IBADAN: TECH-EDUCATION INITIATIVE

- TECH FOR RURAL EDUCATION

Background: Why This Project is Important

In Nigeria, the digital divide between urban and rural areas is stark. According to the National

Bureau of Statistics (2023), while urban centers boast internet penetration rates of over 70%,

rural areas lag behind with rates as low as 30%. This divide has severe implications for

education, where students in rural areas often lack access to digital tools and resources that are

increasingly becoming essential for learning in the 21st century.

A UNESCO report (2021) highlights that over 40% of rural schools in Nigeria do not have

access to basic technological infrastructure, such as computers or reliable internet. This lack of

access exacerbates educational inequities, leaving rural students less prepared for the digital

economy. In Ekiti State, where over 65% of the population resides in rural areas, the impact of

this digital gap is particularly pronounced. The absence of digital literacy among students not

only limits their future employability but also hinders their ability to participate in a rapidly

digitalizing world.

The "Tech for Rural Education" project aims to bridge this gap by equipping rural schools in

Ekiti with the necessary technological tools and training. By integrating technology into the rural

education system, we will empower students, enhance their learning outcomes, and prepare them

for the demands of the modern workforce. This initiative is crucial for fostering economic

growth and ensuring that no student is left behind in the digital age.
Project Summary (What is the Project?)

The *Tech for Rural Education* project is focused on equipping 30 boys and girls with 21st-

century skills, including graphic design, web development, and basic coding. These skills are

crucial in a rapidly evolving technological landscape where digital literacy is key to

empowerment, innovation, and problem-solving.

This project will empower vulnerable youth in rural areas by providing them with marketable

skills that can be leveraged for financial independence. Additionally, it will promote educational

equity by ensuring that both boys and girls have access to technology-driven learning

opportunities, fostering inclusivity and bridging the digital divide.

*Tech for Rural Education* aims to enhance the capacity of young students in rural communities

to participate effectively in the digital world. The project targets secondary school students, both

boys and girls, aged 13 and above, living in underserved rural areas. This initiative will prepare

them for future career opportunities and community development, ultimately contributing to the

socio-economic growth of their communities.

Project Goal and Objectives

**Goal:**

The goal of the *Tech for Rural Education* project is to empower 30 boys and girls with

comprehensive training in essential 21st-century digital skills, including graphic design, web

development, and basic coding. By the end of the project, participants will have acquired

practical expertise in these areas, enabling them to develop creative digital content, build

functional websites, and gain foundational coding skills.

**Specific Objectives:**

1. **Develop Digital Literacy:**

Train participants in key digital skills such as graphic design, web development, and basic

coding, enabling them to create visually appealing digital content and develop functional

websites. This training will enhance their ability to express creativity through digital mediums

and effectively communicate ideas.

2. **Promote Educational Equity:**

Provide equal access to technology-driven learning opportunities for both boys and girls in

rural areas, promoting inclusivity and reducing the digital divide. This objective aims to create a

more balanced and equitable learning environment, empowering all participants to thrive in a

technology-driven world.

3. **Foster Economic Empowerment:**

Equip participants with marketable skills that can be monetized, thus contributing to their

financial independence. This will also support local economic growth by enabling participants to

engage in freelance or entrepreneurial activities within their communities.

4. **Support Community Development:**

Encourage digital innovation in rural areas by building the capacity of young students to

participate in the digital economy. This objective includes fostering private sector-led growth
and addressing local challenges such as unemployment, low self-esteem, and lack of access to

technology.

5. **Enhance Career Readiness:**

Prepare participants for future career opportunities in the digital and technology sectors by

providing them with foundational knowledge and skills that are highly valued in the modern

workforce. This will help bridge the gap between rural education and global digital trends,

ensuring that participants are well-prepared for the demands of the 21st-century job market.

Key Activities & Timeline

- Obtaining formal approval to implement the project: This activity is scheduled for August

2023. It involves securing the necessary permissions and endorsements to move forward with the

project.

- Community Entry: Also planned for August 2023, this stage includes engaging with

community leaders, stakeholders, and residents to introduce the project and gain their support.

- School-based, community-level, and online recruitment: In August 2023, the focus will be on

recruiting participants through schools, community channels, and online platforms to ensure a

diverse and inclusive group of beneficiaries.

- Development of digital and employability training curriculum: Scheduled for August 2023, this

activity involves creating a tailored curriculum designed by digital skills and training experts.

