Nigeria expands quality education with smart, bilingual schools

Nigeria's Federal Government is intensifying its efforts to establish Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools, and Alternative Schools across the country. This initiative aims to broaden access to quality basic education for all Nigerian children.

To expedite the process, the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee. This committee is tasked with ensuring the timely completion and operationalization of these new school models. Minister Alausa emphasized that the committee's performance will be evaluated based on the number of schools that become fully functional and actively deliver quality education.

The Smart Schools initiative is designed to equip students with essential digital skills for the modern economy. Bilingual Schools aim to foster linguistic inclusion, enhance learning outcomes, and promote national integration. Meanwhile, Alternative Schools are intended to provide educational opportunities for vulnerable and underserved populations, including girls and out-of-school children.

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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.

Expressing concern over the numerous incomplete UBEC-funded projects, Minister Alausa directed the committee to collaborate closely with UBEC, state governments, and other stakeholders. The goal is to ensure projects are completed promptly, essential facilities are provided, teachers are deployed, and students are enrolled.

In a related reform, the Federal Government intends to phase out the separation of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools (SSS). The current structure has led to overcrowded JSS facilities, underutilized SSS infrastructure, and increased school dropout rates. This proposal will be presented at the next National Council on Education meeting as part of broader efforts to improve educational access and learning outcomes under President Bola Tinubu’s 'Renewed Hope Agenda'.

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The Alternative Schools initiative expands access to quality education for vulnerable and underserved groups, particularly girls and out-of-school children.