By Felix Khanoba
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) says its decision
to roll out smart school programme was prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic which led to the lockdown of the country and closure of schools for nearly one year.
Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Boboyi, made this known at the ground breaking ceremony of the UBEC Modern Smart School Programme in Hadeja, Jigawa state over the weekend.
A statement signed by David Apeh, Head of Public Relations of UBEC and obtained by The AUTHORITY in Abuja on Monday,
said smart schools were designed in categories to boost the use of information communication technology for teaching and learning with an estimated cost of N350 million per school for the state model.
The zonal model with more capacity and ICT infrastructure would cost 600 million to serve each of the six geopolitical zones in the country.
Speaking at the event, Bobboyi explained that during the period of COVID-19 lockdown, learners all over the country were at home and not learning because the face to face learning approach is the primary mode of delivering content to learners.
The UBEC boss expressed the need to prepare for any situation that could arise to disrupt the teaching and learning process.
He stressed that digital and e- learning platforms provide opportunities for both teachers and learners without the constraint of time and space.
He explained that it is expected that deployment of technology for instructional delivery would significantly increase the quality of basic education.
He explained that UBEC Smart Schools are currently at the completion stages, adding that before the end of this year most, if not all, would commence academic activities.
“It is my expectation that the standard we are jointly setting up would be sustained and improved upon so as to meet the schools objectives,” he said.
While commending Governor Mohammed Badaru for the prompt response in allocating land for the project, the UBEC boss also thanked the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) for his effort in transforming Nigeria’s digital landscape and his support in providing this strategic partnership with the Commissionfor the development of e- Learning and establishment of smart school programmes.
