Yesterday witnessed the gathering of emminent personalities in the state of the virtue where the launch of the Opon Imon was made.Here are the facts about the tablet.

DOES THIS ENHANCE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES OR IS THIS A MISPLACED PRIORITY?

The Opon Imo project is one component within an integrated, robust and exciting education reform programme currently going on, in the State of Osun, Nigeria.

Convinced that the people are her best asset, Osun under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration is committing unprecedented resources to radically improve of the education sector and provide our country an inspiring reform model. Opon Imo is an innovative fraction of this effort.

The reform programme entails the following:

O SCHOOL project, where around 100 model schools are being built.

O MEAL project, free daily lunch meal for 254,000 elementary year 1 – 4 kids.

O UNIFORM project, standardization­ of school uniform for 750,000 students.

A centre of excellence pedagogical institute for teacher capacity development. Building of 9 Vocational Education Centre for Skills development.

The Opon Imo Project.

As can be noted Opon Imo is not a standalone, out of context initiative. It is a complementary, and modernist attempt to use the latest global technology , to give OSUN students a competitive advantage in the learning process. This is in line with the current practice of the most progressive states and countries in the world.

For pointers in this direction , please see:

Tablets for Education in UK Classrooms http:///­166bJD7

Tablet for Education in Thailand http://zd.net/­10jEG6p

Tablets for Education in Turkey http:///­192bhEo

Education Tablets by Google http://zd.net/­180chdc

Education Tablets by Apple http:///­11WbI3c

WHAT IS THE VISION BEHIND THIS PROJECT?

* To democratize access to learning.

* To complement current education reform.

* To help senior secondary school student better prepare for School Leaving ?Examinations.

* To use technology as a silver bullet to the learning problem in Osun.

WHY TABLET PC AND NOT A TRADITIONAL PC?

* Allows for mobility of student and tool.

* It is the most cost effective option given all variables

* Access to alternative powering – as it can now be powered in school and home

* It is a novel idea. It makes it even more aspirational for the user and community

* It gives the idea of a personal touch and thus aids personal studying opportunities any time of day

HOW DOES IT CONCISELY TACKLE PROBLEM WITH EDUCATION IN THE STATE?

* Unprecedented access to learning content.

* Huge cost saving in Text books procurement for the State.

* Access to updated information and trends by both the teachers and students.

HAS THE COUNTRY’S ELECTRICITY CHALLENGES BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION?

The Mobile nature of the Opon Imo device allows for flexibility in powering. It can be charged either in school or at home or both. In addition, communal Solar Chargers will be provided in schools to allow the students access to power.

The Electricity status of the country was a big consideration in the creation of this custom made tablets. The availability of recharge options and ease of recharge were carefully and strongly considered when approving this project.

WILL STUDENTS BE ABLE TO USE THIS TOOL?

The project was conceived for the Students; the technology was built to enable the Students; the success indicators are the Students! To further ensure there are no surprises with the results; a cultural and educational engagement program is being put in place to assess the acceptance of the Students and Teachers of the Tool; the acceptance and ease of use by the student, the relief and hope this brings to the parents and more so the motivation it gives to the teachers is an encouraging indicator that this Tablet of Knowledge is here to stay.

HOW WILL THIS INITIATIVE BENEFIT THE STATE?

* COST SAVINGS – There is already a Cost savings of around N8.4b by using the digital alternative versus paper textbooks. This is also a great aid for the parents of students who are in the Public Schools as they can refocus a large chunk of their income

* TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND ADAPTATION – This initiative will enable knowledge transfer via the use of cutting edge technology. Technology will easily be used and consumed by the arms and people of the state and this will bring a lot of progress to the individual and State.

* INDUSTRIALISATI­ON – Of the 150,000 tablets to be distributed to students, 100,000 of these will be produced in a factory to be built in the State, in conjunction with Opon Imo foreign technical partners. With this development, it is believed that, many industries and businesses will easily find the State of Osun adaptive for their projects and business. This blows wide open the opportunities that can be explored in the State given the growth and adaptation of Science and Technology at all levels.

* IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL ACCESS FOR STUDENTS – For the Student of Public Schools, the sky becomes their limit. They now have access to their lesson notes, past question papers and much more resources necessary for their mental growth and also virtual exam environment that gets them ready and ensures they excel.

* IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL RESULTS AND PROSPECTS – Given the allowance of the use of modern state-of-the-ar­t curriculum and education materials via the use of relevant apps, the success prospect of every child has climaxed in many ways.

HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST THE STUDENTS?

OPON IMO is Free for all Senior Secondary Students in Public School

HOW WILL PRIVATE STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THIS?

This will be available for the students of Private Schools at a purchase fee.

WHAT IS THE STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN THIS?

