The Covid-19 pandemic has made it obvious that we can’t continue life as we used to and we must embrace the Inclusive Digital Education Scheme (IDES). Covid-19 came as a wildfire, distorting the balance of economies and developments globally, but the fact remains that the world must move on from present realities. In achieving developmental resurgence towards a post-pandemic era, there must be effective synergy between the government, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the youth.
The inclusive digital education scheme (IDES) is a proposed blueprint for the emergence of stronger post-pandemic socio-economic development. Simply put, IDES is all about learning skills online.
The IDES is any training that capitalizes on the ease of the internet to make a profit from the global market circle and also to procure digital solutions to challenges. It is an open secret that during the peak of the worldwide pandemic, economies came to a halt in what is popularly known as ‘lockdown’. However, Forex (foreign exchange) continued to prevail as the most liquid global financial market. According to Investopedia, the forex market is an electronic network of banks, brokers, institutions and individual traders (mostly trading through brokers or banks)
With trillions of U.S. Dollars in daily circulation in the forex market, little is known about this feasible means of financial diversification amongst Nigerian youths. Less is also known of the internet being a solution hub to developmental challenges.
Implementing IDES
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Restructuring Of Educational Curriculums
The Ministry of Education must expand educational curriculums in Nigerian schools to accommodate the acquisition of digital financial education and other allied digital skills of the contemporary. As a prime mover to this thematic area, the legislative chambers must make laws favouring this vision. Furthermore, the government must be willing to establish digital educational centres across the nation for Nigerian youths to acquire digital skills at little or no cost.
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Establishment of a Government-Owned Internet Service provider (ISP)
World Bank studies show that raising internet penetration to 75% of the population in all developing countries (from the current level of approximately 35%) would add as much as the US $2 trillion to the gross domestic product (GDP)… Hence, for Nigerians to carve a niche for themselves in the global digital circle, there must be the availability of internet access. In this regard, the Nigerian government must make internet facilities affordable to its citizens (irrespective of geographical location). This development could be spearheaded by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Strengthening IDES
Tech savvies who are products of IDES must complement government and civil society organizations (CSOs) efforts, by finding digital solutions to the ravaging effects of the pandemic. This could be achieved by forming digital research groups in schools and in digital training centres nationwide. The discoveries from conducted research can then be utilized by the government and CSOs for improved national development.
In conclusion, the realities of Covid-19 expose Nigerians to endless possibilities for more robust post-pandemic development. The flourishing ambience Nigerians require for participation in the global trend for a more robust post-pandemic development is an IDES. Moreover, it will be equipping the labour force with digital skills.
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