STEM Child Care Academy paid a courtesy visit to Prof. Bashir Galadanci, the National Coordinator of the Digital Resource Center.

Alhaji Muhammad Mamu, the co-founder and CEO who led the delegation, expressed admiration for the impressive facilities the DRC has to offer.

He explained STEM Child Care Academy is a private school that offers a STEM curriculum focused on immersing students in fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, coding, and more.

The curriculum provides students with valuable opportunities to think critically and explore subjects that will prepare them for the challenges of digital disruption and the rapidly changing skill requirements of the future.

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Digital Resource Center organized a three-day training workshop to develop the capacities of Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Staff to serve as School Support Officers (SSOs) in the 21 operational Smart Schools across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

The training workshop themed ‘Empowering SSOs to Champion and Support Technology Integration and Blended Learning in Smart Schools’, was designed to equip participants with knowledge of the core principles of blended learning and its application in the Smart School context. It also aimed to develop the requisite skills to guide SSOs in managing technology integration initiatives, support teachers in implementing blended lessons and recognize teacher competencies in delivering smart education.

It is envisaged that the SSOs will be strengthened in communication and collaboration skills to facilitate effective support and mentorship for smart school teachers.

These objectives align with one of the core mandates of UBEC in the drive towards the delivery of quality basic education to all Nigerian children.

Declaring the workshop open, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Aisha Garba, stated that the training is a significant step in the ongoing commitment to enhance the quality of basic education in Nigeria through the effective integration of technology. The ES underscored the critical roles the SSOs need to play to ensure the viability and sustainability of the Smart Schools through mentorship and monitoring.

The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) team visited Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission.

During the visit, Mr. Son Sungil, the KOICA Country Director and head of the delegation, congratulated her on her recent appointment as UBEC Executive Secretary.

It will be recalled that the UBE Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KOICA in October 2021. The MoU revolves around three key aspects including the supply of studio equipment to selected smart schools, Content development, particularly in Mathematics and Science subjects and Capacity development for teachers and education managers across the country in using new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Blended Learning (BL) methodology.

A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) met with Prof. Bashir Galadanci, the National Coordinator of the Digital Resource Center, to discuss collaboration on the Effective Schools Programme (ESP). JICA’s lead delegate, Hikaru Kusakabe, engaged in productive discussions to outline a clear pathway for the ESP.

These discussions resulted in a shared understanding of priorities, defined timelines, and actionable steps for successfully implementing the 2025 Grant Aid Project.

The partnership aims to enhance education in Nigeria by focusing on improvements in Science and Mathematics Education, upgrading school infrastructure, and conducting the Basic Education Data Collection Survey (BEDS).

JICA will provide technical expertise and grant aid, positioning the ESP as a cornerstone of its upcoming project, aiming to elevate educational standards across Nigeria.

The Universal Basic Education Commission Digital Resource Centre conducted a four-day workshop on Design Thinking, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence (DTCRA) curriculum review and development of a Teachers’ Guide in collaboration with the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi the National Coordinator, UBEC DRC, Prof. Bashir Galadanci relayed to the participants that the workshop was designed to introduce educators and professionals to innovative methods for integrating robotics, artificial intelligence, and design thinking into the basic education curricula.

The four-day activity focused on fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills among learners by leveraging AI-driven robotics and coding modules, thus equipping educators with practical tools for effective implementation in smart schools.

During the workshop, stakeholders from the NERDC presented an overview of the robotics curriculum and key guidelines for developing the Teachers’ Guide which was later developed. They also provided feedback on the draft curriculum and Teachers’ Guide, offering insights and suggestions for improvement.

Workshop sessions covered key topics such as the philosophy of the DTCRA curriculum, the application of robotics frameworks, and the role of emerging technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual labs. It also deliberated on competency-based assessments and continuous feedback mechanisms for improved student engagement and learning outcomes.

The recommendations from the DCTRA workshop highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration between UBEC DRC and NERDC to ensure better content alignment. Additionally, there is a need to create a dedicated online platform for ongoing engagement among stakeholders, as well as to organize follow-up training sessions aimed at addressing gaps and reinforcing the implementation process.

The Korean International Corporation Agency (KOICA) held its first Best Practice Conference of Smart Schools in Nigeria at the UBEC Digital Resource Center, Abuja.

The two-day event featured an award ceremony in categories such as; the best KOICA-Supported Smart School, the Best Students (Primary/JSS), the Best Teachers (Primary/JSS), and the Best Content (Mathematics/Sciences).

During the occasion, UBEC DRC Staff served as evaluators in all the award categories based on specific criteria for the entries received from the Smart Schools.

The award for the Best Smart School in first place went to UBE Model Smart School, Lafia, Nasarawa State, while Kano and Bauchi States received second and third positions respectively.

The Best Student for Primary and JSS was awarded to UBE Model Smart School, Tarda, Kano State, securing first place, while Cross River and Bauchi States took second and third place, respectively.

Kano Smart School received the award for best teacher in the Primary section while Cross River Smart School won in the JSS section.

In the Best Content category, Smart School Bauchi won the Best Content in Mathematics award, while Cross River State received Best Content in Science.

