AWESOME: Stakeholders hail Zoe Schools Ogbomoso as it set to unveil 700-capacity CBT centre, partners schools in digital training

AWESOME: Stakeholders hail Zoe Schools Ogbomoso as it set to unveil 700-capacity CBT centre, partners schools in digital training

Niyi AJALA

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It is a turn-around for educational advancement in Ogbomoso Oyo state as a private school Zoe Schools is set to inaugurate a 700-capacity Computer Based Test (CBT) centre.

The CBT centre located at its Abaa branch along old Ilorin road, opposite Alata Flour Mills, is touted to be the second largest such centre in Nigeria.

The new centre still under construction and which can accommodate about 600 candidates is an addition to its previous 150-capacity centre already accredited by WAEC.

Disclosing this giant feat Monday at a press conference, the founder and CEO of the school Rev’d Niyi Adebayo, revealed the centre would be unveiled September 9 in a ceremony that will be graced by the Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III and other eminent personalities. Incidentally, it coincides with the day Ogbomoso Education Summit would be held. The inauguration ceremony would come up immediately after the education summit scheduled to hold at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH.

Many education stakeholders who attended the event described the achievement as laudable.

In his welcome address titled, “Unveiling digital innovations in schools,” Rev’d Adebayo enthused, “I am honoured to stand before you today to unveil some exciting digital innovations that we are deploying to revolutionize education in our community,” adding, “This conference is not just about Zoe Schools, but about the face of education in our community, state, and, indeed, Nigeria.”

Informing the school had deployed digitilization in terms of ICT/CBT since 9 years ago involving CBT exams for their students and online generation of termly results, against the backdrop of rapid transitioning to digital age, migration to CBT for external exams, adoption in higher institutions and recruitment tests, he emphasized digital innovations and training have become imperative.

He stressed Zoe Schools is out to rapidly bridge the gap, noting, “The world is changing rapidly, and education must keep pace. Our students need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to succeed in a digital age. That’s why we’ve been working tirelessly to integrate technology into our classrooms and create a more engaging and effective learning experience. We have deployed ICT/CBT since the past 9 years. Our children from Basic 3 to SSS 3 have been doing their objective exams as CBT. Parents have been generating results online. Coding and Programming languages have been introduced. Much more will still be done.”

He added, “Roadside mechanics, automobile engineers, rewires and other artisans have been deploying computers to run their trades. Why should schools, which should take the lead despise digitalization or handle it with kid gloves? We do not need to wait until we get under pressure to digitalize; let us start one step at a time, and NOW.”

The clergyman who is also the founder and lead pastor of True Worshippers Church, TWC, subsequently unveiled a wide range of services the leading citadel of learning is offering. “Today, we’re proud to unveil a range of digital innovations that we believe will transform educational services in Ogbomosoland and beyond.”

Niyi and Grace Adebayo – CEO of Zoe Schools. The school had seven branches in three local governments with each branch boasting functional ICT centre

These include interactive digital training (IDT), CBE exams centre, sponsored training, digital education for teachers and adults and intensive digital literacy school for young school leavers.

Giving a breakdown, he stated Zoe Schools will avail schools, both private and public, of comprehensive digital/CBT training for students’ preparation; conduct CBT/CBE registration for schools, organisations and individuals; partner examination bodies like WAEC (which already accredited it), NECO and JAMB to adopt its facility as CBE centre; and avail higher institutions of its use, just as he disclosed plan is afoot for the Nursing Council of Nigeria and others to accredit the centre.

In addition, he challenged politicians, old students associations, NGOs and other public spirited individuals “to include digital training of students in their palliatives and empowerment schemes.”

Digital education for teachers, journalists, artisans and other individuals he stressed are also available on short and long term basis while adding that under their Intensive Digital Literacy School (for young school leavers), “We are offering discounted digital literacy tutorials to students who just finished their secondary schools and are awaiting admission. Those who by virtue of age cannot be admitted into higher institutions of learning now can register for our IDLS for a period between 8 weeks to 3 months (depending on the courses of choice). It is also available as weekend classes.”

Other benefits he highlighted include free internet connectivity and boarding facility, submitting that Zoe Schools located strategically in seven different centres and boasting over 200 motivated staff is “well positioned to give you value for your money.”

Various stakeholders who spoke at the event commended the initiative saying it would contribute immensely to the development of education in Ogbomosoland and position the community for global excellence.

Rev’d Dr Dele Oyedokun Permanent Secretary/Inspector General, Ministry of Education Ogbomoso zone 1, remarked, “On behalf of the Commissioner for Education (Hon Segun Olayiwola), l appreciate the proprietor and proprietoress of this school. I am not surprised because Bro Niyi Adebayo is always proactive and susceptible to taking good advice. I salute your courage.”

Dr Oyedokun encouraged others to emulate the gesture noting Oyo state government is open to collaborations that will uplift the standard of education. “With over 2000 primary schools, over 700 secondary schools with more coming, and with plans by the ministry to go ‘paperless’ in January, the call for collaboration is urgent.”

He as well challenged the audience to always seek to add values wherever they found themselves and not be motivated by what to gain.

Guests at the historic occasion included Dr Dele Oyedokun (PS/IG Ministry of Education); Mrs. Aremu (local inspector of education Ogbomoso South) and other officials of the ministry; Dr Taiwo Oladele (Director TESCOM Ogbomoso Zonal Office who represented the Permanent Secretary/Tutor General TESCOM Ogbomoso, Mrs. Gbemisola Beyioku); representatives of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) and National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) as well as representatives of Federation of Ogbomoso Students Union (FOGSU).

Also in attendance were Acting Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Ogbomoso zone; Rev’d Dr Tayo Adeyanju, Imam of Soun Palace, Imam Habeebulahi Ahmad Tijani Ayilara; Bishop of Anglican Communion Ogbomoso Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Titus Olayinka; Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH Professor Razaq Olatunde ROM Kalilu (represented); Mr. Gboye Otunla (a member of the Education Committee of the 25 year-development plan of Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye); parents among others.