The National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Chinwe Anunobi has called for the provision of Makerspaces in schools libraries in the country.
Prof. Anunobi made this in a memo she presented during á meeting of the Reference Committee of the Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCCE) held on Tuesday 28th May 2024 in Calabar, Cross-River State.
According to the National Librarian, a Makerspace is a collaborative work-space inside a school library facility, used for learning, innovative reading, critical exploration and story sharing. These spaces are open to students, school librarians and teachers, and provided with a variety of equipment such as computers, tablets, e-library resources, practical reading and writing tools, augmented and virtual reality facilities, audio and visual reading, writing equipment and other engaging knowledge development tools.
She further stated that Makerspaces in libraries are the perfect venue for innovative skillful reading and learning, making them the perfect venue for such innovative spaces. Speaking further, she stated that Integrating a Makerspace within a library leverages the library's existing resources and infrastructure, creating a multifaceted environment that supports both traditional and modern learning modalities.
Prof. Anunobi pointed out that the absence of Makerspaces in school libraries limits students' opportunities to engage in practical, technology-driven learning experiences that can enhance their problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial mindset.
She therefore recommended that the Federal Ministry of Education should develop policies that will enforce the establishment of Makerspaces in school libraries.
Also speaking at the meeting, which theme for this year is Innovation, Digital Technology and Entrepreneurship: Tool for Education and National Development the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman who was represented by Mrs. Obianuju Anigbogu, Director, Educational Planning, Research and Development who also is the Chairperson of the JCCE, stated that the theme was decided upon to emphasize the need to bridge the lacuna in our educational system in line with the best global practice.
According to the Minister, the success or failure of educational policy formulation and implementation is greatly determined by the work to be carried out during this meeting.
Speaking further, he stated that the challenges in the education sector in Nigeria has fueled the growing economic deficit which has put a lot of pressure on macro economic fundamentals in the country.
Earlier in his speech during the opening ceremony of the two-day event, the Governor of Cross-River State, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Otu stated that matters of education are in the forefront of his administration. According to him, As a state, our commitment to education is unequivocal and will not relent in seeing that education strives supreme in our agenda. The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner of Education, Senator Dr. Stephen Odey charged delegates to make adequate use of the opportunity to deliberate on the challenges facing the educational sector and take appropriate decisions that will guarantee the desirable change.
The Director of Planning Research and Statistics, Mrs Ngozi Odogwu and a Principal Librarian in the department, Ms. Candice Odu accompanied the National Librarian/CEO to the meeting.