By John Ikani
GetBundi, an educational technology platform designed to ease access to high-quality education for young Africans has been launched in Lagos.
GetBundi will target to equip young people with Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with a special focus on six years of post-post-primary school.
Speaking at the launch on Thursday, Osita Oparaugo, Founder/CEO of GetBundi, said STEM learning encourages creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills which are very relevant in the 21st-century world, and prepare developing economies to compete in the global market.
“Singapore used science and technology in turning from a developing country to a developed country. China went from having a no-flush problem to being a global leader in science. These countries have flourishing economies as a result of the critical role scientific and technological advancements have played,” Oparaugo said.
“What China and Singapore have achieved in less than 50 years, Africa can also attain using STEM Education and STI Skills acquisition, especially when one considers the abundance of human capital and the resilient nature of Africans, especially the youths,” he said.
GetBundi currently has over 1,008 hours of audio-visual content on the platform covering six years of secondary school work using the West African curriculum.
“Our STEM education is West African curriculum-based, is purposed for post-primary school students from JSS1/Year 7 to SSS3/Year 12, and covers subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, ICT, Data Processing, English Language, etc.
“It can be used as teachers’ aid, support to in-school students as continuous learning, and as a study guide for out-of-school students.
“It can also be used to prepare those standing for competitive examinations like WAEC, NECO or University and Tertiary Matriculation Examinations organized by JAMB,” said Oparaugo.
He went on to note that GetBundi was working to include three years of JAMB, IELTS, and TOEFL revision classes, as well as Science, Technology, and Innovation skills in its next product deployment.
He said the STI skills would include video editing, digital marketing, graphic design, and coding courses, and users who successfully complete a course and its accompanying assignments would earn a diploma.
“Acquiring digital skills is a must for anyone in the 21st century, especially in Africa. STEM-focused remote jobs are in high demand and are well-paying, and with so many people willing to make the switch but not knowing where to start, GetBundi is the one-stop-shop for you,” he said.
The GetBundi founder said youth acquisition of STI/digital skills would boost trade and help to build an African market driven by technology.
“Our projection is to support and upskill 10 million Africans in the next 10 years through STEM and STI digital skills acquisition; a strategy that we have tagged as ‘The GetBundi Vision 2032’,” he said.
He called on the African Union and regional economic organizations on the continent, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), to key into the vision.
“There is no better time than now for Africa to rethink and refocus education towards STEM and to embark on STI skills acquisition,” he said.
