2Ewatto, Edo State — In a secluded part of Esan South East LGA, a pioneering effort in accessibility and excellence is taking place. Equity Learning Academy (ELA) has started operations as Nigeria's first free, entirely digital primary school—an endeavor aimed at transforming how disadvantaged children study, monitor their development, and succeed.
Backed by GradeX School Management Technology, ELA streamlines the entire school experience starting from when students arrive. Digital attendance tracking is implemented; lessons are tailored to individual needs; evaluations are conducted instantly; even the distribution of meals is documented and tracked. Parents get daily insights into their child's development, ensuring openness is standard practice rather than an occasional commitment.
We are providing these children with a full digital environment that matches the top private schools in Nigeria," said Dr. Friday Airhia, who established the academy alongside his wife, Prof (Mrs) Bosede Airhia. "With GradeX's AI-powered analytics, each student—from Kindergarten 1 to Basic 1—receives a free laptop and learning tailored to their requirements.
During the inauguration and official unveiling, Dr. Paddy Emmanuel Iyamu from the Edo State Commission for Education described the initiative as "precisely the sort of private-sector creativity that supports the government's goal of providing universal, high-quality education." He pointed out that the model demonstrates how technology and charitable efforts can help bridge disparities throughout Nigeria's 774 local government areas.
The infrastructure is built with reliability and respect in mind. The campus is powered by continuous solar energy, ensuring that computers, projectors, and audiovisual equipment remain operational at all times. A 24-hour Wi-Fi system allows students to access carefully selected global resources. Clean water, free daily meals, uniforms, textbooks, and backpacks help maintain attendance and concentration, while secure recreational areas promote play and social growth. Classrooms are up-to-date and well-connected; educators are trained in information technology; and a fully equipped digital library serves as a foundation for research and reading.
ELA was created by the Shekinah Mentors International Initiative with support from donors. The founders have a clear vision for what's ahead. "This is just the start," said Prof Bosede Airhia. "With additional partners, we can apply this model in other rural areas and provide more children with fair access to quality education." Beyond the technology and dashboards, the key lies in data-driven teaching that addresses children's specific needs. GradeX combines attendance, assessments, and engagement into useful insights for teachers, reducing administrative tasks and allowing more time for instruction and guidance. For parents, daily digital reports make the school process transparent and accessible.
Kasandra Ikpea, a philanthropist and business leader dedicated to education and empowerment, says that Equity Learning Academy is: “More than just a school; it is evidence that innovation and kindness can come together to transform the future for children who might otherwise be overlooked. What inspires me is not only the laptops or the technology, but the respect it brings back to rural education. Every child should learn in an environment that shows them they are valued, and this academy achieves that. I hope ELA becomes a blueprint others can follow, so that rural communities across Nigeria are defined by possibilities, not constraints.”
The consequences are national in scope. Nigeria's education system continues to encounter significant challenges—overcrowded schools, inconsistent teacher assistance, learning deprivation, and financial obstacles. ELA's method does not assert it can address all issues. However, it effectively shows that providing free access combined with intelligent technology and local support can produce measurable improvements rapidly—and on a larger scale if collaborators become involved.
If duplicated, this model could assist rural schools in maintaining power and internet access, establish uniform record management, tailor instruction, and rebuild trust between families and classrooms. It provides a realistic framework for connecting public goals with private implementation: the government defines the standards; innovators develop; communities share ownership.
Currently, the approach is straightforward: children in Ewatto are learning—using devices that are their own, in classrooms designed for the future, with parents receiving updates instantly. In a sector traditionally marked by limited resources, ELA's free digital academy serves as a positive example showing that high-quality education at the margins is achievable and that these areas don't have to remain on the periphery for long.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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