Innovative Tech: Sen. Abiru Innovation Lab. graduates 1,500 teachers

No fewer than 1,500 teachers in public and private schools across the Lagos East Senatorial District have graduated from the Sen. Abiru Innovation Lab. (SAIL) with Innovative Technology skills.

Sen. Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, said this on Monday in Lagos at the graduation ceremony of the 1,500 graduate teachers who successfully completed their three months training.

It was reported that the beneficiaries had enrolled for the 2022 Class of the Lagos East Teachers Fellowship (Cohort 2) at the Sen. Abiru Innovation Lab. (SAIL).

Abiru said out of 1,500 teachers who applied for the training, 950 got enrolled for the online class for 30 days, 120 outstanding participants got admitted into physical class, while 105 graduated.

The senator, represented by his Special Adviser on Constituency Matters, Dr Saheed Ibikunle, congratulated the teachers on the successful completion of their training.

He urged them to impact skills they acquired from the training to their students.

The lawmaker said SAIL was the first of its kind Community Innovation Space, set up in partnership with a renowned Technology and Social Enterprise company, The Co-creation Hub (Cc-HUB).

“This is to train youths in the Lagos East senatorial district on relevant digital and innovation skills, and build the best entrepreneurs.

“This will make them to compete in the ever-dynamic global economy. Lagos East Teachers’ Fellowship is one of the leading cutting-edge programmes at SAIL.

In his opening remarks, the SAIL Project consultant, Mr Deji Abisola, said the Lagos East Teachers Fellowship, had provided an invaluable platform for educators to learn, grow, and develop their skills.

Abisola noted that the 2023 graduates had been trained in Inquiry-Based Learning, a cutting-edge pedagogical approach that encourages students to actively engage with the learning process.

The consultant said the dynamic method was designed to stimulate curiosity and foster critical thinking, preparing the young minds of today for the challenges of tomorrow.

“In addition to Inquiry-Based Learning, our graduates (Lagos East Teachers’ Fellowship) have also been equipped with the knowledge and tools to integrate technology into their classrooms effectively.

“This is particularly significant as we live in a rapidly evolving digital age where technology has become an indispensable part of our daily lives.

“This is by embracing the use of technology in education, we are opening doors to a myriad of opportunities that will enhance the learning experiences of our students and ultimately, shape the future of our society”.

Abisola also announced the launch of Ikorodu Teachers Lounge, a virtual community, that would further deepen knowledge sharing and interactions among teachers who passed through the SAIL.

He said the Ikorodu Teachers Lounge was a testament to their commitment to fostering a strong community of educators who were dedicated to the continuous improvement of teaching and learning.

The consultant said this innovative space was made possible by the visionary leadership of Sen. Abiru through his endowment pillar platform, the TACT Foundation.

Abisola added that it would also serve as a hub for educators to connect, collaborate, and share best practices with one another.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Adedeji Owoyade, in his remark said he taught at the Epe Senior Grammar School, Epe, Lagos State.

Owoyade, who belonged to Cohort II, Non-STEM Group I, of the Lagos East Teachers’ Fellowship, said the programme had greatly impacted him as a classroom teacher.

“My exposure to the inquiry-based method of teaching has opened my eyes to the new way of thinking and planning. With my knowledge of Google Slides, Render Forest, in short, Legend, Canva, and 2D and 3D Animation.

“I have learned better ways to develop and use instructional materials in my classroom.

“Also, my engagement with students has given them more opportunities to think, reflect and own ideas on topics and issues. It has also improved their abilities as individual learners.

“I hereby recommend the Lagos East Teachers Fellowship to all teachers in Ikorodu and Lagos State,” he said.