GOLDEN Penny has, in partnership with other stakeholders, boosted its 'Laptop4Learning' (L4L) initiative, with the official opening of a dedicated classroom at the Kuramo Primary School, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the exclusive use of pupils and teachers, for an initial period of three years.According to the organisers, the company also plans to develop a replicable project for primary schools across the country, the goal of which is to equip the children with the appropriate skills on the applications of technology.Speaking at the official opening in Lagos recently, the Chief Marketing Officer, Golden Penny, Mr. Clive Cottrell said the programme was targeted at raising standards in primary schools in the country.'Our desire to provide laptops for the pupils and teachers as a learning tool, is to bring about transformative change and a better life in Nigeria. We want to give back to the community as well as assist in aiding education through laptops,' he said.In her address, Mrs. Carolyn Hall, an official of Golden Penny, said the initiative was also intended to prepare children for the future. She said, 'in order to help develop today's Nigerian children with understanding, confidence and appropriate skills in the application of this technology, a group of concerned individuals came together to form Laptops4Learning (L4L).'This group includes Mr. Tunde Arogunmati, Carolyn Hall, Phil Hall, Mr. Tomi Davies, Abimbola Okoya-Urey, Funmi Onabolu, Diana Johnson, Ayo Kosamotu and Ria Mastoroudes.'According to her, the L4L is a not-for-profit organisation, with the aim of providing laptops to Nigeria teachers and children as a learning tool. 'L4L's goal is to provide primary school teachers and children in Nigeria with laptop computers, software, training and a conducive environment that will empower them to learn, explore, experiment and express themselves in creative and productive ways, that will ultimately bring about transformative change in Nigeria.'In June, 2011, Kuramo Primary School, Victoria Island, with the approval of the education authorities, agreed to participate in an L4L pilot project. Their participation included the creation of a L4L facility in one of the school's classrooms and L4L provided technical and soft skills training for the teachers, laptops for the teachers and students; internet access and technical support.'She revealed that Flour Mills of Nigeria has sponsored the entire programme from the training of the teachers, the provision of laptops and hardware and the complete refurbishment of the classroom, which included replacing furniture and fittings to make the room conducive for interactive learning.Also present at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Education Management, Mr. Saheed Ibikunle commended the organisers for their contributions.Headmaster of the school, Mr. Michael Ajayi praised the donors for extending their support to the teachers in the school. 'We would want the organisers of the programme to carry the teachers along as well,' he pleaded. 'We also appeal to them that they should not just inaugurate the programme and leave, but should further assist us in terms of maintenance and reaching out to other schools in the area.
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