Enhancing Education in Kaduna State through Digital Learning
Kaduna State, Nigeria is taking a significant step towards enhancing the quality of education with the introduction of an innovative digital teaching device called the "jolly player." Universal Learning Solutions, an NGO, has trained 400 teachers on effective use of this device to make learning fun and engaging for pupils.
The jolly player is an innovative digital teaching device that includes 43 jolly phonics letter sound lessons and story books, recorded and uploaded into the device. Abbas Muhammad, ULS Technical Education Specialist, emphasized the need to move beyond just teaching reading and writing skills, and instead, incorporate comprehension, listening skills, and vocabulary development. The jolly player is designed to revolutionize the teaching landscape by harnessing the power of multimedia and providing a more enjoyable, effective, and inclusive learning experience for pupils.
Raheenatu Jumare, ULS’s Jolly Phonics Project Coordinator in Kaduna, believes that the device will make a significant impact in bridging the technology gap in schools and improving learning outcomes. She emphasized the need for pupils to follow the trend of the digital world. "Globally, the world is becoming digital, the pupils need to follow suit," she said.
The training was held across three zones, covering all 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. Trainees expressed satisfaction with the device, citing its interactive features, funny and interesting ways of teaching, and the ability to capture pupils’ attention easily, especially in decodable stories.
One of the trainees, Patience Kaciro, a teacher at LGEA Primary School, Mahuta, Chukun LGA, stated that the initiative is a good one, as it will enhance her capacity of teaching and lead to better learning outcomes for her pupils. She emphasized the device’s ability to make grammar lessons more interesting and easier to understand for pupils.
The jolly player offers three alternative sources of power: solar, electric, and an inbuilt manual rotator for generating power. With its user-friendly features and adaptability to different learning settings, this device has the potential to transform the education landscape in Kaduna State.
