Internet connectivity in schools will boost GDP .
A report by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a research arm of The Economist magazine, indicated that gross domestic product could increase by 1.1 per cent for every 10 per cent increase in school internet connectivity in a country.
The EIU report, which was sponsored by Ericsson, was published in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to the report, a well-educated workforce is more likely to be innovative and foster ground-breaking ideas, leading to economic development and job creation.
In the context of the West African country of Niger, the report finds that improvements in school connectivity to finish levels could increase Gross Domestic Product by almost 20 per cent.
“This means that from 550 dollars per person in the baseline, to 660 dollars per person by 2025,” it said.
The EIU report focuses on four key actions to make a change, including collaboration of public/private partnership which was needed to coordinate efforts with stakeholders to overcome barriers to school connectivity.
According to the report, accessibility and affordability are also key to building infrastructure to enable access to the internet which is a starting point.
“Also, embedding internet and digital tools into education will allow teachers to be trained and equally integrate technology into everyday learning.
Read the interesting details here.
