THE Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to transforming basic education institutions in the country to smart schools, to pave the way for future dynamic and impactful learning.

According to the commission, it is for this reason that it established the Digital Resource Centre (DRC), located at Kado, Abuja, to power the smart schools, and effective schools programme and Open School Programme throughout training of teachers and administrators on digital literacy as well as providing high quality digital content for users across the country.

National Coordinator of DRC, Professor Bashir Galadanci, speaking at a media parley in Abuja, revealed that more than 1,500 teachers and school administrators have gone through the centre for effective implementation of Smart Education in Nigeria.

He disclosed that UBEC has established 37 smart schools, one each in the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying while 14 of them have already taken off, while others will take off in September 2024.

He said the commission had also launched Effective Schools programme, with the establishment of 109 Effective Schools, one per each senatorial zone of the country. Effective Schools are smaller prototypes of smart schools.

Galadanci noted that all the schools are being powered by the Digital Resource Centre, which are equipped with digital Museum with 10 stations, blended learning laboratory, language laboratory, multi-media studio among other information communication technology infrastructure for enhanced delivery of world-class teaching and learning.

He lamented that many traditional schools across the country have deteriorated beyond what they used to be and are no longer conducive for effective teaching and learning in this modern time where technology and smart education are the prevailing factors.

He, therefore, called on the state governments to look into building smart schools in each local government areas as well as upgrading of the existing ones.

Professor Galadanci said: “Education is being revolutionised. UBEC, under the present Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, is trying to transform the education system so that it can compete with other countries. We need our children to have the skills and digital knowledge to enhance themselves.

“We have 37 smart schools nationwide. Our hope is that we can have a smart school in each local government area. We want all our schools to be smart. Our children deserve more than they are getting now.

“We need our children to attend smart schools. Our present schools are deteriorating. If you go back to where you studied, you will see that it is deteriorating. That is why we hope that all our schools would be smart. It may take a long time because they are costly to build; however, like I said, our children deserve the best.”

Also speaking, the head, Capacity Development of DRC, Dr Hafsat Lawal Kontagora said the mission is to bridge the digital divide and create a more inclusive society and transform education to meet global best practices.

“DRC has been at the forefront of empowering school administrators, teachers and learners through ICT trainings, digital literacy, enhanced teaching and learning pedagogies, access to information and innovative solutions.

Our mission is to bridge the digital divide and create a more inclusive society and transform education to meet global best practices. We believe that knowledge is power and in today’s interconnected world, digital literacy is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity especially in teaching and learning.