UBEC Model Schools: Signpost of the Future of Basic Education in Nigeria – Minister of State for Education
The Hon. Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba has affirmed that the proposed UBEC Model Schools will serve as positive indicators of the future of basic education in the country.
The minister made this assertion at the Ground Breaking ceremony for the construction of the North East Zonal Model School sited in Bauchi, Bauchi State.
The ground breaking ceremony held in Bauchi on Thursday, signaled the commencement of efforts by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in stepping up interventions geared towards providing model UBE infrastructure in the 6 geo-political zones and the FCT.
In this regard, the Hon. Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, together with the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed performed the ground breaking which attracted major stakeholders in the education sector; high ranking federal officials, members of the Bauchi State Executive Council, State legislators and members of the judiciary, representative of the North East Geopolitical zone in the UBEC Governing Board, Dr. Danjuma Dabo, the Emir of Buachi and other members of the traditional institution, the civil society, among others.
Speaking at the occasion, UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi noted that the UBEC Model Schools are to serve as centres of distinction in ICT based teaching and learning as well as provide a benchmark for excellence so that States and FCT can replicate, in line with their peculiar needs.
He informed the gathering that seven (7) Zonal models will be constructed in Bauchi (North-East), Katsina (North-West), Nasarawa (North-Central), Lagos (South-West), Imo (South-East), Edo (South-South) and in Abuja, FCT.
He further hinted that as part pf interventions in this regard, State Model Schools will be established in Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Niger, Oyo and Sokoto State.
The Model Schools will consist of Pre-primary, Special Needs, Primary and Junior Secondary sections.
Other components of the proposed schools include special needs classrooms, audio visual rooms, science laboratories, vocational workshops, libraries, multi-purpose training centre, staff room, offices, clinics, playground, toilets, assembly ground and cafeteria all equipped with state-of-the-art ICT devices.
On his part, the Hon. Minister of State for Education while appreciating the State Governor for promptly providing the land for the project observed that there is need to focus attention on the issue of teachers for the proposed schools, facilities, equipment and maintenance of same when the project must have been completed.
While undertaking the ground breaking exercise on the 6.7 hectares of land provided for the Model School along the Bauchi – Gombe Road, the State Governor assured that his administration will replicate the Model School in each Senatorial District of the State.
He urged all the stakeholders that are concerned (directly or remotely) with the implementation of the programme to work assiduously towards ensuring quality and timely delivery.
