Bridging the Digital Divide: How ICT Training Is Empowering Rural Teachers in Southern Kaduna

In many rural communities across Nigeria, education is burdened by numerous challenges — lack of infrastructure, under-resourced schools, insufficient teacher training, and, more recently, a growing digital divide. One of the most pressing concerns is the limited exposure of rural teachers to Information and Communication Technology (ICT), a gap that continues to affect how students in underserved communities learn and compete globally.

At Community Outreach for Educational Change (COEC), we believe that rural children deserve equal access to quality education, no matter their location or background. That’s why, under our Liberated Girl (TLG) Project, we organized a timely and impactful ICT training program for teachers across nine partner schools in Southern Kaduna.

Why ICT Training Matters

In today’s world, ICT is not just an add-on — it is a core part of effective teaching and learning. Yet, many rural educators lack access to digital tools, and even when devices are present, teachers often do not have the confidence or skills to use them effectively.

By providing targeted training to teachers, COEC is equipping them to:

• Use digital tools to plan and deliver interactive lessons

• Access online educational content and platforms

• Track learners’ progress using digital methods

• Introduce students, especially girls, to the world of technology

The training focused not only on basic digital literacy but also on how ICT can enhance lesson delivery, especially for girls under the TLG initiative, who are often at risk of being left behind in both education and digital inclusion.

The Impact So Far

The results have been inspiring. Teachers who previously felt uncertain or disconnected from technology now express confidence and enthusiasm to bring ICT into their classrooms. Their learners, in turn, are showing increased interest in lessons, especially when digital tools are involved.

“This training has changed the way I see teaching. I now have new ideas on how to make my class more engaging using tools like videos and slides,” — said one participant from a partner school.

Beyond skill acquisition, the training fostered collaboration, sharing of best practices, and a renewed sense of purpose among educators.

The Bigger Picture: What More Can Be Done

While this training is a great step forward, we recognize that bridging the digital divide is a continuous process. Here’s what we see as the next steps:

• Continuous capacity-building: More training sessions to deepen ICT competencies.

• Digital infrastructure: Provision of devices, internet access, and sustainable power solutions (e.g., solar kits).

• Integration into curriculum: Embedding ICT into regular teaching across all subjects.

• Monitoring and mentorship: Ongoing support to help teachers troubleshoot challenges and innovate.

• Community awareness: Sensitizing parents and stakeholders to value and support ICT in education.

Our Commitment

We’re not just training teachers — we’re transforming classrooms and shaping futures. With ICT, we are creating opportunities for every rural learner, especially girls, to dream bigger, learn better, and compete confidently in today’s digital world.

As we continue this journey, we invite partners, donors, community members, and government stakeholders to join hands with us. Together, we can ensure that rural education is not left behind in the digital age.

Learn more about our work at Community Outreach for Educational Change, and follow our updates on social media.facebook.com/coecnigeria

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