UBEC Smart School: A Future Beyond JSS
By Ali Abare, Lafia
***
In Nasarawa State, the UBEC Smart School stands as a beacon of innovation, embodying Governor Abdullahi Sule’s vision for a technology-driven education system.
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, from robotics labs to digital content studios, these schools promise to revolutionize learning for Nigerian children. Yet, a critical question lingers: What happens to students after they complete Junior Secondary School (JSS)?
While the smart schools excel in foundational education, the transition to senior secondary and beyond remains a challenge, leaving many students at risk of falling through the cracks of an unaligned system.
The UBEC Smart Schools initiative, supported by partnerships like the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has made strides in digital literacy, teacher training, and infrastructure. Students in these schools gain exposure to coding, AI, and interactive learning tools, skills meant to prepare them for a 21st-century economy.
However, the program’s focus on basic education means there’s no clear pathway for graduates to continue their tech-enabled education in senior secondary schools, which often lack comparable resources. This disconnect threatens to undo the progress made during their formative years.
Governor Sule’s administration has shown commitment to education, notably through the recent release of N6.7 billion in UBEC funds to sustain schools in Nasarawa and address out-of-school children. Yet, the absence of a seamless transition plan risks wasting the potential of these students.
For instance, while the Smart School in Lafia showcases students’ prowess in robotics and digital tools, there’s no guarantee these talents will be nurtured further. The state’s partnership with UBEC, now under the leadership of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, a seasoned educationist, presents an opportunity to bridge this gap. Al-makura’s influence could drive policies to extend the smart school model to senior secondary levels or create vocational pipelines aligning with the skills students have acquired.
The broader issue reflects a systemic flaw in Nigeria’s education strategy. As noted in a critique of UBEC’s role, “Certificates don’t feed nations—skills do.” While the smart schools emphasize technical and digital competencies, the lack of continuity will ultimately force students into conventional schools where these skills are neither prioritized nor expanded. This misalignment echoes the warning that Nigeria’s education system glorifies degrees over practical competence, leaving even the most promising students unprepared for the job market.
Solutions exist but require urgent action. UBEC’s Effective School Programme (ESP), which aims to scale minimum standards in basic education, could be expanded to senior secondary levels, ensuring the smart school ethos isn’t lost after JSS.
Additionally, partnerships with tech hubs and industries, as proposed in UBEC’s collaboration with NOUN for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Smart Education, could create apprenticeship opportunities for graduates.
Governor Sule’s administration, with its proven dedication, must now look beyond infrastructure and ask: How can these students’ early advantages translate into lifelong opportunities? The answer will determine whether the smart school experiment becomes a transformative success or another half-realized promise.
Abare is the Chairman, School Based Management Committee, UBEC Smart School, Lafia
By Ali Abare, Lafia
***
In Nasarawa State, the UBEC Smart School stands as a beacon of innovation, embodying Governor Abdullahi Sule’s vision for a technology-driven education system.
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, from robotics labs to digital content studios, these schools promise to revolutionize learning for Nigerian children. Yet, a critical question lingers: What happens to students after they complete Junior Secondary School (JSS)?
While the smart schools excel in foundational education, the transition to senior secondary and beyond remains a challenge, leaving many students at risk of falling through the cracks of an unaligned system.
The UBEC Smart Schools initiative, supported by partnerships like the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has made strides in digital literacy, teacher training, and infrastructure. Students in these schools gain exposure to coding, AI, and interactive learning tools, skills meant to prepare them for a 21st-century economy.
However, the program’s focus on basic education means there’s no clear pathway for graduates to continue their tech-enabled education in senior secondary schools, which often lack comparable resources. This disconnect threatens to undo the progress made during their formative years.
Governor Sule’s administration has shown commitment to education, notably through the recent release of N6.7 billion in UBEC funds to sustain schools in Nasarawa and address out-of-school children. Yet, the absence of a seamless transition plan risks wasting the potential of these students.
