SKLD recently hosted an enlightening education showcase event in collaboration with Sterling Bank, aiming to address the significant school supplies gap prevalent in Nigeria’s education sector. This event, titled “Bridging the Education Supplies Gap in Nigeria,” brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on crucial strategies needed to enhance the quality of education in the country.
The event commenced with Tayo Osiyemi, the Executive Director of SKLD, shedding light on the organization’s mission to streamline educational supplies for parents. SKLD, under the leadership of Mrs. Temilola Adepetun, caters to the needs of over 600 schools through its retail outlets spread across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Emphasizing the importance of accessibility, SKLD also operates online, ensuring a wide reach across various educational sectors.
One of SKLD’s primary objectives is to forge strong partnerships with schools, thereby facilitating the procurement process and narrowing the supply gap. Recognizing education as a fundamental right, the organization has integrated social responsibility into its operations, exemplified by its local manufacturing unit producing thousands of garments annually and collaboration with renowned OEM manufacturers.
In a thought-provoking session on Change Management and Technology Integration in Education, Folashade Adefisayo, the former Commissioner of Education in Lagos State, underscored the necessity of adopting technological advancements in educational delivery. Adefisayo emphasized the critical role of teacher training in adapting to evolving educational landscapes, highlighting the diminishing reliance on physical equipment.
A subsequent panel discussion delved into various pivotal factors influencing education quality, encompassing themes such as collaboration, curriculum development, and financial backing. Barr. Doris Chinedu-Okoro, CEO of Evergreen Group, expressed her unwavering commitment to enhancing education quality in the Southeast region, emphasizing the imperative role of technology in educational content delivery.
Dr. Emmanuel Tarfa, an esteemed education consultant, advocated for practical skill development in schools, stressing the importance of real-world applications in curriculum design. Moses Egwumo, the Managing Director of Goldenville Schools, accentuated the significance of empowering educators through continuous learning opportunities and fostering entrepreneurial skills among students.
Njideka Nwabueze, the Group Head of Educational Finance at Sterling Bank, shed light on the bank’s dedicated focus on education financing. Nwabueze highlighted the infrastructure challenges and affordability issues plaguing the education sector, calling for strategic collaborations to alleviate these barriers. Through partnerships with organizations like Chronicles and SKLD, Sterling Bank aims to provide accessible financing solutions to education entrepreneurs, enabling them to realize their projects effectively.
The collaborative efforts between SKLD, Sterling Bank, and other key stakeholders underscore a collective commitment to revolutionizing Nigeria’s education sector. By bridging the school supplies gap, integrating advanced technologies, and ensuring sustainable financing options, these initiatives aim to foster a more inclusive and high-quality education system for all stakeholders involved.
