Mr Nwodo Monday Obinna, a teacher from Odogbulu Grammar School, Ogun State Nigeria, (middle) checking the Blood Pressure level of the Citizen Lead, Microsoft Anglophone- West Africa, Jummai Umar- Ajijola, (left) at the exhibition ground while Menasie Zandu from Ethopia (right) looks on. Photo by Emeka Aginam

By Emeka Aginam, in Cape Town, South Africa
As the competition get hotter, two secondary schools from the Sub Saharan Africa countries, including Nigeria and Ghana are currently flying the continent’s flag at the ongoing Microsoft partners in learning Worldwide Innovative Education Forum holding in Cape Town, South Africa.

The two schools ,Odogbulu  Grammar School, Ogun State, Nigeria  and WA Senior High School, Upper West Region Ghana are among one hundred and twenty five schools currently competing to win one of 12 worldwide innovative education awards at the ongoing capacity building event

The program which is running in about 114 countries around the world  had attracted  no fewer than 500 World’s most innovative educators and school leaders including media practitioners.

Running for the first time in the Africa soil, the forum  is the centerpiece of Microsoft’s global US$500 million Partners in Learning programme, which helps teachers and school leaders to use technology as a tool for innovative teaching and learning in the 21^st century knowledge economy.

Meanwhile, Mr Nwodo Monday Obinna, a teacher from Odogbulu  Grammar School, Ogun State had won the overall champion in Nigeria Innovative forum.

The talented school  teacher who is very passionate about capacity building had represented Nigeria at the Pan African level and had also emerged as the judges’ choice.

He is currently representing Africa at the world level holding now in Cape Town, South Africa

“Iam very happy to represent Nigeria at the world level. I will not fail Nigeria. Iam optimistic to win the award.  You can see what the project is all about. Iam also doing free check here using the toll I have.

My project- ‘Hypertension: The Silent Killer’ should be taking seriously by people. People can buy personal tool for measuring their status. It is very important as health is wealth. This is a good initiative by Microsoft. It will change the face of schools around the world.” Obinna.said.

Similarly,  Issah Ibrahim Shaba, a teacher from WA Senior High School, Upper West Region Ghana,  noted that schools around the world  may not survive the 21^st century knowledge economy unless innovative practices in schools are taking seriously.

The ICT teacher who spoke to Vanguard CyberLIFE in the exhibition hall said that, “We were in Brazil last year. When we came back, we tried to put what we have learnt in practice. Microsoft is doing great to schools around the world to the next level.”

Also speaking, Moliehi Sekese of Mamoeketsi Primary school, Lesotho said that the

Worldwide innovative education program by the software giant came at the right time.

“Iam glad to be here. I will take the campaign back home. It is clear that our students through this program after graduation will have the skills and knowledge to face the challenges ahead. That is the good thing about innovative education which Microsoft has championed.” She said.

For the Citizen Lead, Microsoft Anglophone- West Africa, Jummai Umar- Ajijola,   worldwide innovative education forum is truly a 21^st century affair.

“The teachers, especially the Nigerian team  are very talented.  Nigeria team should win. Most importantly, the teachers should learn, expand network and when they go back should share and make learning in  their different countries  a 21^st century affair” she added.

For one thing, the Innovative Education Forum sponsored by the global software giant, Microsoft has created an opportunity for educators to show their talents in innovative education.

Teachers from many countries of the world including  Nigeria,   Brazil, Singapore, Australia, Eastern and Western Europe,  the US among others are currently  engaging in competition to win  one of 12 global Innovative Education awards to celebrate their best practices in the classroom.

Having been previously chosen as winners at the country and local level,  school leaders currently participating  represent  some of the most innovative primary and secondary schools in the world and are participating in professional development to enhance their leadership skill as they embark on journey of transformation.

Celebrating innovation that leads to educational transformation and helps improve 21st century objectives, driving collaboration among educators to promote innovative programs, promoting best practice in education, creating innovative education leaders, connecting educators with one another to network and develop relationships., celebrating the creativity and innovation in education and establishing a strong worldwide community of innovations are the major goals of the capacity building program.

It would be recalled that Microsoft had on Tuesday this week  hosted  visits to two schools St Cyprian’s  school and Hunt BAY High school all in  Cape Town to showcasing  local technology solutions and the challenges facing schools in the region