The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and GetBundi Education Technology has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower students across federal, state and private colleges of education with the right digital skill sets for tomorrow’s classroom.

This collaboration, tagged ''Empowering Tomorrow's Teachers'', aims to train 2,900 students from 29 Federal Colleges of Education in advanced digital literacy and key skills like Creative Media, Excel, and Digital Marketing in the pilot phase before a national rollout as part of national efforts to attract more youths into teaching careers and build a sustainable educational system.

This is even as Nigeria is projected to need 1.4 million teachers by 2030, according to UNESCO. Experts reckon that empowering college of education students with the right digital skill sets is key to making teaching attractive and thus addressing the acute teacher shortage.

The MoU, which was signed on August 16, 2024, by the Executive Secretary, NCCE, Prof Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, for NCCE, and Founder and CEO, GetBundi Education Technology, Osita Oparaugo, comes as a testament to NCCE’s recognition of the critical role of technology in catalysing educational and personal growth of individuals as well as the centrality of digital literacy and digital skills in achieving successful digital transformation in Nigeria.

Under the MoU, NCCE, an agency charged with the responsibility to, amongst other things, lay down and maintain standards for all programmes in teacher education at the sub-degree level of education in Nigeria, will work collaboratively with GetBundi Education Technology to boost the digital literacy level and equip students at various colleges of education across Nigeria with the digital skill sets that will make them better teachers or instantly employable.

The technology company will also use its network of partners to facilitate funding for the pilot phase of the training with cooperation from NCCE and ensure the trained students are exposed to local and international internship programmes and remote job opportunities.

On its part, NCCE will secure 100 students each from the final year or, in colleges without final-year students, second-year students from the 29 federal colleges of education to be part of the pilot phase. It will also provide guidance and support within its statutory mandates for the pilot phase. It will also work with GetBundi to facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders and governing bodies of colleges of education for the smooth running of the collaborative programme, especially the pilot phase.

NCCE will further work with GetBundi to facilitate engagement with relevant stakeholders for funding of the pilot phase which will form the foundation for a national programme across all colleges of education.

Speaking on the collaboration between the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and GetBundi, the Executive Secretary of NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, said it represents a significant milestone in the efforts to address the acute shortage of qualified teachers in Nigeria, especially at the basic education level.

''This initiative is not just about filling gaps in numbers but also about enhancing the quality and attractiveness of the teaching profession by equipping our future teachers with 21st-century digital skills. In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, our teachers must be well-versed in digital tools and technologies that enhance learning outcomes,'' Prof. Okwelle said.

''This collaboration will ensure that our teacher trainees are not only proficient in traditional pedagogies but are also empowered to integrate modern digital methodologies into instructional delivery. By doing so, we make teaching more attractive to young people who see the value in being equipped with relevant skills and in demand globally,'' he said.

Prof. Okwelle further said the initiative, which is in tune with the Federal Ministry of Education's roadmap in education and aligning with the President's Renewed Hope Agenda in the transformation of the education sector, would have long-term benefits for the Colleges of Education across Nigeria.

''By embedding digital skills into our teacher training programmes, we are setting a new standard for teacher education. Our colleges will be at the forefront of educational innovation, producing graduates who are not only competent educators but also leaders in the digital transformation of education. This will undoubtedly contribute to improving the quality of education in Nigeria and will position our teachers as key players in the global educational arena,'' Prof. Okwelle said.

''In the long run, this collaboration will also contribute to narrowing the digital divide in Nigeria, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have access to quality education facilitated by digitally literate teachers. It is a partnership that promises to yield dividends for the entire educational sector, and I am confident that it will play a critical role in achieving our national educational goals,'' he said.

On his part, the Founder and CEO of GetBundi, Osita Oparaugo, said the company was excited to work with NCCE for the benefit of Nigeria.

''Tomorrow's educators should have a solid understanding of digital tools that can greatly enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement. In a world where digital literacy is crucial, teachers who are comfortable with technology can better prepare their students for the future workforce, where tech skills are increasingly in demand,'' Oparaugo said.

''Allowing colleges of education students to learn any of the digital skill courses under our MoU with NCCE is a game changer. It will make the NCE certificate attractive as graduates will be job-ready teachers or instantly employable. The disparity that exists between university degree holders and NCE holders will vanish; it will be skill over degree,'' he said.