By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi on Thursday said the Federal Government introduced the Effective Schools Programme (ESP) in its bid to tackle the challenges and improve the situation in the schools as well as the quality of the products.
He said with the programme, human and material resources will be deployed to schools to address some inadequacies like overcrowded schools, inadequate supply of furniture and instructional materials, teacher low capacity and weak school governance.
He added that the overall goal is to upgrade schools to a level conducive for effective teaching and learning.
Dr Bobboyi made the disclosure in a remark at the opening ceremony of a 5-day training of masters trainers under the UBE Effective School Program ongoing at Koltotel Hotel, Ikolaba, Ibadan.
He said the steps to achieving the feat had kickstarted, disclosing that 111 schools, 3 per senatorial zones and 3 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been selected as pilot for the programme, with the schools equipped with ICT equipment with alternative power supply to enable technology-supported teaching and learning.
He added that the Commission has established 37 smart schools, one in each state and FCT, with some already operational.
He lamented that over the years, statistics have shown that the structures in many schools in the sector are dilapidated, overcrowded and the capacity of the teachers needs to be enhanced, stressing that schools are supposed to be child friendly and the teachers in them up to date in skills and content knowledge.
He said “The Effective Schools Programme (ESP) is borne out of the desire of the Commission to make all schools meet the minimum standards for basic education schools and to also improve learning outcomes.
“Over the years, statistics have shown that the structures in many of our schools in the sector are dilapidated, overcrowded and the capacity of the teachers needs to be enhanced. Schools are supposed to be child friendly and the teachers in them up to date in skills and content knowledge. This is however not what exists.
“The result of this is low learning achievements in basic education products with low literacy and numeracy skills and teachers whose commitment to duty is also low.
“Above all, there exists poor governance structure and low leadership skills among school leaders, which are essential for assuring efficiency and effectiveness in schools. These invariably affect the overall outlook of schools outlooks sub-sector.
“To tackle this challenge and improve the situation in the schools as well as the quality of the products, the Commission initiated the Effective Schools Programme. In this programme, human and material resources will be deployed to schools to address some inadequacies like overcrowded schools, inadequate supply of furniture and instructional materials, teacher low capacity and weak school governance.
“The overall goal is to upgrade schools to a level conducive for effective teaching and learning.”
He said further “The steps to achieving these are already being taken. It is gratifying to know that 111 schools, 3 per senatorial zones and 3 in FCT have been selected as pilot for the programme. The schools have been equipped with ICT equipment with alternative power supply to enable technology-supported teaching and learning.
“Teacher interns to serve as support teachers in the introduction of technology in the classrooms have also been deployed to the schools.
“The training of Master Trainers which commences today is one of the activities in the implementation of the ESP. From here, you will be expected to cascade the training to the teachers in the 111 schools.
“The Commission is counting on your expertise to effectively deliver this role. I have been told that this training is technology-enabled.
“The Commission has established 37 Smart Schools, one in each state and FCT, with some already operational. A Digital Resource Centre (DRC) has been built and commissioned. The DRC produces digital contents and other e-resources and shapes with all the Smart Schools. It is a training and innovation centre for teachers in areas like content development, robotic, AI training.
“UBEC is poised to make basic education meet our national aspirations in the quest for rapid social and economic transformation.
“I wish to call on the State and FCT Universal Basic Education Boards, who are the owners of the schools and the teachers, to join hands with the Commission to ensure that the resources being deployed into this initiative are effectively managed for improved learning outcomes. Each and every stakeholder should also join and support the ESP initiative so that its goals and objectives are eventually achieved.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Oyo SUBEB, Dr Nureni Adeniran commended UBEC for providing the necessary materials to support school growths and development across the country, urging all states to take ownership of the programme in the overall development of the educational sector of the country.
