Nyanya:Abuja: The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced the renovation of 287 schools and over 4,000 classrooms across the nation in a bid to enhance the infrastructure of basic education.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, made this announcement while commissioning renovated classroom blocks and other facilities at Nyanya-Hausawa Basic and Secondary School. These efforts are part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at providing children throughout the country with conducive learning environments.
UBEC has introduced a minimum standard that requires a whole-school approach to government interventions, addressing the comprehensive needs of schools instead of fixing individual facilities. This approach encompasses classrooms, toilets, boreholes, solar power, administrative blocks, and learning materials among other facilities.
Under the mandate of President Bola Tinubu, all children should have access to education in an environment conducive to learning. This directive has been taken seriously by the administration, resulting in various reforms within the education sector. New school infrastructures are now required to include perimeter fencing, security measures, solar power, and adequate facilities to support effective teaching and learning.
The renovated Nyanya school, previously in a dilapidated state, now boasts improved facilities, including the renovation of three blocks with about 30 classrooms and 48 toilets, connected to water systems supplied by solar-powered boreholes. Further interventions are planned to address additional needs like the provision of an administrative block.
Dr. Garba also commissioned 74 digital learning centres to improve access to technology-driven education, with over 2,000 established under President Tinubu’s administration. These centres are equipped with computers, smartboards, solar panels, and internet connectivity, providing both online and offline learning content. Teachers have been trained to effectively use these digital facilities.
Ibrahim Nura, Director of Physical Planning at UBEC, highlighted that the renovations followed a condition assessment to determine the specific needs of the Nyanya school, which had been in poor condition. This intervention has transformed the school, improving facilities for students and teachers.
Gideon Isah, Principal of the Junior school at Nyanya-Hausawa, praised UBEC for the renovations, which included new furniture and a solar water system. He noted the improvements in the morale of teachers and students and appealed for assistance with an administrative block. The community, alongside the Parent-Teacher Association, has employed security personnel to protect the renovated facilities, with assurances to maintain and judiciously use them.