Resources

In collaboration with NABU, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Digital Resource Center (DRC) organized a Workshop on Creative Literacy for Teacher-Librarians from 21 operational UBE Model Smart Schools in Nigeria. The three-day workshop focused on introducing creative digital literacy programmes like the ‘Read-aloud’ sessions and reading fairs to make reading an enjoyable adventure and experience for learners. This initiative aims to enhance literacy education through innovative and culturally relevant methods, thereby creating access to over 300 digital and physical storybooks in indigenous languages. NABU is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to literacy resources for children in their mother tongue and is committed to transforming literacy education through culturally relevant, innovative, and creative approaches. The workshop was designed to empower teacher-librarians with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to lead the NABU programme in the UBE Smart Schools by familiarizing them with NABU’s resources and exposing them to cutting-edge literacy practices.

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.