Speaker
Description
Garba, A. A.
ZAMFARA STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION MARU
ashirabuu@gmail.com
Track: Research, Innovation and Knowledge Ecosystems
The growing crisis of Out-of-School Children (OOSC) in Northern Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, demands innovative, scalable, and evidence-driven educational interventions. This review-based research article examines how Colleges of Education—specifically Zamfara State College of Education, Maru—can strategically reposition their research and innovation capacities to access competitive research grants focused on science teaching and learning interventions for OOSC. The article critically synthesizes existing literature on grant-readiness frameworks, digital transformation in teacher education, and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging digital technologies into non-formal basic science education. Findings from the review indicate that while the College possesses institutional potential and proximity to OOSC-affected communities, critical gaps exist in research infrastructure, grant proposal development skills, industry-academia linkages, and the mainstreaming of AI/digital pedagogies for marginalized learners. The article proposes a five-component repositioning model: (1) establishing a dedicated research and innovation grants office; (2) building workforce digital/AI competencies; (3) developing contextualized OOSC science content leveraging low-cost AI tools; (4) forming strategic partnerships with EdTech innovators and international donors; and (5) creating a living laboratory for OOSC science education research. Expected outcomes include increased grant acquisition success, improved science learning outcomes among OOSC, and the emergence of the College as a regional center of excellence. Recommendations are offered for college leadership, teacher educators, policymakers, and development partners.