Biodun Esan, Ilorin A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) has trained 800 secondary sch...
Biodun Esan, Ilorin
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Women's Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) has trained 800 secondary school girls on technology and its related courses in Kwara.
W.TEC Curriculum Developer, Mr Lesley Tarabina, speaking at the end of the training on Friday in Ilorin said the programme was meant to bridge the gender gap in technology.
He said the training had students from 15 schools; 10 within Ilorin and five from Offa.
Tarabina said having more women in the technology field would boost the economy as the women would always work towards what will protect their interests specifically.
W.TEC Programme Coordinator in Kwara, Mrs Tolulope Ibrahim, said the progress has been tremendous for the organisation which started with training students in four schools in Kwara in 2018.
She said the schools were selected based on the available resources which were majorly having a minimum of 10 working computers and the acceptability of the school management.
''The training was at no cost to the students and the school, it is only maintenance of the computer systems to be used, and we made the facilitators and other materials available.
''Only 179 students are present at the graduation ceremony, but we trained over 800 secondary school girls,'' Ibrahim said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital development, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, commended W.TEC for the opportunity given to the students.
She was represented by The Director of Human Capital Development, Mrs Eunice Abidoye.
''We appreciate you for promoting and showcasing the innovative skills of our female students.
''Digital technology holds power and potential across the world and girls must have safe inclusive and equal access to technology.
''I believe that with the right access and skills, girls will be fully empowered, so this is a commendable one from W.TEC,'' Adeosun said.
In her keynote address, Mrs Rashidat Dawodu, a Programme and Web Developer said the world has advanced to the stage of exploring the importance of solving human problems with technology.
She urged the students to utilise the opportunity they got and put to use what they have learnt from the programme.
The schools that participated in the academy from Ilorin were Government Day Secondary Schools Adewole, Gaa Akanbi, Tanke, Adeta, and Ilorin Grammar School.
They include Ilorin Comprehensive High School, Government High School, St Barnabas Secondary School, Cherub and Seraph College, and Basin Staff School.
The schools from Offa were Offa Grammar School, St Claire's Girl Secondary School, Community Secondary School, Anglican Comprehensive College, and Government Day Secondary School.
W.TEC was established as NGO in 2008 to bridge the gender gap in technology through Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics.
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