The curriculum will address the unique needs of the beneficiaries and build on previous

successful models.
- Baseline evaluation (Pre-test): Set for September 2023, this evaluation will assess the

participants' initial skill levels to tailor the training accordingly and measure progress effectively.

- Computer literacy training: Taking place from September to October 2023, this four-week

training will cover essential computer skills, providing participants with a strong foundation.

- Basic Introduction to Web Design, Graphic Design, and Social Media Management: Running

concurrently from September to October 2023, this training will introduce participants to key

digital skills in web design, graphic design, and social media management.

- Endline evaluation (Post-test): Planned for October 2023, this evaluation will assess the

outcomes of the training and the impact on participants' skills.

- Innovation Conference: In October 2023, the program will culminate in an Innovation

Conference. This event will serve as a graduation ceremony where participants will present their

projects and assignments, showcasing what they’ve learned.

Timeline for implementation

Not yet stipulated

Expected outcomes and brief monitoring and evaluation plan

This programme aims to empower boys and girls in rural areas with essential technology skills,

fostering increased digital literacy and technical proficiency. Participants will develop

foundational skills in computer usage, internet navigation, and essential software applications,
enhancing their ability to engage with modern educational tools. The training will also focus on

equipping participants with versatile skills in graphic design, web design, and basic

programming, thereby improving their employability and potential for career advancement in

various industries. Additionally, the initiative is expected to foster personal growth, boost

confidence, and enhance communication skills among participants, enabling them to build

creative portfolios and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team will play a crucial role in ensuring the initiative's

effective implementation and assessing its impact. Prior to the project's commencement, the

M&E team will undergo training to clearly understand their roles and responsibilities, ensuring

they are well-prepared to monitor progress. Baseline data will be collected to assess participants'

existing knowledge of ICT, technical skills, and employability readiness, providing a foundation

for measuring the project's impact. The team will conduct regular monitoring throughout the

project, collecting data via attendance registers, progress reports, and participant feedback, which

will inform ongoing adjustments to the project's execution.

The M&E team will also test the curriculum in selected communities, gathering feedback from

participants and instructors to refine the training content as needed. This iterative process will

ensure that the curriculum is tailored to meet the specific needs of the rural participants,

enhancing its effectiveness. At the conclusion of the initiative, endline data will be collected to

measure the overall impact on participants' knowledge, skills, and employability. This final

evaluation will include assessments, surveys, and interviews, providing a comprehensive

understanding of the project's outcomes.

The findings from the M&E process will be documented in detailed reports, which will guide

future tech-education initiatives for rural areas. These reports will not only assess the success of

the current project but also contribute to the continuous improvement of similar programs,

ensuring that they are better equipped to meet the needs of rural youth in the future.

Sustainability plan

To ensure the sustainability of the IBADAN: TECH-EDUCATION INITIATIVE, we will

introduce annual Tech Competitions in beneficiary schools. These events will encourage students

to continually apply their ICT skills, fostering a culture of ongoing digital learning.

We will also establish Tech Clubs within the schools to provide a consistent platform for

students to engage in ICT activities and collaborate on projects. These clubs will help sustain

interest and growth in tech skills beyond the initial training.

Additionally, we will partner with local government and industry to secure internships for top

participants, providing real-world experience and a pathway to potential careers in technology.

Lastly, an ongoing mentorship program will connect participants with experienced professionals,

offering continuous support. As participants gain expertise, they will be encouraged to mentor

new learners, ensuring the initiative's long-term impact.

Summary (high-level) budget

Proposed number of participants:

Proposed dates:

Proposed number of beneficiary communities:

Proposed communities:

S/N Description Cost (₦)

Sub-Total

TOTAL BUDGET
 LOGICAL FRAMEWORK

GOALS OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES OUTPUT OUTCOME INDICATORS ASSUMPTIONS

Empower 30 boys 1. Develop 1. Obtain 1. Formal 1. Enhanced 1. Number of 1. Sufficient support