There are six KOICA-supported States under the PMC Service for improving multimedia learning environments and teacher capacity development for public primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Nigeria. They include Bauchi, Cross River, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Kano States and the FCT, Abuja.The Korean International Corporation Agency (KOICA) held its first Best Practice Conference of Smart Schools in Nigeria at the UBEC Digital Resource Center, Abuja.

The Universal Basic Education Commission held a five-day DRC Research Committee meeting organized to evaluate and enhance the scoring rubrics’ effectiveness in educational assessments at the Digital Resource Center, Kado-Kuchi, Abuja.

This initiative aimed to refine the scoring framework to ensure it aligns with the educational standards set by UBEC Smart Education and promotes fairness, accuracy, and transparency in the evaluation process.

Through a series of collaborative sessions, the committee analyzed the existing rubrics, identified key areas for improvement, and developed evidence-based recommendations.

Key outcomes included refining the rubric and identifying areas for improvement, such as providing clearer guidelines for scoring ethical considerations and budget allocation.

The workshop highlighted the need for additional training to reduce biases and ensure uniformity in future evaluations. The committee recommended a pilot testing phase for the revised rubric to assess its effectiveness before full-scale implementation.

The Universal Basic Education Commission held a three-day training workshop in collaboration with Ubongo Kids at the Digital Resource Center Kado-Kuchi, Abuja.

The training activity aimed at empowering educators with the skills to incorporate storytelling and edutainment into their lesson delivery. The workshop focused on practical methods for utilizing multimedia content to enhance classroom interaction in the UBE Model Smart Schools.

Participants were drawn from various states, including Lead Guiding Teachers, DECC-Pro Trained Teachers and other Teachers from Phase 2 of the smart schools. The workshop featured group activities, micro-teaching sessions, and collaborative storytelling exercises.

The interactive training introduced participants to the concept of edutainment for classroom engagement and equipped participants with the requisite skills using Ubongo resources. It also groomed educators on the use of storytelling techniques in teaching through group activities, such as creating story outlines and lesson plans, fostering teamwork and creativity. LEGO building blocks were employed for storytelling exercises, which energized participants and enhanced engagement.

Participants engaged in micro-teaching sessions in groups, facilitating peer learning and feedback. This was achieved by using multimedia content relevant to classroom scenarios.

The workshop successfully demonstrated the potential of edutainment in enhancing classroom engagement and teaching effectiveness. Participants gained hands-on experience with storytelling techniques, multimedia content development, and lesson delivery strategies.

The UBEC Digital Resource Center embarked on a four-day Technical Support activity to improve and strengthen the teaching and learning processes in the Smart School system.

The primary goal was to enhance the teaching and learning process by providing personalized support to teachers and empowering them to effectively utilize technology and innovative teaching methods for improved learning outcomes.

This was achieved by observing classroom practices, which included the teacher’s instructional strategies, student engagement, and the use of technology. The DRC Technical Support tool was employed to evaluate these areas. Additionally, teachers received actionable and constructive feedback in one-on-one sessions after their classes.

The classroom observation focused on several key areas, including lesson planning that aligns with curriculum standards, as well as the integration of technology. Additionally, emphasis was placed on instructional strategies, particularly the use of blended learning methodology. Other important aspects comprised the assessment of learners and the mechanisms for providing feedback, the classroom environment, resource management, and strategies for technology integration and troubleshooting technical issues.

The technical support activity was carried out in functional smart schools nationwide to improve the quality of teaching and learning and enhance teacher capacity in using technology for instruction. The exercise also identified and addressed some challenges encountered in operating smart schools while fostering a culture of continuous professional development among teachers.

The UBEC Digital Resource Centre organized a two-day meeting with SUBEB Directors responsible for overseeing Smart Schools in various operational states. The Smart School Initiative aims to integrate technology into basic education and enhance teaching and learning outcomes in Nigeria.

The meeting brought together SUBEB Directors from twenty-four States, including Adamawa, Anambra, Gombe, Bauchi, FCT, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara, Kaduna and Zamfara States.

The meeting was convened to review the progress of the Smart School Programme at both the UBEC and SUBEB levels. Participants shared reports on academic achievements, technical developments, and structural improvements. The meeting aimed to identify challenges and create actionable solutions for the Smart School Programme’s sustainability. Additionally, it encouraged collaboration among SUBEB Directors to enhance implementation strategies while providing a platform for the phase three Directors to learn from previous phases and contribute to the evolution of the Smart School Programme.

The two-day meeting had distinct focus areas for each day, and presentations covered various aspects of the Smart School Programme, including academic progress, technical updates, and structural developments. Deliberations which highlighted the significant strides in blended learning, curriculum alignment, and teacher training were also made.

Group discussions were held where participants analyzed the main challenges faced by Smart Schools and proposed practical solutions. These discussions served as the foundation for developing a joint action plan to ensure the program’s sustainability.

The 2-day meeting highlighted the transformative potential of the Smart School initiative within the Nigerian education system. While significant achievements have been made, it is crucial to address current challenges for long-term success. Collaboration between UBEC, SUBEBs, and other stakeholders is essential to sustain progress and promote further innovation in the education sector.