Lagos Begins Digital Learning Expansion, Distributes Tablets to Junior Secondary Schools Under BESDA

The Lagos State Government has commenced the distribution of tablet devices to junior secondary schools across the state as part of efforts to deepen technology-driven education and strengthen data-based planning in the education sector.

The initiative, carried out through the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education under the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) Programme, was officially launched during a presentation ceremony held at the ministry’s conference room in Alausa, Ikeja.

BESDA is a collaborative programme of the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Education, implemented through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), to improve education management and promote evidence-based decision-making in participating states.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Project, Planning and Research, Mr. Opeyemi Martins, disclosed that every junior secondary school participating in the programme would receive 30GB of monthly data from Airtel to facilitate internet connectivity and support effective teaching, learning and school administration.

Martins noted that the provision of internet data would complement the deployment of the tablets by ensuring that schools have the digital resources required for efficient data management and improved educational service delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Basic Education Services, Mrs. Toyin Oyedele, urged school administrators and teachers to safeguard the devices, stressing that the tablets remain government property.

She explained that the devices are institutional assets and should be handed over to successors whenever principals or teachers are transferred to another school.

Stakeholders at the ceremony described the initiative as a major milestone in the state’s drive towards digital transformation in education, noting that the tablets would enhance data collection, monitoring, reporting and planning, while improving learning outcomes across public schools.

According to the ministry, 160 tablet devices were distributed during the first phase of the rollout to designated junior secondary schools across Lagos State. The programme is expected to be expanded to all junior secondary schools in subsequent phases.

The government said the initiative reflects its commitment, alongside the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Education and UBEC, to leveraging technology to strengthen education management, improve accountability and support evidence-based policy formulation.

It added that the BESDA Programme is expected to enhance education management processes and equip schools with the digital tools required to deliver more efficient, transparent and sustainable educational services across Lagos State.