By Gabriella Ogbu
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to upgrading basic education institutions across the country into smart schools, paving the path for future dynamic and impactful learning.
According to the commission, it established the Digital Resource Centre (DRC) in Kado, Abuja, to power the smart schools, effective schools, and Open School Programme by training teachers and administrators in digital literacy and providing high-quality digital content to users across the country.
Professor Bashir Galadanci, DRC’s National Coordinator, disclosed during a media briefing in Abuja that over 1,500 teachers and school administrators have been through the centre to ensure the efficient implementation of Smart Education in Nigeria.
He revealed that UBEC has developed 37 smart schools, one in each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 14 now operational and the remainder set to begin in September 2024.
He further stated that the commission has initiated the Effective Schools programme, which has resulted in the establishment of 109 Effective Schools, one for each senatorial zone in the country. Effective schools are smaller models of smart schools.
Galadanci stated that all schools are powered by the Digital Resource Centre, which is equipped with a digital museum with ten stations, a blended learning laboratory, a language laboratory, a multi-media studio, and other information communication technology infrastructure to improve the delivery of world-class teaching and learning.
He bemoaned that many traditional schools across the country have deteriorated beyond recognition and are no longer suitable to good teaching and learning in this modern day, where technology and smart education are the dominant variables.
He urged state governments to consider creating smart schools in each local government area, as well as improving existing ones.
Professor Galadanci stated, “Education is being transformed. UBEC, led by current Minister of Education Professor Tahir Mamman, is working to improve the education system so that it can compete with other countries. We need our youngsters to be equipped with the necessary skills and digital knowledge to succeed.
“Nationwide, we have 37 smart schools. We aspire to have a smart school in each local government district. We want our schools to be clever. Our children deserve better than what they are getting now.
“We need our children to attend smart schools. Our existing schools are decaying. If you return to where you studied, you’ll notice that it’s decaying. That is why we hope all of our schools are clever. It may take a long time because they are expensive to develop, but as I previously stated, our children deserve the best.
Also addressing, Dr. Hafsat Lawal Kontagora, DRC’s head of Capacity Development, stated that the objective is to bridge the digital gap, build a more inclusive society, and improve education to meet global best practices.
“DRC has been in the vanguard of empowering school administrators, teachers, and students by providing ICT training, digital literacy, improved teaching and learning pedagogies, information access, and innovative solutions.
Our objective is to bridge the digital gap, build a more inclusive society, and improve education to align with global best practices. We think that knowledge is power, and in today’s interconnected world, digital literacy is no longer optional; it is essential, particularly in teaching and learning.
