‘How EAC’s online education initiative will end mass failure’

The Educational Advancement Centre, an Advanced Level education centre situated in Ibadan, Oyo State, has, over the years, produced students with outstanding results in Cambridge Advanced Level examinations. It recently came up with what it calls online education programme for secondary school students. Its director, Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, spoke with KEHINDE ADIO on the new programme and other issues. Excerpts:

 

WHAT does EAC online education intervention stand for?

It is designed to address mass failure in the West African School Certificate Examinations across African countries. We felt the need to make all our tested and effective teaching and research facilities accessible to African students as an attempt to bridge the gap between mass failure and success, especially in Nigeria.

 

How can students enjoy this online facility and how many subjects do you make provision for?

Interested students are expected to register online through our website for the programme. After the registration is completed, lectures begin immediately. All our students will have access to our experienced lecturers and educational materials, which will enhance their learning and tendency to succeed brilliantly in the WASSCE, National Examination Council’s examination or any related Ordinary Level examinations.

By the grace of God, we have what it takes to train students to achieve greater height in education. If students are taught what is required of them within the syllabus, and they are given the expectation of the examiners for each subject, there is no reason for them to fail any examination. This is what we have put in place at EAC Online Education Programme to address all problems relating to learning, preparing and writing the examination with ease. For now, we have 15 subjects cutting across science and non-science subjects.

 

Can you throw more light on your ongoing vocational training by Orion Edutech?

In 2014, based on the recommendation of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the West African Examination Council started to test students in 34 vocational subjects as a way of promoting entrepreneurship among secondary school students. There was little patronage for lack of professional teachers for them. This informed our decision to invite Orion Edutech Pvt. Limited, the biggest vocational trainer in India, to set up an off-shoot for the African continent.

In this vocational programme, the master professional trainers based in India will be teaching students via the internet, live. The students will be able to ask questions and the teacher will be able to respond in real time. There will be an assigned assistant teacher who will be present in class to direct activities.

It has become expedient for every school in Nigeria to embrace this India-based vocational training. The subjects vary from GSM phones maintenance and repair to Graphic Design, to Cosmetology.