NCC begins process to provide free internet access to educational platforms

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced the process of establishing grounds for zero-rated access to educational platforms, an initiative aimed at enabling Nigerian students to access educational content online without data charges.

According to a consultative document issued by the NCC on Friday, the move is a direct response to calls for socio-economic growth to address digital inclusion. It becomes imperative at a time when a significant percentage of Nigerian students are unable to afford digital access. 

“The Project specifically responds to the call by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for telecommunications operators to provide unhindered connectivity access to educational institutions and platforms of learning,” part of the document reads.

Together with the Industry Committee on the Implementation of Zero-Rated Access to Education Platforms for Students in Nigeria, the NCC is opening room for comments and structure determination from stakeholders and telecom operators. 

Specifically, the ‘Zero-Rated Access to Education Platforms in Nigeria’ initiative seeks to offer free access to formal education and digital skills development platforms. The inputs and perspectives from stakeholders will guide the implementation of the Zero Access Project.

Zero-rated access to educational platforms was recently mentioned by Idris Olorunnimbe, NCC’s chairman. In his Medium post in March, he signalled shades of hope where he satirically tagged the free internet to education access as “Awo’s free education policy in the digital age.”

He described it as a movement from free schools to free data. He added that partnership with state governments, protection of telecom infrastructures, and internet coverage for remote areas are headline plans for actualisation. 

Now, the vision is beginning to take shape, and the consultation process signifies the readiness for digital inclusion for all. 

The consultation, expected to end by July 9, will gather information on the determination of educational content, funding strategy, eligibility for zero-rated access, structure and guiding principles.

Also Read: Why Nigerian telcos are reluctant to give free internet to schools.

Zero-rated: Key issues the NCC wants stakeholders to address

In the 11-page document, the NCC noted that decisions include the structure, eligibility and definition of what constitutes educational content, as well as funding and sustainability plans. 

For instance, a key aspect of structure involves choosing either of two options. One, use a single, mobile-friendly website/app to serve as a Portal to give learners live, one-click access to the most important/approved education resources, where all content on the portal would be zero-rated.

Two, operators will be required to whitelist approved, curriculum-relevant education and digital skills development websites, to which zero-rated access would be provided to qualified learners.

It will also seek to determine who qualifies for accessibility. The document gave a couple of options, such as restricting the initiative to senior secondary and tertiary institutions (first degree) students, or making it available to students in public-funded institutions.

Other considerations are opening it to students and teachers in secondary and tertiary institutions regardless of ownership, or making it available to all users who seek access to educational content and digital skills development on learning platforms and websites.

Stakeholders are also expected to make other suggestions considered useful in the design and implementation of free internet access to educational content nationwide.