Academic excellence is the desire of every school owner in Nigeria. The criteria for academic excellence are directly tied to the quality of teaching and learning that takes place in any educational establishment. In the 21st century, the academically superior schools will be the ones where this all-important goal of teaching and learning is served by Information technology.

Internet access has become a necessary prerequisite for excellent education to take place. Children who attend such schools become accomplished scholars. Their learning environment demands that they take responsibility for their own education thereby reaching academic maturity earlier than their peers. These academically mature children have developed a good capacity for working and researching independently.

The next generation workforce -to which the children of today belong to- require school and college programmes that reflect the knowledge base and information technology competencies, which are required in a globally competitive economy.

Technology in whatever form is not the end goal, but instead a means of achieving the more fundamental aim of revolutionizing teaching and learning.
So important is technology in the 21st century school that it has become an integral part of leadership. All leaders need to be conversant with the capabilities and potentialities of technology.

Technology can enhance the quality of interpersonal relations between teacher and students, between students and between the school and the other stakeholders.

An online presence can give your school national and international visibility, as well as the opportunity to showcase the unique and exceptional characteristics of its staff, curriculum, student population, and educational facilities. The nature of the internet also lends itself better to the provision of in-depth information than radio and television.

The existing knowledge of technological expertise currently found in schools is hideously inadequate. The expertise required to plan and build networks is almost certainly beyond most schools. Outside consultants will therefore be needed to provide this necessary ingredient and it is therefore important that schools make a judicious choice in this respect. The consultant should be someone with a firm knowledge of curriculum and instructional design as well as up to date information on teaching methodologies.

These will positive consequences will doubtlessly have a positive effect on the school’s bottom line as more parents and guardians enroll their wards in your institution.

In the ever-shrinking global village, it is critical that your school have the information tools to be in the top tier, starting with the ability to prepare your students for information technology modules required for certifications like the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), all the way to priming them for success in a Technology-Driven world.

In the present information age, students, professionals, corporations and educational institutions from Nigeria will compete even more directly with their contemporaries all over the world. Make sure you have the tools to excel.

The West African Examinations Council now requires all students taking exams to register online. Accelon’s e-education project provides you with the infrastructure necessary to meet this challenge.