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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has commended the Enugu State Government led by Governor Peter Mbah for initiating the over 260 Smart Green Schools to cater for the basic education needs in the state, describing it as brave and strategic in a country where basic education has suffered serious neglect.
The Commission expressed happiness that, while UBEC had haboured the idea of smart schools for some years ago, Enugu State has already taken it beyond theory to practice, stressing that quality education for young Nigerians was the sure way to guarantee a sustainable future.
The commendation was given by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi during a working visit to Governor Mbah at the Government House, Enugu recently.
“Basic education has suffered serious neglect. A lot of times, we go from state to state to tell people that if we cannot take care of these children, we have no future. The future lies in making sure that just as our forebears took care of us, we also discharge our duty to take care of these children to safeguard our future.
“A lot of governors avoid putting a lot of resources in education. The argument is that you do not see the result immediately, forgetting the fact that while you might not see it immediately, at the end of the day, it is those that are young that can guarantee our future as a nation.
“So, when I was told that you were building 260 Smart Schools, it is something captivating. I said that I needed to come with my team to really see what you are doing and what is going on. Then I came and we went around the Smart Schools with the Commissioner for Education and your team.
“We looked at what has been achieved so far. We looked at the seriousness with which this programme is being pursued. We looked at its expansive nature and the principles behind it, in terms of building not only the capacity of the teachers, but also the infrastructure that is being put forward, as well as the pedagogy, in terms of teaching and learning.
“In going round, I saw the teachers, with all the pupils. I saw the enthusiasm. It is not just Smart Schools, you are providing smart environment for them. We were very glad to see those things.
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“We saw the wonderful schools, including even having smart agriculture in the schools. I think I find it very impressive.
“I want to tell you that the path you have taken is a very brave one and strategic and we want to appreciate you for what you are doing,” he stated.
We believe that with the commitment of the governor, Enugu will be able to realise its objective, as far as education is concerned, and his dream as far as smart education is concerned.
Bobboyi also commended Mbah’s sustainability plans for both the Smart Schools and smart education in general in Enugu State, commending the state’s plans to ensure that the graduates of smart basic education also get smart senior secondary education.
“I was shown one of the smart secondary schools already under construction and I was also told that many are also coming up.
I said to them, your governor has made my day.
So, I want to assure you of our total support as a Commission,” he concluded.
In his remarks, Governor Mbah explained why his administration was obsessed with education.
“Indeed, we are obsessed with education because we understand that if we do not do it today, then we will pay a greater price tomorrow. And we are already beginning to see the signs of the tension and fragility in our country. They are coming as a result of unemployment and poverty because even if you have been through the education system and you do not have skills that will make you employable, it is a challenge.
“So, we have dedicated one-thirds of our budget, over 33 percent, to education and it is deliberate. We understand that it may not be politically correct as physical infrastructure which results will show immediately. We know it is going to outlive our regime because it is not a sprint. But, in 15 to 20 years, the results will surely be felt and we will be happy knowing that we have kids who will no longer go into criminality as a venture.”
On sustainability, he said the administration planned to construct 17 Smart Senior Secondary Schools in all the 17 LGAs and eight Science, Technology, and Vocational Schools in all the eight federal constituencies in the state to absorb the graduates of the smart basic education schools.
“We also have a centre for experiential learning, where we hope to see what our teachers will go through because you cannot give what you do not have. We are looking at training about 11,000 teachers between now and June,” he concluded.
