By Ngozi Nwankwo
Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission,UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, has charged Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards,SUBEBs,on the implementation of the Effective School Programmes,ESP.
Bobboyi was speaking at the UVEB-SUBEBs meeting on the effective school programmes in Abuja on Monday.
He said that the implementation of the ESP would lead to the investment in the improvement of learning conditions and processes to produce basic education graduates with effective life skills.
The UBEC boss said equipping students with skills would enable them to effectively participate and compete favourably in the 21st century knowledge economy.
“As a Commission, we have considered the prime importance of investing in improving key aspects of UBE delivery with a view to having better outcomes.
“This resolve is what prompted our drive towards reinventing the mechanisms for improved inputs and processes in the implementation of UBE activities, as this would be the safe guarantee of improved outcomes.
“ESP seeks to ensure collective actions at national and state levels in ensuring that prescribed minimum standards in basic education service delivery are attained and further scaled up towards ensuring effectiveness of teaching and learning with commensurate learning outcomes,” he said.
According to him, under the ESP, the desire of the Commission is to support SUBEBs towards implementing the minimum standards in all the schools previously designated as UBEC e-learning centers.
Bobboyi added that the distribution of instructional materials, installation of satellite-based education system, training of head teachers and teachers in the effective schools would follow immediately.
“As the programme progresses, additional improvements will be made in the schools with the goal of meeting the minimum standards in basic education.
“It is envisaged that through this effort, we will create Centres of Excellence as we improve the inputs and processes deployed for teaching and learning in the schools,” he said.
In his remarks, the Dean of Chairmen, SUBEB, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja , said the transformation of e-learning programme into ESP would help improve the education outcomes of Nigerian students.
He said Nigeria is second in terms of literacy level in Africa noting that the full implementation of the smart education would rank Nigeria as first in Africa.