Abuja: A group, PanAfricare Nigeria, has announced its commitment to equip 14 underserved schools across six states with advanced toolkits to bolster Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. Mr. Patrick Adah, the Country Director of PanAfricare Nigeria, disclosed this initiative during an interview in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adah explained that this effort is part of PanAfricare Nigeria’s newly launched ‘Innovation, STEM, and Partnerships for Inclusive and Relevant Education (INSPIRE) project.’ The INSPIRE Box is a sophisticated toolkit containing 3D printers, robotics kits, laptops, virtual reality headsets, coding software, merge cubes, and laboratory equipment, aimed at providing interactive STEM learning opportunities in schools that have historically been underserved.
The project will be rolled out in 14 schools located in Abia, Bauchi, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, and the Federal Capital Territory. Adah mentioned that alongside the distribution of toolkits, there would be teacher training in modern STEM methodologies, mentorship programs, and STEM competitions. These initiatives are in line with Nigeria’s Education Sector Renewal Initiative and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, 9, 10, and 17.
Adah emphasized that STEM education would foster curiosity and innovation among students, transforming their classroom experiences. A deliberate focus will be placed on gender inclusion and accessibility, with over 65 percent of the kits allocated for girls and three percent for students with disabilities. He praised the achievements of Nigerian students in recent international STEM competitions, highlighting accomplishments such as Government Secondary School, Garki, winning the INSPIRE award and qualifying for the World Robotics Championship in Houston, Texas.
Furthermore, Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, received the Innovation Project Award, leading to their qualification for the Open Africa Championship in South Africa, while Government Science Technical College, Garki, earned the Winning Alliance Award, also qualifying for the World Robotics Championship in Houston. Adah called for the consolidation of these achievements by the government and stakeholders, expressing gratitude to the ExxonMobil Foundation for its support in equipping young individuals with modern learning tools and mentorship. He urged for increased sponsorship, partnerships, and collaborations to sustain the empowerment of schools and students in STEM education.
