The Federal Government is accelerating the nationwide rollout of Smart Schools, Bilingual Schools, and Alternative Schools to significantly expand access to quality basic education.
This push comes as the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, inaugurated the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Ministerial Implementation and Monitoring Committee on Tuesday in Abuja to fast-track the completion and full operationalisation of these projects.
Alausa said the committee’s performance would be measured by the actual number of schools that become fully functional and begin delivering quality education to Nigerian children. He linked the initiative directly to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing education as a top national priority.
“The Smart Schools initiative is designed to equip learners with digital skills for the modern economy,” the minister explained, “while the Bilingual Schools programme promotes linguistic inclusion, improved learning outcomes, and national integration.”
He added that the Alternative Schools initiative targets vulnerable and underserved groups, especially girls and out-of-school children, through flexible learning models.Alausa expressed concern over the many UBEC-funded projects that remain incomplete or non-operational.
He directed the committee to collaborate closely with UBEC, state governments, SUBEBs, and other stakeholders to ensure timely completion, provision of furniture and utilities, teacher deployment, student enrolment, and full functionality of the schools.
The minister also announced plans to phase out the current policy separating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from Senior Secondary Schools (SSS). He noted that the separation has led to overcrowded JSS facilities, underutilised SSS infrastructure, and higher dropout rates.
The proposal will be presented at the next National Council on Education meeting.UBEC Executive Secretary Hajiya Aisha Garba revealed that 37 Smart Schools have been established across the country, with 24 already operational.
Additionally, 30 Bilingual Schools are being implemented in nine states through a partnership with the Islamic Development Bank. The Alternative Schools Programme continues to expand opportunities for out-of-school children.
The committee chairman, Prof. Rashid Adewumi Aderinoye, pledged to execute the assignment with integrity and transparency to ensure government investments deliver lasting impact on learning outcomes.
This renewed drive aims to address infrastructure gaps, promote digital literacy, linguistic diversity, and inclusive education across Nigeria.
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