A bill for a Law to establish the digital literacy board in Imo passed its second reading in the Imo House of Assembly on Tuesday.

The bill is designed to provide a coordinated approach in the planning, designing, deployment, management, and implementation of government digital literacy programmes in secondary schools, as well as for related matters.

The bill, which was sponsored by Chigozie Nwaneri and eight others, had four parts and 24 sections.

During the second reading, Mr Nwaneri, who was the chief sponsor, said that the objective of the bill “is to establish a board that will be responsible for developing a state digital literacy policy for the development of digital literacy programmes at the state level”.

He said the bill would help to ensure consistency and coherence in the delivery of digital literacy programmes across the secondary schools in the state.

He also said that it would promote the integration of digital literacy into the formal education system, from junior secondary to senior secondary schools.

Mr Nwaneri said it would further help to monitor and evaluate digital literacy programmes at the state level to ensure that they were meeting their intended goals and aligned with national policies and guidelines on digital education, among others.

He called on members to support the bill, adding that it would also improve the quality of education in the state, especially in the rural areas.

Supporting the bill, Clinton Amadi, said that when enacted, it would put the state in the forefront of industrial development.

He also said that it would ensure digital literacy training starts early in secondary school, helping students develop ICT skills to better equip them for employment. He further said that Governor Hope Uzodimma was working hard to digitalise the state, and that the passage of the bill would arm the children and enable them to catch up quickly.

Also supporting the bill, majority leader Kanayo Onyemaechi described it as a right step in the right direction.

He said that the bill would help the state join the global village because “it will steer children in the right direction by equipping them with versatility and skills for employment”.

Contributing, Obinna Egu stated that the governor had put in so much effort to promote digital literacy in the state, and as such, there was a need for legislative backing.

He called for teachers to be trained under the scheme, saying that it would help bridge the gap between students in rural areas and those in cities. He also said that it was proper to include digital literacy in the national education curriculum and make it mandatory, as it would serve as a roadmap to self-reliance.

Following other contributions in support of the bill, the speaker, Chike Olemgbe, committed it to a joint committee of the House Committees on Education and Digital Economy and E-government.

Mr Olemgbe directed the joint committee to submit its report on November 4.

(NAN)