Possibility of Having Educational Media Unit/Centre in Secondary Schools
It is not only possible but also highly desirable for every secondary
school to establish an Educational Media Unit (EMU) or Educational Media Centre
(EMC). In many developed and developing countries, well-equipped secondary
schools have educational media centres that play a significant role in
supporting teaching, enhancing learning, and promoting the effective
utilisation of instructional resources. As education increasingly embraces
technology and learner-centred approaches, the Educational Media Centre has
become an indispensable component of the modern school system.
An Educational Media Unit or Centre is a specialised section within a
school that is responsible for acquiring, producing, organising, maintaining,
and distributing instructional media and educational technologies used to
facilitate teaching and learning. It serves as the school's central hub for
educational technology, ensuring that both teachers and students have access to
a wide range of instructional materials and technological resources that
enhance classroom instruction and academic achievement.
The primary objective of an Educational Media Centre is to improve the
quality of teaching and learning by providing teachers with relevant
instructional materials and technological support. The centre promotes
learner-centred instruction by making learning more interactive, engaging, and
practical. It also supports the effective implementation of the school
curriculum, encourages independent learning and research among students,
facilitates the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into
classroom instruction, and promotes the local production of affordable
instructional materials that meet specific teaching needs.
To effectively perform its functions, a standard Educational Media
Centre should be equipped with a variety of modern instructional technologies
and learning resources. These typically include computers and laptops,
multimedia projectors, interactive whiteboards, smart televisions, internet
facilities, educational software, printers, scanners, digital cameras, video
cameras, audio recorders, radio and television sets, e-books, digital
libraries, virtual learning resources, as well as traditional instructional
materials such as charts, maps, posters, models, and science and mathematics
instructional kits. These facilities enable teachers to deliver more engaging
lessons while providing students with opportunities for multimedia learning and
independent exploration.
The successful operation of an Educational Media Centre depends largely
on the competence of its personnel. The centre is usually headed by an
Educational Technologist or Media Specialist who oversees its overall
management. Supporting staff may include an ICT Officer responsible for
managing digital technologies and computer networks, a Librarian who organises
and manages learning resources, an Audio-Visual Technician who maintains
multimedia equipment, a Computer Technician responsible for hardware and software
maintenance, a Laboratory Assistant who supports practical instructional
activities, a Graphic Artist where available to produce visual learning
materials, and an Administrative Assistant who handles clerical and
record-keeping responsibilities. Each member of staff contributes to ensuring
that instructional resources are readily available and properly maintained.
The Educational Media Centre performs several important operational
functions. One of its major responsibilities is the acquisition of
instructional resources through purchase, donations, or the local production of
teaching aids. Once acquired, these materials are systematically organised
through cataloguing, labelling, classification according to subject areas, and
inventory management to facilitate easy access and accountability.
Another major function of the centre is the provision of lending
services. Teachers are able to borrow instructional equipment such as
projectors, laptops, charts, models, and other teaching aids for classroom use,
while students gain supervised access to educational resources for research,
assignments, and project work. The centre therefore serves as a
resource-sharing facility that maximises the effective utilisation of
educational materials throughout the school.
The production of instructional materials is another important
responsibility of the Educational Media Centre. Staff members develop various
educational resources including charts, posters, PowerPoint presentations,
video lessons, audio recordings, digital animations, learning modules, and
other multimedia instructional materials that enrich classroom teaching and
make learning more meaningful.
Teacher support services also constitute a core function of the centre.
The Educational Media Centre organises training programmes that improve
teachers' competence in the use of educational technologies and instructional
media. It also provides guidance in lesson planning, demonstrates effective
methods of integrating media into instruction, and offers technical assistance
during classroom implementation. These services help teachers to become more
innovative and effective in delivering instruction.
As schools increasingly adopt digital technologies, the Educational
Media Centre plays a vital role in ICT integration. It provides facilities that
enable teachers and students to engage in online teaching and learning,
computer-assisted instruction, educational simulations, virtual laboratory
activities, e-learning programmes, and other technology-supported instructional
practices. These innovations prepare learners for participation in a digital
society while improving the overall quality of education.
Maintenance is another critical responsibility of the centre. Regular
inspection, servicing, and repair of computers, multimedia projectors, audio
equipment, network facilities, and software applications are essential to
ensure that instructional technologies remain functional and effective.
Preventive maintenance also prolongs the lifespan of equipment and reduces
replacement costs.
The Educational Media Centre also carries out continuous evaluation of
its activities and services. This involves assessing the utilisation of
instructional resources, determining the effectiveness of media materials in
facilitating learning, obtaining feedback from teachers and students regarding
service delivery, and evaluating the overall impact of educational media on
students' academic performance and learning outcomes. Such evaluations provide
valuable information for improving the quality of services offered by the
centre.
Administratively, the Educational Media Centre is usually integrated
into the school's organisational structure. The Principal serves as the overall
head of the institution, while the Vice Principal (Academics) provides direct
supervision of academic activities, including the Educational Media Centre. The
centre itself is headed by the Educational Technologist or Media Specialist,
who coordinates the activities of the ICT Officer, Librarian, Audio-Visual
Technician, Computer Technician, Laboratory Assistant, and other supporting
personnel. This structure promotes effective coordination and accountability in
the management of instructional resources.
On a typical school day, teachers reserve instructional equipment before
lessons begin, after which the Educational Media Centre prepares and issues the
requested materials. Teachers then utilise these resources during classroom
instruction to enhance students' understanding. Students also visit the centre
to conduct research, participate in multimedia learning activities, access
digital resources, or complete project work under appropriate supervision. At
the end of each day, borrowed equipment is returned, inspected, recorded, and
properly stored, while staff organise and maintain the facilities in readiness
for subsequent use.
The establishment of an Educational Media Centre offers numerous
educational benefits. It makes classroom instruction more engaging,
interactive, and learner-centred, thereby improving students' understanding,
retention, and academic achievement. The centre supports both individualised
and collaborative learning, promotes digital literacy, enhances teachers'
instructional effectiveness, encourages creativity, critical thinking,
problem-solving skills, and facilitates blended and online learning. These benefits
contribute significantly to preparing learners for the demands of the
twenty-first-century knowledge society.
Despite its numerous advantages, Educational Media Centres face several
challenges. Common problems include inadequate funding for equipment
acquisition and maintenance, unreliable electricity supply, limited internet
connectivity, insufficient numbers of trained personnel, poor maintenance
culture, rapid technological obsolescence, and the risk of theft or vandalism
of expensive instructional equipment. Addressing these challenges requires
adequate government support, effective school leadership, continuous staff
development, proper maintenance policies, and sustained investment in
educational technology.
In conclusion, the Educational Media Unit or Educational Media Centre is
an essential component of every modern secondary school. As the school's
instructional technology hub, it provides, produces, organises, manages, and
maintains educational media resources that support effective teaching and
meaningful learning. Through its diverse services, it enhances instructional
quality, promotes innovation in classroom practice, supports curriculum
implementation, and prepares students with the knowledge and digital
competencies required for success in the twenty-first century. When adequately
funded, properly staffed, and effectively maintained, an Educational Media
Centre can significantly improve educational quality and contribute to the
overall achievement of school goals.
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