For instance, while the Smart School in Lafia showcases students’ prowess in robotics and digital tools, there’s no guarantee these talents will be nurtured further. The state’s partnership with UBEC, now under the leadership of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, a seasoned educationist, presents an opportunity to bridge this gap. Al-makura’s influence could drive policies to extend the smart school model to senior secondary levels or create vocational pipelines aligning with the skills students have acquired.
The broader issue reflects a systemic flaw in Nigeria’s education strategy. As noted in a critique of UBEC’s role, “Certificates don’t feed nations—skills do.” While the smart schools emphasize technical and digital competencies, the lack of continuity will ultimately force students into conventional schools where these skills are neither prioritized nor expanded. This misalignment echoes the warning that Nigeria’s education system glorifies degrees over practical competence, leaving even the most promising students unprepared for the job market.
Solutions exist but require urgent action. UBEC’s Effective School Programme (ESP), which aims to scale minimum standards in basic education, could be expanded to senior secondary levels, ensuring the smart school ethos isn’t lost after JSS.
Additionally, partnerships with tech hubs and industries, as proposed in UBEC’s collaboration with NOUN for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Smart Education, could create apprenticeship opportunities for graduates.
Governor Sule’s administration, with its proven dedication, must now look beyond infrastructure and ask: How can these students’ early advantages translate into lifelong opportunities? The answer will determine whether the smart school experiment becomes a transformative success or another half-realized promise.
Abare is the Chairman, School Based Management Committee, UBEC Smart School, Lafia
UBEC Smart School: A Future Beyond JSS
By Ali Abare, Lafia
***
In Nasarawa State, the UBEC Smart School stands as a beacon of innovation, embodying Governor Abdullahi Sule’s vision for a technology-driven education system.
Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, from robotics labs to digital content studios, these schools promise to revolutionize learning for Nigerian children. Yet, a critical question lingers: What happens to students after they complete Junior Secondary School (JSS)?
While the smart schools excel in foundational education, the transition to senior secondary and beyond remains a challenge, leaving many students at risk of falling through the cracks of an unaligned system.
The UBEC Smart Schools initiative, supported by partnerships like the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has made strides in digital literacy, teacher training, and infrastructure. Students in these schools gain exposure to coding, AI, and interactive learning tools, skills meant to prepare them for a 21st-century economy.
However, the program’s focus on basic education means there’s no clear pathway for graduates to continue their tech-enabled education in senior secondary schools, which often lack comparable resources. This disconnect threatens to undo the progress made during their formative years.
Governor Sule’s administration has shown commitment to education, notably through the recent release of N6.7 billion in UBEC funds to sustain schools in Nasarawa and address out-of-school children. Yet, the absence of a seamless transition plan risks wasting the potential of these students.
For instance, while the Smart School in Lafia showcases students’ prowess in robotics and digital tools, there’s no guarantee these talents will be nurtured further. The state’s partnership with UBEC, now under the leadership of Senator Umaru Tanko Al-makura, a seasoned educationist, presents an opportunity to bridge this gap. Al-makura’s influence could drive policies to extend the smart school model to senior secondary levels or create vocational pipelines aligning with the skills students have acquired.
The broader issue reflects a systemic flaw in Nigeria’s education strategy. As noted in a critique of UBEC’s role, “Certificates don’t feed nations—skills do.” While the smart schools emphasize technical and digital competencies, the lack of continuity will ultimately force students into conventional schools where these skills are neither prioritized nor expanded. This misalignment echoes the warning that Nigeria’s education system glorifies degrees over practical competence, leaving even the most promising students unprepared for the job market.
Solutions exist but require urgent action. UBEC’s Effective School Programme (ESP), which aims to scale minimum standards in basic education, could be expanded to senior secondary levels, ensuring the smart school ethos isn’t lost after JSS.
Additionally, partnerships with tech hubs and industries, as proposed in UBEC’s collaboration with NOUN for a Post-Graduate Diploma in Smart Education, could create apprenticeship opportunities for graduates.
Governor Sule’s administration, with its proven dedication, must now look beyond infrastructure and ask: How can these students’ early advantages translate into lifelong opportunities? The answer will determine whether the smart school experiment becomes a transformative success or another half-realized promise.
Abare is the Chairman, School Based Management Committee, UBEC Smart School, Lafia
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