Ondo State has deployed more than 400 smartphones to public primary schools as part of a growing Artificial Intelligence-driven education programme designed to improve teaching quality and strengthen foundational learning among pupils.
The digital learning initiative, being implemented through a partnership between the Ondo State Government and EIDU GmbH, is currently being used across selected public schools in the state, with officials saying the programme is already delivering measurable results in literacy and numeracy.
The intervention is built around Artificial Intelligence-powered Digital Personalized Learning (DPL), a system designed to help teachers deliver lessons more effectively while also supporting pupils based on their individual learning pace and performance.
Speaking during a Steering Committee Meeting held at Royal Bird Hotel, Alagbaka, Akure, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, said the programme has recorded significant progress since it was introduced.
According to her, the initiative currently covers about 10,000 pupils in Primary 1 to Primary 3 across four pilot local government areas including Akure South, Akure North, Idanre and Ifedore.
She explained that the deployment of over 400 smartphones into classrooms has played a major role in improving classroom engagement and lesson delivery in participating schools.
“As part of the intervention, over 400 smartphones have been provided to support effective teaching and learning in classrooms,” she said.
Beyond the smartphones, the state government and its partners have also distributed more than 2,000 copies of the “Let’s Read” literacy textbooks to schools participating in the programme.
Teachers, head teachers and quality assurance officers have equally undergone intensive training programmes focused on digital literacy, classroom management and instructional delivery.
Bayo-Ilawole described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at repositioning public education in Ondo State through technology, teacher support and stronger learning systems.
She said the programme reflects the government’s commitment to revitalising the education sector through “strategic planning, effective supervision and collaborative stakeholder engagement.”
According to her, the initiative is not only improving learning outcomes but also helping to create a better classroom environment for both pupils and teachers.
She further commended EIDU GmbH for supporting the state with technical expertise and financial assistance, noting that the partnership has strengthened classroom delivery and increased learner participation.
“The partnership has strengthened classroom delivery, motivated teachers and enhanced learner engagement,” she stated.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Igbekele Ajibefun, said the initiative would help restore confidence in public schools and make them more attractive to parents and guardians.
Represented by the Director of School Services, Mrs. Olubunmi Ilori, the commissioner said the programme would also help reduce truancy while improving discipline and commitment among pupils.
He added that improving the quality of teaching in public schools would better position pupils to compete globally with their peers.
Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Ologbese Kolawole, assured stakeholders that the Ondo State House of Assembly would provide legislative support to ensure the sustainability of the programme.
He said the Assembly remains committed to policies and initiatives capable of improving education quality across the state.
Also speaking, the Ondo State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs. Olanike Adams, described the initiative as a forward-looking intervention targeted at revitalising foundational education.
According to her, the programme aligns with broader efforts aimed at improving access to quality education, increasing enrolment and reducing learning gaps among pupils.
For EIDU GmbH, the Head of Global Government Relations and Corporate Affairs, Mr. Femi Awoyefa, said Ondo State has shown the highest level of commitment among the nine states currently participating in the initiative.
“This strong commitment has significantly contributed to the success of the initiative and serves as a key factor encouraging its continuation and potential expansion,” he said.
The Head of Strategy and Government Relations at EIDU Kenya, Mrs. Clara Ruiz, explained that the platform powering the programme operates both online and offline to ensure uninterrupted learning, especially in areas facing connectivity challenges.
According to her, the system is built around a modular and cost-efficient structure designed to support long-term sustainability and expansion without compromising quality.
She added that Artificial Intelligence remains central to the programme because it enables adaptive and personalised learning for pupils while also giving teachers better classroom support tools.
Ruiz further explained that the initiative aligns with the local curriculum and works alongside existing education systems including teacher training frameworks and Education Management Information Systems (EMIS).
Senior EIDU Officer from Oyo State, Mrs. Mary Adubifa, also highlighted how the platform gives schools access to teaching tools, learner performance dashboards and real-time monitoring systems that help educators track pupil progress more effectively.
The initiative focuses mainly on improving foundational literacy and numeracy in public primary schools through technology-driven and evidence-based teaching methods.
Stakeholders at the meeting jointly reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining collaboration with the Ondo State Government to address operational challenges and ensure the long-term success of the programme across participating schools.
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