FG steps up rollout of smart, bilingual schools

The Federal Government has intensified efforts to roll out Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools and Alternative Schools nationwide as part of measures to expand access to quality basic education across the country.

This followed the inauguration of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, to fast-track the completion and operationalisation of the schools.

The inauguration, held in Abuja on Tuesday, was announced in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, and made public on Wednesday.

Speaking at the inauguration, Alausa said the committee would be assessed based on the number of schools that become fully operational and actively provide quality education to Nigerian children.

He said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing education as a strategic national priority.

The Minister explained that “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.”

According to him, “the Alternative Schools initiative expands access to quality education for vulnerable and underserved groups, particularly girls and out-of-school children.”

The minister expressed concern that many UBEC-funded projects remain incomplete or have yet to commence academic activities.

He directed the committee to work closely with UBEC, state governments, State Universal Basic Education Boards and other stakeholders to ensure the timely completion of projects, provision of furniture and essential utilities, deployment of teachers, enrolment of learners and full operationalisation of the schools.

Alausa also announced that the Federal Government would phase out the policy separating Junior Secondary Schools from Senior Secondary Schools.

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He said the arrangement had contributed to overcrowded junior secondary schools, underutilised senior secondary facilities and increased school dropout rates.

According to him, the proposal will be presented at the next National Council on Education meeting as part of broader reforms to improve access to education and learning outcomes.

Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, the Director of Basic Education, Dr Folake Davis, commended the minister for his leadership and pledged the ministry’s support for the committee’s work.

She also appreciated UBEC, development partners, state governments and other stakeholders for their collaboration in advancing inclusive and quality basic education.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, described the committee as a strategic mechanism for strengthening implementation, accountability and sustainability.

She disclosed that 37 Smart Schools had been established across the country, with 24 already operational.

Garba added that 30 Bilingual Schools are being implemented across nine participating states under the UBEC-Islamic Development Bank partnership, while the Alternative Schools Programme continues to expand educational opportunities for out-of-school children through flexible and inclusive learning models.

Responding on behalf of the committee, its Chairman, Prof. Rashid Adewumi Aderinoye, thanked the Federal Government for the confidence reposed in members.

He pledged that the committee would carry out its assignment with integrity, professionalism and transparency to ensure government investments translate into sustainable, fully functional schools that improve learning outcomes for Nigerian children.