…as Ekiti hosts SUBEB Chairmen’s meeting

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has said that his administration would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting the use of digital devices and tools for teaching and learning in the state-owned schools.

Oyebanji gave the assurance in Ado-Ekiti , during the 7th Edition of the meeting of Executive Chairmen of States Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB), drawn from the six pilot states running the Smart School Programme and representatives of the six smart schools in the country supported by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye , called for greater support and total incorporation of Smart learning in the basic education sector across the country.

Oyebanji stated that it was imperative for the nation to fully focus on the integration of technology into the country’s educational system.

He said the meeting also granted the Chairmen and representatives of the six pilot states namely; Ekiti, Cross River, F.C.T, Kano, Nasarawa, and Bauchi the platform to share experiences and best practices towards boosting Smart education in the country.

Governor Oyebanji, who commended the ingenuity of KOICA for its partnership with UBEC and the six pilot states in facilitating the establishment of smart schools in the country, also appreciated his colleague- governors for their unwavering support and dedication towards the development of basic education.

The governor charged the management, staff and students of the smart schools to avail themselves of the opportunity that has been provided through the state-of-the-art facilities made available in their schools to acquire the needed skills and experience that would enhance their potentials.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB), Prof. Femi Akinwumi, described the event as a veritable platform to continue discussions on ways to further strengthen basic education partnerships as well as address challenges in funding, infrastructure, teacher shortages, improving basic education delivery and ultimately ensuring quality education for all Nigerian children.

Akinwumi stated that it was through the governor’s tenacity of purpose and the resilience of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye that the state was able to commence teaching and learning activities at the state smart school during the 2023/2024 Session.

According to the SUBEB boss, the Ekiti Smart School was ranked first among the six pilot schools in the country.

He said the good performances and success of the smart school, which happens to be the only one in the South-West, can be attributed to the dedication and support of the Oyebanji administration to continue to boost the development of the basic education sector.

Akinwumi said that the state would continue to strive to maintain and also improve on the current performance recorded in the first phase of the KOICA intervention, which will come to an end after the meeting.

In his remarks, the KOICA Country Director, Mr. Kim Eunsub lauded the state government for giving the team the enabling environment to carry out their duties.

 Eunsub said his team had been impressed with the pilot states for ensuring that all their efforts to improve students learning outcomes and enhance teachers’ teaching abilities have not been wasted.

Eunsub stressed that according to reports, the smart schools performed remarkably well; which has shown the positive impact of the project on teaching and learning outcomes.

He however used the opportunity to seek  continued support of the governors and strong leadership of the SUBEB Chairmen of the pilot states.

In her remarks, the Head teacher of the Primary Section of the Ekiti Smart School, Mrs. Toyosi Olokungboye, said the teachers and pupils of the school have been able to master the use of smart devices in the day to day teaching and learning activities in the school, thus improving learning outcomes.