The Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC has inaugurated the Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Team for the Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools Project as part of efforts to strengthen oversight and accelerate the delivery of key basic education initiatives across Nigeria.
The inauguration, held at UBEC’s Digital Resource Centre in Abuja, brought together stakeholders from the education sector to reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the timely completion, effective monitoring and full operationalisation of the three flagship education programmes.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba, highlighted the progress made under the projects, revealing that 37 Smart Schools have been established nationwide, with 24 already in operation.
She also disclosed that 30 Bilingual Schools have been established across nine states, with three already commissioned, while implementation of the Alternative Schools Programme for out-of-school children continues to gather momentum.
Garba explained that the newly inaugurated ministerial team is tasked with strengthening project oversight, addressing implementation bottlenecks and ensuring that government investments translate into functional schools that deliver quality education. She assured the committee of UBEC’s full cooperation in achieving its mandate.
In his address, the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa, stressed the importance of accurate monitoring, effective reporting and stronger collaboration with UBEC and other stakeholders. He subsequently inaugurated the committee and charged members to ensure transparency, accountability and timely delivery of the projects.
Responding on behalf of the committee, Chairman Rashid Adewumi Aderinoye pledged to deliver on the committee’s mandate within the stipulated timeframe.
The inauguration highlights the commitment of UBEC and the Federal Ministry of Education to modernising Nigeria’s basic education system through technology-driven learning, bilingual education and expanded access to quality education for all children.