Mrs. Temilola Adepetun, the Managing Director of SKLD Integrated Services Limited, has expressed alarm at the growing prevalence of fake calculators and educational products in circulation.
She has called upon the government to take measures to address this issue and discourage such practices.
Adepetun voiced her distress over the influx of counterfeit calculators being imported into the country.
Speaking at a conference that highlighted Casio’s contributions to advancing education in Nigeria, she remarked that the nation has become a dumping ground for fake goods.
She further questioned the actions taken by government agencies and examination bodies to enforce laws and ensure that students are only permitted to use genuine calculators.
Adepetun raised concerns about the quality control measures implemented by various organizations.
“How many agencies oversee the quality of products being imported into Nigeria? What is the role of customs in this matter? And what about examination bodies? Are they endorsing authentic calculators or allowing students to use just any calculator?” she inquired.
She expressed worry that these fake calculators yield incorrect answers, emphasizing the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the education materials used in the country.
She stated, “Almost every science subject requires the use of a calculator. Mathematics, for instance, is an essential subject. Without a credit in mathematics, admission to university is unattainable. It is high time we began purging the system from top to bottom. Numerous traders bring in second-hand products, so the cleanup process needs to commence somewhere.”
She further acknowledged the existence of counterfeit calculators in the market, highlighting the importance of ethical traders who prioritize selling genuine products. Adepetun expressed the intention to reward authorized dealers so they can promote and educate others in the various markets where stationery materials are sold.
Koichi Danjo, an Education Specialist from Casio, Japan, explained the organization’s proposal for a new approach to studying mathematics using scientific calculators, which is not yet widespread in Nigerian markets.
Danjo stated that the company is selecting specific schools to provide inclusive lessons on trigonometry using scientific calculators.
According to him, if teachers learn how to effectively utilize these calculators in their classrooms, it will lead to a significant improvement in the quality of education and students’ academic performance.
He added that last year, Casio conducted a pilot project in six schools in Lagos, where they found that the results of students using scientific calculators were significantly better compared to those who did not.
“So, we decided to expand this initiative to other schools across the country,” he concluded.
