The Federal Government has renewed its drive to expand access to quality basic education through the nationwide implementation of Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools.
The move follows the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, with the mandate to speed up the completion and full operation of the schools.
The committee was inaugurated in Abuja on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade, on Wednesday.
Addressing members of the committee, Alausa said its performance would be measured by how many of the projects become fully functional and begin delivering quality education to pupils across the country.
He noted that the initiative supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing education as a key pillar for national development.
The Minister explained that “the Smart Schools initiative is designed to equip learners with digital skills for the modern economy, while the Bilingual Schools programme promotes linguistic inclusion, improved learning outcomes and national integration.”
According to him, “the Alternative Schools initiative expands access to quality education for vulnerable and underserved groups, particularly girls and out-of-school children.”
Alausa lamented that several projects funded by UBEC remain unfinished or have yet to commence academic activities.
He directed the committee to collaborate with UBEC, state governments, State Universal Basic Education Boards and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the completion of projects, provision of infrastructure and learning facilities, deployment of teachers, enrolment of pupils and the commencement of academic activities.
The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government plans to discontinue the existing separation between Junior Secondary Schools and Senior Secondary Schools.
He said the current arrangement has resulted in overcrowded junior secondary schools, underused senior secondary facilities and rising school dropout rates.
According to him, the proposal will be presented at the next National Council on Education meeting as part of wider efforts to improve access to education and learning outcomes.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the Director of Basic Education, Dr Folake Davis, praised the minister’s leadership and assured the committee of the ministry’s full support.
She also acknowledged the contributions of UBEC, development partners, state governments and other stakeholders towards improving inclusive and quality basic education.
Earlier, UBEC Executive Secretary, Hajiya Aisha Garba, described the committee as an important step towards improving implementation, accountability and sustainability of education projects.
She revealed that 37 Smart Schools have been established nationwide, with 24 already in operation.
Garba added that 30 Bilingual Schools are currently being implemented across nine states through the UBEC-Islamic Development Bank partnership, while the Alternative Schools Programme continues to provide flexible learning opportunities for out-of-school children.
Responding on behalf of members, the committee’s Chairman, Prof. Rashid Adewumi Aderinoye, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the opportunity to serve.
He pledged that the committee would discharge its responsibilities with integrity, professionalism and transparency to ensure government investments produce fully functional schools and improved learning outcomes for Nigerian children.