the cost of transport. So, they ran to IDF for support, that was how the initiative started”, Mr Salu said.
He appealed to elected representatives in Ikorodu Division and concerned individuals for support in terms of making more computer system and other facilities available at the centre for effective learning.
“We have been appealing to well – meaning people in Ijede, to come to our aid. We started this programme with just eight systems but we need more. If we can get up to thirty system here, the work will be faster and we can impact on more students.
“The best way to train them is for each of the students to be on one computer system.
“Though, we have been talking to the representative of the Ikorodu Consistency II, Honourable Moshood Aro Abiodun (AMA). Also, we have written letters to the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Honourable Babajimi Benson, as well as Lagos East Senatorial District, Senator Tokunbo Abiru.
“We are still expecting to hear from them. We are appealing that they should come to our aid as soon as possible”, he appealed.
