Abuja:The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is set to commence the full implementation of its 10-Year Universal Basic Education Roadmap from 2026 to 2035, starting in the first week of October. This announcement was made by UBEC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, during a two-day consultative workshop in Abuja with chairmen from the 36 State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) and UBEC directors.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Garba also introduced the Basic Education Action Plan Management System (BEAPMS), a digital platform aimed at enhancing planning, transparency, and monitoring of basic education projects nationwide. She emphasized that these reforms are intended to transition from isolated projects to a comprehensive ‘whole school approach’ in basic education interventions.
The ‘whole school approach’ requires states to conduct a thorough assessment of a school’s needs before UBEC approves their action plans. This includes addressing needs such as fencing, toilets, furniture, computers, or additional classrooms. Dr. Garba explained that the revised matching grant formula will allow states to use UBEC funds based on their specific education needs, moving away from the previous focus on new infrastructure.
Dr. Garba highlighted that the new formula supports addressing diverse needs, such as furniture, renovation, and additional facilities, thus allowing states to prioritize based on local requirements. She added that the BEAPMS platform involves communities in monitoring projects in their schools, promoting transparency and accountability for the funds accessed and projects implemented by the government.
Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, Dean of SUBEB Chairmen, noted that the consultation aims to align stakeholders on a unified direction for basic education delivery over the next decade. The workshop facilitates the development of a comprehensive framework to guide state-level basic education action plans.
UBEC’s Director of Physical Planning, Nura Ibrahim, stated that the workshop allows stakeholders to review and validate the proposed roadmap, contributing their technical expertise to enhance the implementation of basic education programs across the states.