The Federal Government has stepped up efforts to expand access to quality basic education with plans to operationalise Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools across the country.
To drive the initiative, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee in Abuja.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Education said the committee is expected to fast-track the completion and full operation of the schools as part of the government’s education reform agenda.
Speaking at the inauguration, Alausa said the committee’s performance would be measured by the number of schools that become fully operational and deliver quality education to Nigerian children.
He explained that the Smart Schools initiative is aimed at equipping learners with digital skills, while the Bilingual Schools programme is designed to promote language inclusion, improve learning outcomes and strengthen national integration.
According to the minister, the Alternative Schools initiative will expand access to education for vulnerable and underserved groups, particularly girls and out-of-school children.
Alausa expressed concern over the number of UBEC-funded projects that remain incomplete or are yet to commence academic activities. He directed the committee to work with UBEC, state governments, State Universal Basic Education Boards and other stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of projects, deployment of teachers, provision of learning facilities and enrolment of pupils.
The minister also announced plans to discontinue the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools from Senior Secondary Schools, saying the arrangement has contributed to overcrowding in junior secondary schools, underutilised senior secondary facilities and increased dropout rates.
He said the proposal would be presented at the next National Council on Education meeting as part of broader reforms to improve access to education and learning outcomes.
The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, disclosed that 37 Smart Schools have been established nationwide, with 24 already operational.
She added that 30 Bilingual Schools are currently being implemented across nine states under the UBEC-Islamic Development Bank partnership, while the Alternative Schools Programme continues to provide flexible learning opportunities for out-of-school children.
Chairman of the newly inaugurated committee, Prof. Rashid Adewumi Aderinoye, assured the Federal Government that members would carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and transparency to ensure the successful implementation of the projects.
