The Federal Government is prepared to present 12 Model Smart Schools throughout the federation’s six geopolitical zones, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) said yesterday.
Dr Hamid Bobboyi, the Commission’s Executive Secretary (ES), dropped the hint during an interactive session with UBEC Smart Schools Programme stakeholders at the Commission’s Digital Resource Centre (DRC) complex in Kado, Abuja.
Bobboyi, who was represented by the National Coordinator of the UBEC Digital Resource Centre, Prof Bashir Galadanci, stated that the commission has constructed 37 UBE Model Smart Schools, one in each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The UBEC boss stated that 14 functional Smart Schools had been rolled out in different parts of the country.
According to him, the 12 additional Model Smart Schools, scheduled to begin academic activities in September 2024, would increase the total number of operating Smart Schools to 26.
The ES emphasised the importance of the meeting, which centred on the projected launch of 12 new smart schools by next month.
He also underlined the huge benefits that may be derived from the smart school program, and expressed hope for a successful interaction among stakeholders at all levels.
Dr. Hafsat Kontagora, Head of the Center’s Capacity Development Unit, reiterated the commission’s commitment to revolutionising the basic education sector by implementing progressive teaching/learning techniques such as blended learning methodology, which is expected to gradually replace traditional methods in specialised schools.
Dr Kontagora gathered valuable inputs from stakeholders and sought their insights to determine the state of readiness of the smart schools for their successful launch.
Other stakeholders who attended yesterday’s interactive session included State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) directors, desk officers in charge of smart schools across the states, UBEC state co-coordinators, and zonal directors.