Everyone in the State of Osun is a Stakeholder. It is a project we are all committed to and are jointly motivated to see it succeed. The list is extensive and we have categorized under the following headers:

- Teachers

– Students

- Parents

- Community leaders.

WILL TRAINING BE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS?

Yes; a cultural and educational engagement program is being put in place to assess the acceptance of the Students and Teachers of the Tool; the acceptance and ease of use by the student, the relief and hope this brings to the parents and more so the motivation it gives to the teachers is an encouraging indicator that this Tablet of Knowledge is here to stay.

WHAT ARE THE CONTENT FEATURES?

* 56 Text books covering 17 subjects

* 17 tutorial questions for the 17 subjects

* 1000 past questions

* 6 extra curricular subjects

* Educational Games

IS THERE AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN?

Yes, there is a practical project schedule! Opon Imo is being project managed by a competent team from a foremost consulting Nigerian Company – Phillips Consulting.

HOW WILL THE DEVICE BE POWERED?

It can be charged. The tablet can be powered at home or in school. There is a communal solar charger option for charging the tablets in public schools.

CAN THIS DEVICE WITHSTAND THE NIGERIAN ENVIRONMENT?

Opon Imo was designed and built taking into account the evolving elements of our environment. It is noteworthy that the tablet ships with a water and fire proof pouch.

The Charging adaptor also comes with a fuse to protect the device from typical surges.

DOES THE DEVICE HAVE INTERNET?

The current version of Opon Imo has Internet deactivated to prevent the distraction this may cause to students at this level of education.

In addition, the Internet does not drive Opon Imo content, because of the unstable nature of current data networks in our country and the huge data requirements the device would have had.

As such, content is domiciled strictly on the Tablet.?This approach Is a Nigerian adaptation, that is believed to be suitable for developing Nations where internet connectivity can still be a challenge.

IS THERE A SUPPORT PLAN FOR THE SYSTEM?

The Support System is quite extensive:

First Level Support at School Level: Teacher (Opon Imo Ambassador).

Second Level Support: 9 Support Centers; one at each Federal Constituency.

Third Level Support: Factory Support in Osogbo.

HOW OFTEN WILL THE CURRICULUM BE UPDATED?

There will be an update mechanism at the support center level. The frequency of curriculum update will be defined by and subject to the policy of the state on refreshing study content.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TABLET WHEN A STUDENT PASSES OUT?

Opon Imo usage is to be recycled among students that graduate into the Senior Secondary Schools. As such, upon graduation from Senior Secondary School, students are to collect their school-leaving certificate in exchange for their Opon Imo.

ARE THERE ANY KNOWN HEALTH HAZARDS TO OPON IMO?

Opon Imo is a safe learning tool. There are no known hazards.

wow,i watched its launching yesterday,he rily tried......bt was it given to all d public skools in osun state?

Dosoq: wow,i watched its launching yesterday,he rily tried......bt was it given to all d public skools in osun state?

yes.majorly SS3 students

some people wouldnt realize the topic was bait until they open this thread.. they were hoping to see something different

Crassus: some people wouldnt realize the topic was bait until they open this thread.. they were hoping to see something different

we call it headlines bro.sometin must attract dem.

Great! I also love the fact that the internet component of the appliance was deactivated. Other state governors should implement same in their states. Big kudos to the governor and all those behind the project.

Slowly but surely, progress is being made.

Excellent. This is so impressive.
I love the fact that the device was named in the local dialect.

This is social development at its best. The results might not be obvious today, but give it 10 years and you'll feel the impact. Same kind of way Awo's education legacy still lives on. Ogbeni Rauf has won my heart with this!!

Other states should emulate this.

Ogbeni is setting record and writing his name in Gold in SouthWest's history. Good for him.

Osun A dara!!!

this man is performing ...I wonder what those pigs will use against him in d coming gubernatorial election

I don't like the ACN but I must confess that I like Ogbeni Rauf, he is more of a grassroots person whose programs are of benefit to the poor, unlike a certain SAN!

oddy4real: I don't like the ACN but I must confess that I like Ogbeni Rauf, he is more of a grassroots person whose programs are of benefit to the poor, unlike a certain SAN!

tell us about that "certain san"!

bad_ass_nigga: this man is performing ...I wonder what those pigs will use against him in d coming gubernatorial election

One of it is; He's keeping beards, why must he?
Lwkm...

Eko Atlantic:

One of it is; He's keeping beards, why must he?
Lwkm...

what has d beard got to do with governance.what has the handsome governors done so far?

Have always known Aregbe to be a marxist. Have been watching him and i feel a connection.

Well, having read all these, I must say that I eat my words on Aregbesola's performance. This man has won himself to my side. I pray and hope he doesn't pull any stupid stunts. Bravo!. However, ACN as a party must try harder

Chubhie: Have always known Aregbe to be a marxist. Have been watching him and i feel a connection.

he mite be but an intellectual one

Good initiative! That's what we need in this country, innovations rule the world!

