Port Harcourt (Nigeria): The Bank of Industry (BOI) has announced funding opportunities for schools in Rivers to acquire technology equipment, supporting their smooth transition to the Computer-Based West African Senior School Certificate Examination (CB-WASSCE).
The BOI South-South Divisional Head, Mr. Pacqueens Irabor, disclosed a sensitisation programme organised for school owners in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The programme was organised by BOI, in conjunction with Teadro Systems Ltd, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Hewlett-Packard Company, Lenovo, and Canon.
Irabor said that the programme was aligning with the Federal Government’s initiative to modernise the education sector, promote digital literacy, and reduce reliance on analogue systems.
According to him, the bank was committed to funding education projects that promote digital transformation and sustainable development.
He listed the loan funding options for schools, including the Rural Area Programme on Investment for Development, initiated by BOI to enhance schools and other businesses.
He said that the loan offers a five per cent interest rate for businesses in rural areas, with a maximum of N10 million facility.
“The loan tenure is three years, with a three-month moratorium on interest and principal payments. A 40 per cent grant component is also available after paying back the loan,” Irabor said.
He also stated that the Federal Government’s MSME Intervention Fund had allocated N200 billion for MSMEs, with N75 billion designated for manufacturers and N75 billion for other businesses.
“The interest rate is nine per cent per annum, with a three-year tenure. Businesses can access up to N1 billion for manufacturing and N5 million for MSMEs,” he said.
Earlier, the WAEC Zonal Coordinator in Port Harcourt, Mr Adeniran-Amusan Akim, said that the computer-based WASSCE for all schools in Nigeria would start with the 2026 diet.
Akim said that the sensitisation started in Abuja and would be carried out in all the states of the federation.
He expressed the confidence that Rivers would be able to pioneer the computer-based examination, seeing its interest and turnout during the programme.
According to him, the state has shown remarkable readiness for the transition from traditional pen-and-paper exams to computer-based exams.
“I doubt if other states have done something like this sensitisation, so I’m highly impressed. That means this state is ready to comply with the requirements for the transition,” Akim said.
He further said that WAEC had designated specific centres for schools that may not meet the required standards for computer-based exams. These schools will be moved to designated centers where students can take their exams.
“Schools that wish to conduct exams within their premises must ensure they meet WAEC’s requirements, including necessary equipment and infrastructure,” he said.
Akim emphasised that the computer-based exam system was here to stay, and schools must adapt to the new format.
Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Teadro Group, Mrs Ehijinwa Temitope, said that every school needed an ICT centre because that is the present and the future.
Temitope highlighted the company’s commitment to supporting schools, saying that school education is the future and emphasised the need for well-meaning organisations to support schools.
She urged schools to partner with Teadro Group to upgrade their ICT centres with cutting-edge technology.
We train schools to have the right educational information regarding the best equipment to use for the ICT centres. This initiative allows schools to directly communicate with Original Equipment Manufacturers, like HP, Lenovo, and Logitech, securing the best deals under school education discounts,” she said.
The highlight of the programme was the donation of an HP computer set, a Canon printer machine, a Lenovo tablet, a keyboard, and a mouse to the winners of the raffle draw organised by Teadro Group to promote technological advancement in schools.
