By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government of Nigeria said no fewer than 10,000 teachers and educators have been trained in preparation for the take-off of 37 “smart schools” built across the country.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, at the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC)’ Digital Resource Centre (DRC).
The federal government established 37 smart schools in different parts of the country (one per state and the FCT) to boost Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Inaugurating the UBEC resource centre, Mamman said it was designed to enhance the provision of smart teaching and learning and support implementation of smart education in Nigeria.
According to him, “10,000 teachers and educators have received various forms of training at the centre, in preparation for full take off of the 37 smart schools.
“The centre is second to none in the world, as there cannot have been a better time to develop digital technology in education than now.
“This is especially as the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, is looking at building vocational institutions across the country.”
The Minister assured that everything would be done to ensure the timely upgrading of the centre to ensure quality delivery.
Senator Natasha Akpoti, (PDP-Kogi Central), commended the concept of a digital resource centre for the growth of educational landscape in the country.
According to her, “if education is universal, it means whatever a child learns in Nigeria should be the same as any child learns in every other country.”
She pledged the commitment of the Senate Committee on Local Content, which she chaired, to collaborate with the centre towards realising its noble objectives.
On his part, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Lawal Adamu, commended the initiative saying “smart education centre is key to global development.”
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, said the establishment of the centre marked a milestone for Nigeria’s quest for digital education.
“UBEC has the mandate to coordinate quality education in Nigeria through innovation like the establishment of the Digital Resource Centre that employs the power of technology for education.
“This is to ensure that students and teachers have access to digital tools in a globalised world.
“We envisage a future where every Nigerian child has access to quality education,” he said.