Kudos oga @ osun.

As far as I am concerned, Aregbe is the best amongst the rest. This man is a great man, an Awolowo and Utomi in one person. He is visionary and creative.

He has something for every demographic strata in his state. He has social security for the aged, He has a cleaning programme that has employed many youth and made Osun state cleaner, He has a radio station for the children, He has brought e-learning to the teenagers (Opon Imon), He provides free food and uniform for primary school pupils. Mega farm projects, road tarring etc are all works of this genius.

Aregbe is a real socialist.I dont know him personally, self that he has a house close to where I live in Lagos (and he has even given out the house to be used for the advancement of creative and performing arts) but I think Osun state in the next 6 years in the hands of Aregbe, will be a cynosure of all eyes.

Unlike his S.A.N brother who is busy creating hardship for the lower class (sky rocketing rents, tactical banning of common men means of transport, tolls etc) Aregbe is puting up programmes that is aimed at touching the common people positively.

God will surely be with he who takes care of the weakest.

Rauf Aregbesola is the kind of man Nigerians should rally round to sit at Aso Rock so that he can replicate all of these and even more (using a bigger national resources). By their works we shall indeed know them. Like I said, I dont know Aregbe from Adam but his works speaks for itself.

Lets stop being sentimental or tribalistic. Let us Nigerians start a movement that will ensure that the best of our people end up being at the helms of affairs in this country and we will all see how this great nation will emerge as one of the best in the world in not too distant a future. This is the great secret of America (they put the best forward, check out Obama and Romney in the last American election).

God bless Nigeria!

kingviny:
As far as I am concerned, Aregbe is the best amongst the rest. This man is a great man, an Awolowo and Utomi in one person. He is visionary and creative.

He has something for every demographic strata in his state. He has social security for the aged, He has a cleaning programme that has employed many youth and made Osun state cleaner, He has a radio station for the children, He has brought e-learning to the teenagers (Opon Imon), He provides free food and uniform for primary school pupils. Mega farm projects, road tarring etc are all works of this genius.

Aregbe is a real socialist.I dont know him personally, self that he has a house close to where I live in Lagos (and he has even given out the house to be used for the advancement of creative and performing arts) but I think Osun state in the next 6 years in the hands of Aregbe, will be a cynosure of all eyes.

Unlike his S.A.N brother who is busy creating hardship for the lower class (sky rocketing rents, tactical banning of common men means of transport, tolls etc) Aregbe is puting up programmes that is aimed at touching the common people positively.

God will surely be with he who takes care of the weakest.

Rauf Aregbesola is the kind of man Nigerians should rally round to sit at Aso Rock so that he can replicate all of these and even more (using a bigger national resources). By their works we shall indeed know them. Like I said, I dont know Aregbe from Adam but his works speaks for itself.

Lets stop being sentimental or tribalistic. Let us Nigerians start a movement that will ensure that the best of our people end up being at the helms of affairs in this country and we will all see how this great nation will emerge as one of the best in the world in not too distant a future. This is the great secret of America (they put the best forward, check out Obama and Romney in the last American election).

God bless Nigeria!

Lagos cannot adopt a Marxist line of development for the following reasons

1 it is already over populated even though fashola is planning for 40 million souls
2 it bears most of the burden for the irresponsibility of the federal government .lagos already has more than enough share of the unskilled and poor.she cannot afford to make herself anymore attractive to these groups
3 it is already a capitalist utopia
4it cannot afford to slip because cities like Accra and abuja are more than ready to take advantage of any stagnation.so Lagos must continue to make herself attractive to investors(eko Atlantic and other development on the island.
4 even with the stupendous allocation of the Niger delta,more and more people continue to migrate to the west due to the socialist tendencies of the southwest governors

For these reasons, there is a need for a little bit of gentrification in Lagos.it is unfortunate but many people will be better off going back to the farms. Many others bring no skills that can benefit the state .therefore , Lagos cannot afford to make herself attractive to too many of the poor and uneducated .
There is also a need for cities like Enugu ,Ibadan ,Kano,kaduna,jos,akure,gboko ,aba,onitsha to develop a 21st century mindset to pick up the slack .

Really on point.am actually waiting for d tym when nigerian politics won't be a business propaganda wherby ther is an investment and profits being expected.this will give each candidate to go to the field without relying on the support of anyone.I believe we have sound mind in dis country but doesn't have a political backup.I do not know him either I believe his best is yet to come.and I pray he doesn't change his plan after being elected the second tym.

I dey envy Osun people o

Great innovation from Ogbeni Aregbesola

dayokanu: I dey envy Osun people o

Great innovation from Ogbeni Aregbesola

come to osun na.space still dey.but u beta b an investor!!osun don dey beta ooo.thanks to aregbe