Oyo State government has commenced a two-day training in Robotic, Coding and Artificial Intelligence for public, private secondary and primary school students across the state.
The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology was in collaboration with Coderina EDTECH, an educational outfit promoting education for youth and digital literacy.
Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in the state, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, while declaring the training open at the Government College, Apata, Ibadan said that the initiative was aimed at equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in a technology-driven world.
He stressed that the workshop was a starting point to develop students in the state in the area of robotic, coding and artificial intelligence.
The commissioner explained that it was important for individuals, particularly those in the teaching profession to acquire knowledge about the emerging issues, technology and innovation to be able to compete favourably among their peers.
Speaking further at the event that featured the symbolic presentation of donated Robots and First LEGO league challenge kits to 20 schools, Adelabu, expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with credible private organisations to develop the education sector of the state.
He noted that the ministry would continue to consider and include registered private schools in Oyo State in government’s laudable intervention programmes, noting that students in both the private and public schools deserve equal opportunity.
In his remarks, the board Chairman, Coredina EDTECH, Mr. Niyi Femi expressed concern over the inability of individuals to take advantage of technology at their disposal.
He added that the workshop would enable participants understand how best to make use of the critical materials to be given to them at the end of the workshop to solve problems in their immediate environments.
Mr. Femi also stressed that the platform will also prepare the students for a mock competition on robotic and artificial intelligence in Oyo State and National championship.
He lauded the leadership of the ministry for their support and the cooperation extended to his team.
The chairman described the workshop as a platform to close the gap between private and public school students.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Salaudeen Al-ameen, from Oyo State School of Science, Ogbomoso; Olalere Favour, Loyola College, Ibadan and Alaka Balikis from School of Science, Oyo, they welcomed their participation as a rare opportunity, saying it would enable them to know more about technology and artificial intelligence in particular.
