LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO REACH AND EDUCATE OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL, FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA, NIGERIA

The study investigated "Leveraging Technology to Reach and Educate Out-of-School Children inGwagwalada, Area Council, FCT, Abuja." The main objective was to examine how technological innovationscan be used to address the increasing number of out-of-school children in Gwagwalada, especially inimproving access to quality education for the marginalised. The research design used was a descriptive survey,and self-structured questionnaires were administered to educators, policymakers, and technology experts. Italso investigated the application of digital tools, e-learning platforms and mobile technology in closing theeducational gap in underserved and rural areas. The target group consisted of stakeholders in educationalinstitutions and technology companies, from which 150 respondents were selected using stratified samplingtechniques to ensure a diverse perspective. In this regard, a pilot study of 20 respondents aimed at instrumentvalidation was done, and a reliability coefficient of 0.82 was established using Cronbach's Alpha. The findingsof the study revealed that technology can significantly facilitate access to education for out-of-school childrenthrough flexible, cost-effective, and scalable solutions. Effective delivery tools included mobile learningapplications, radio and television broadcasts, and community-based digital hubs. Other challenges identified inthe study included a lack of access to digital devices, poor Internet connectivity, inadequate training foreducators, and resistance to adopting new technologies. Based on this finding, the study recommendsincreasing investments in digital infrastructure and providing learning devices at more affordable costs tounderserved communities.