The distribution of technology will generate faster growth in the Nigerian education sector, according to Robert Ikazoboh, managing director of Dragnet Solutions.
Addressing the audience at a media event, Ikazoboh said technology was the most important aspect in transforming the country, particularly in the management of examinations, reports Vanguard.
Ikazoboh, who owns indigenous computer-based testing solution Face of Testing and e-scholarship solution Scholastica, said: “We can’t move this country forward without focusing on the education sector because the sector is the warehouse from which the brains that will move the country forward will emerge from.
“In this age, we must do all we can to bring the sector up to speed and we need to do this using cutting edge technology.”
Ikazoboh believes computer-based testing is an investment in the future for Nigerians, who should adopt the new programme presented by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB).
“By now, this country should be adopting CBT in virtually all of our educational institutions especially the secondary and tertiary institutions.
“We simply can’t go on with the paper to pen mode of assessment in this country. Imagine the cumbersome task the teachers face especially when they have many students to attend to. With CBT, the results of tests are ready just as the candidate concludes the examination and there is no need to physically handle the scripts.”
He urged private scholarship bodies to use technology while allocating bursaries for efficiency, credibility and transparency.
“Though most private and public institutions strive to contribute to the education sector by awarding scholarships and bursaries, we must ask ourselves how impactful the process has been because in most cases, we see individuals getting two or more scholarships while deserving and eligible individuals are left out.
“But using technology, such can be managed such that ghost and multiple recipients will become a thing of the past. For instance, biometric technology will surely bring efficiency and value to the system.”
