BY CHUKS OLUIGBO
GetBundi, an educational technology platform focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and STI digital skills, has launched in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.
The product was launched on Thursday with a target to equip youths across Africa with high quality, accessible and affordable STEM education as well as STI digital skills.
The platform’s focus on STEM and STI digital skills stems from the relevance of these areas of knowledge in today’s world and how they have helped countries of the world to transform from backward to technologically advanced countries, Osita Oparaugo, founder/CEO of GetBundi, said at the launch.
STEM learning encourages creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills which are very relevant in the 21st century world, and so prepares developing economies to compete in the global market, he said.
“Singapore used science and technology in turning from a developing country to 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’s focus is also on six years of post-primary education, and Oparaugo said there are currently 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. There is also revision for competitive examinations, in particular, WAEC Examinations for up to three years with monthly LIVE question and answer sessions,” he said.
Oparaugo, who is also the founder of Ogelle, Africa’s first user generated content platform, said GetBundi is not intended as a replacement for the traditional method of teaching or physical secondary school but as a supplement that can be used as a teachers’ aid, to support continuous learning in-school students and as a study guide for out-of-school students/homeschoolers.
“Also, GetBundi can be used to prepare students for exams. The courses are also useful for persons who, for instance, intend to retake examinations, change their course at the university or transition to another career that is science-based,” he said.
He announced 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 organisations 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.