and girls from Digital formal project digital literacy participants and buy-in from
rural areas in Literacy: Train approval to approval among completing the community leaders
Ekiti State with participants in implement the secured. participants. training. and stakeholders.
essential 21st- key digital project. 2. 2. Reduced 2. Percentage 2. Availability of
century digital skills to enable 2. Conduct Community digital divide increase in digital reliable internet and
skills, including them to create community support in targeted literacy as technological
graphic design, visually entry and gained. rural areas. measured by pre- infrastructure for
web development, appealing engagement. 3. 30 3. Improved test and post-test training.
and basic coding, digital content 3. Recruit participants financial scores. 3. Continued interest
to enhance their and develop participants selected independence 3. Number of and engagement
future functional through and through participants from participants
employability and websites. schools, enrolled. marketable engaging in throughout the
contribute to local 2. Promote community 4. skills. freelance or project.
socio-economic Educational channels, and Curriculum 4. Increased entrepreneurial 4. Effective
growth. Equity: Ensure online developed digital activities post- collaboration with
equal access to platforms. and innovation in training. local government and
technology- 4. Develop a finalized. rural 4. Number of industry for
driven learning digital and 5. Baseline communities. community internships and
opportunities employability data 5. Better projects initiated mentorship.
for both boys training collected. career by participants 5. Ongoing funding
and girls in curriculum. 6. readiness and using digital and resource
rural areas. 5. Conduct Participants employability skills. availability for the
3. Foster baseline trained in among 5. Employment or project and
Economic evaluation computer participants. internship rates sustainability efforts.
Empowerment (pre-test). literacy. among
: Equip 6. Provide participants post-
participants computer training.
7.
with literacy
Participants
marketable training.
trained in
 skills to 7. Offer basic web design,
achieve training in graphic
financial web design, design, and
independence. graphic social
4. Support design, and media
Community social media managemen
Development: management. t.
Build the 8. Conduct 8. Endline
capacity of endline data
students to evaluation collected.
participate in (post-test). 9.
the digital 9. Organize an Participants
economy, Innovation present
addressing Conference to projects at
local showcase the
challenges. participants' Innovation
5. Enhance achievements. Conference.
Career
Readiness:
Prepare
participants for
future career
opportunities
in the digital
and
technology
sectors.

OR
LOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Project Components Description

Empower 30 boys and girls from rural areas in Ekiti

State with essential 21st-century digital skills,
Goal including graphic design, web development, and
basic coding, to enhance their future employability
and contribute to local socio-economic growth.

1. Develop Digital Literacy: Train participants in

key digital skills to enable them to create visually
appealing digital content and develop functional
websites.
2. Promote Educational Equity: Ensure equal access
to technology-driven learning opportunities for both
boys and girls in rural areas.
3. Foster Economic Empowerment: Equip
Objectives
participants with marketable skills to achieve
financial independence.
4. Support Community Development: Build the
capacity of students to participate in the digital
economy, addressing local challenges.
5. Enhance Career Readiness: Prepare participants
for future career opportunities in the digital and
technology sectors.

Activities 1. Obtain formal approval to implement the project.

2. Conduct community entry and engagement.
3. Recruit participants through schools, community
channels, and online platforms.
4. Develop a digital and employability training
curriculum.
5. Conduct baseline evaluation (pre-test).
 6. Provide computer literacy training.
7. Offer basic training in web design, graphic
design, and social media management.
8. Conduct endline evaluation (post-test).
9. Organize an Innovation Conference to showcase
participants' achievements.

1. Formal project approval secured.

2. Community support gained.
3. 30 participants selected and enrolled.
4. Curriculum developed and finalized.
5. Baseline data collected.
Outputs 6. Participants trained in computer literacy.
7. Participants trained in web design, graphic
design, and social media management.
8. Endline data collected.
9. Participants present projects at the Innovation
Conference.

1. Enhanced digital literacy among participants.

2. Reduced digital divide in targeted rural areas.
3. Improved financial independence through
Outcomes marketable skills.
4. Increased digital innovation in rural communities.
5. Better career readiness and employability among
participants.

Indicators 1. Number of participants completing the training.

2. Percentage increase in digital literacy as
measured by pre-test and post-test scores.
3. Number of participants engaging in freelance or
entrepreneurial activities post-training.
4. Number of community projects initiated by
participants using digital skills.
5. Employment or internship rates among
 participants post-training.

1. Sufficient support and buy-in from community

leaders and stakeholders.
2. Availability of reliable internet and technological
infrastructure for training.
3. Continued interest and engagement from
Assumptions
participants throughout the project.
4. Effective collaboration with local government
and industry for internships and mentorship.
5. Ongoing funding and resource availability for the
project and sustainability efforts.