Smart schools to take off soon as UBEC receives Korean experts

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi, has disclosed that teaching and learning will soon commence in the 37 Smart Schools being constructed across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. 

He stated this when he received a team of experts from Korea to commence the process of installation of equipment in the schools and training of teachers ready for the take-off of the schools. 

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He said UBEC is collaborating with the Korean International Co-operation Agency (KOICA) on the establishment of the Smart Schools expected to boost e-learning in Nigeria

 The delegation was led by the KOICA Country Representative, Son Sungil.

Bobboyi who was represented by the Deputy Director, Services, Dr Isiaka Kolawole, noted that the Korean team of experts would bring expertise into the operation of the Smart Schools. 

He disclosed that the federal government was in the middle of preparations to commence teaching and learning activities in the Smart Schools, saying the delegation was in the country for the initial period of one month to provide needed support on the provision of infrastructure, content development and training of teachers among others. 

He said: “I am glad to inform you that out of the 37 model Smart schools being built across the federation, nine have been completed, another 15 are expected to be finished by the end of this month and the remaining 13 should also be completed in the coming months.

“KOICA has been involved in several activities of the programme, including content development and the design of training courses,” he said. 

UBEC Project Coordinator, Dr Bashir Galadanci, noted that the delegation was long expected to provide technical support and that academic activities would have commenced in the next school session but had to be shifted to give room for the installation of equipment and training of teachers. 

The Project Manager from KOICA, Professor Dae Joon Hwang, reiterated the commitment of KOICA to continue to support Nigeria in the effort to improve the quality of education delivery in the country.