Lagos State and Microsoft Turn Schools to IT Academies

When the Fashola led administration of the Lagos state government, some months ago embarked on a massive rehabilitation of public schools, many people thought it was a mere rehabilitation scheme aimed at giving a new facelift to the affected schools. But only quite a few knew that the governor was on the verge of laying a foundation stone for an IT and knowledge driven youths through a partnership with the global software giant, Microsoft Perhaps that was with a firm belief that a good and conducive learning environment will prepare the students to be well knowledgeable and skilled to attain higher economic growth and productivity as well as becoming self-reliant.

To achieve this, the state government set up three government bodies charged with the responsibility of realizing the dream. They include: the state's Ministry of Education, SUBEB Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board and Special Committee for Rehabilitation of Public Schools ( SCRPS ). The Governor realizing the value of partnering with Microsoft, and the value the partnership will bring to State engaged the software company for establishment of its academy in the rehabilitated schools. The Microsoft IT Academy will be implemented in all 3 pilot schools commissioned by the governor last week and will provide World Class Microsoft Official Curriculum along with many other free features that the Partnership will bring. As part of the deal, Deux Project Limited, in partnership with Microsoft and its local support group will provide laptops with Microsoft academy software and a training package for the Agidingbi junior and senior secondary school.