Lagos State's Permanent Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education, Abayomi Abolaji, praised Rwanda's strides in integrating technology into the education sector during an official visit to Kayonza District, Eastern Province, on August 15.

This was as a delegation from Lagos State, in southwestern Nigeria, visited Kayonza to exchange knowledge and explore collaboration opportunities in education. Their discussions highlighted the progress made by both regions in enhancing education quality, particularly through technology adoption and staff development initiatives.

ALSO READ: Equipping primary school teachers with laptops is key to bridging digital divide

Speaking to journalists, Abolaji put emphasis on the benefits of Rwanda’s technology-driven approach to education, stating: "We have seen a model that can significantly transform Rwanda’s development, with every level of governance playing a role in improving education quality.

ALSO READ: All teachers will have laptops by 2025 - REB boss

"In Lagos, we integrated technology into teaching and learning, providing each student with a tablet, while Rwanda has developed smart classrooms. By learning from each other, we can further enhance and innovate our respective education systems."

Lagos State and Rwanda follow a similar 6-3-3 education structure for primary and secondary education, which officials say presents a valuable opportunity to share insights and collaborate on improving their respective education sectors.

ALSO READ: Rwanda secures Rwf118 billion to digitalise education sector

The Lagos State delegation expressed particular admiration for Rwanda’s student data management system and the Comprehensive Assessment Management Information System (CA-MIS), a software application that enables teachers to track students’ progress and grades continuously, encouraging them to engage in critical thinking and become problem solvers. The system tracks essential student data, including academic performance, infrastructure needs, special programmes, and budgeting. It also records students’ marks and generates school reports, which the visiting delegation recognized as vital for tracking progress and making informed decisions.

ALSO READ: Fifty schools in Rwanda now use Starlink internet

"In Lagos, all teachers are equipped with tablets, which help guide lesson planning and monitor attendance. This approach ensures regularity and enhances teaching quality," Abolaji noted.

With a population of over 20 million people, Lagos State has relied heavily on the private sector to improve educational infrastructure. Abolaji encouraged Rwanda to consider similar partnerships to sustain and improve its education sector.

"As our population grows, substantial investments are required, which the government alone cannot always meet. In Lagos, we have invited the private sector to be part of the learning and teaching process. However, if Rwanda’s government can continue to manage, then private sector involvement may not be as necessary," he added.

Kayonza District Mayor John Bosco Nyemazi said that the Lagos State delegation sought to learn from Rwanda’s experience in improving education. He said their discussions covered Rwanda’s school feeding programme, the use of technology in schools, and the overall evolution of the education sector over the past 30 years.

He added: "They were eager to understand how we have increased school attendance, retained students, and harmonized our education agenda to ensure quality. We shared our experiences and committed to strengthening our partnership.”