Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state has said his administration is taking bold and unprecedented steps to transform basic education in the state with the Smart School Initiative, making Enugu a rising beacon of educational innovation in Nigeria.
Governor Mbah stated this on Wednesday during the state launch and Inception meeting of the Phase 2 European Union-UNESCO project: Education and Youth Empowerment in Nigeria with the theme “Expand, Integrate and Srengthen Systems (EISS) to build teachers’ capacity and resilience”, (2024-2028) held in Enugu.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Education Innovation, Dr. Chinyere Onyeisi, Governor Mbah said the smart schools already being built in all Political wards in the state is already redefining teaching, learning and prepare the children for the future.
He commended the European Union and UNESCO for the noble and far- reaching initiative, which he said demonstrates their unwavering dedication to improving access, equity and quality education, especially in foundation learning and teacher development.
According to MBAH, this project could not have come at a better time than now.
“Through this initiative, we have begun the construction of 260 Smart Schools, one in every political ward in Enugu State, to ensure that no child is left behind. This is not just infrastructure, it is a vision. A vision of accessible, inclusive, and technology-driven education at the grassroots”.
“However, we understand that great schools alone do not make great learners, great teachers do”.
“That is why we are excited that the EISS Project focuses on teacher capacity, resilience, and systemic strengthening. It aligns seamlessly with our policy direction on Experiential Learning Pedagogy to empower teachers with 21st-century skills, strengthen educational governance, and foster a learning culture that is dynamic, equitable, and relevant”.
“We are building not only smart schools but smart teachers, smart classrooms, and a smart generation of learners. The synergy between our local reforms and this global initiative is a powerful force for change”.
“As we launch this project today, I want to assure our partners that Enugu State Government is fully committed. We will provide the enabling environment, policy support, and collaborative engagement needed to ensure the full and successful implementation of this programme”.
“To the teachers, education officers, development partners, civil society groups, and all stakeholders present, this is our shared moment to invest not just in programs, but in people; not just in policies, but in purpose; not just in education, but in a new future. Let us seize this opportunity with unity and resolve”.
“On behalf of the Government and good people of Enugu State, I say welcome, and let us work together to build a stronger, smarter, and more inclusive education system, for today, for tomorrow, and for generations to come”, Mbah said.
Speaking, the Head of UNESCO office, Abuja and UNESCO representative to Nigeria, Albert Mendy, who was represented by Mowish Joshi, said the project is a joint initiative of the European Union and UNESCO to strengthen Nigeria’s education system by improving system governance, quality teaching and learning through enhanced teacher education programme and improved teacher resilience.
He disclosed that a global shortage of teachers is hindering access to quality education, with a projected deficit of 44 million teachers to achieve primary and secondary universal education by 2030.
“Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, as we approach the 2030 Agenda deadline, the pivotal role of teachers in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) aiming to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities far all, has become increasingly necessary”.
“Your Excellency, as you may be aware, a needs assessment was carried out by UNESCO in the six beneficiary states of this project last year, to inform project design and implementation. The beneficiary states, selected from the six geo-political zones are Adamawa, Bayelsa, Enugu, Kotsina, Oye and Plateau”.
“The report of the needs assessment shows that Enugu state has 14,080 teachers in public schools at the Basic Education level and all of them have the required professional qualifications, with NCE as the minimum needed. But while this is good news for the public schools, the private schools still need to catch up. To be discussed later during the session to share the findings of the needs assessment report”.
“The report also shows key gaps in the education sector across the six states and underscores the need to strengthen the National Teacher Education Policy (NTEP), improve teacher recruitment and retention, especially in rural areas, and enhance corfinuous professional development (CPD)”.
“The report of the assessment further highlights the importance of integrating modern digital pedagogies, inclusive education practices, and addressing climate change and gender sensitivity in the teacher training curriculum”.
“Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, these challenges require concerted efforts and urgently too, if we must meet the state’s commitment to transform lives through education.
“UNESCO, as the lead agency for SDG globally has proven capacity and technical expertise in education and a network of specialized institutes to lead project implementation to achieve the project objectives”.
According to Mendy, the project holds a promise for the future of the teaching profession in Enugu State and appreciated the European Union, for supporting the initiative.
“This project is therefore timely as it seeks to strengthen Government capacities to assess teaching needs and developing strong, evidence-based policies in relation to teacher recruitment, deployment, management, and professional development”.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the state commissioner for Education, Professor Ndubueze Mbah represented by a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Patrick Ochi said Enugu state is excited to be selected among six states in Nigeria to pioneer the project.
He noted that the Peter Mbah-led administration is already making pioneering efforts in the education sector, which are evident in the commitment of 33% of the total annual budget to education sector, construction of 260 Smart Green Schools across the state that are transforming experiential learning, focusing on equipping learners with future skills.
“This initiative comes at a critical time for Enugu State as we strive to expand, integrate, and strengthen our educational system to meet the needs of the 21 century”.
“As a State we feel honoured to be among the six selected states in Nigeria to pioneer this project”.
“Since the inception of this administration in May 2023, Enugu people have embraced s mantra that says, “TOMORROW IS HERE”, It is an action call that reminds us daily of the urgency of rebuilding of society to meet the challenges of the forthcoming global 4th Industrial Revolution”.
“ Investing in education therefore became a major strategy of the Enugu State Government to achieving a prosperous tomorrow’.
He said that achieving such ambitious education reform requires massive and unprecedented investment in the professional development of capacity of teachers.
“This is why the EU-UNESCO focus on building teacher capacity and resilience is not only timely but essential for Enugu State”.
“Teachers are the backbone of our educational reform, and investing in their development is investing in the future of our youth and the nation at large”.
“Enugu State is making concerted effort in this direction to ensure that our teachers are not only compliant in digital education but acquaint themselves with the new pedagogy of EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING”.
Professor Mbah commended the European Union and UNESCO for their unwavering commitment to supporting education in Enugu state stressing that their partnership and technical support will help Enugu bridge historic gaps, equip teachers with the competencies to deliver a world class education to Enugu children, and empower the youth with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world
He expressed the Enugu State Ministry of Education commitment to policies and actions that foster innovation, professional development, and sustainable education reforms.
There were goodwill messages from the Secretary -General, Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO, Dr. I.L. Olagunju, State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Theophilus Odo, Registrar of Teachers, Ministry of Education, Dr. Mrs Ify Eze as well as Chairman, Association of Persons with Disabilities, Mr Onyebuchi Mba and the Traditional Ruler of Edem Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom, Igwe Sir Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu.
Highpoints of the event was the official inauguration of the State Project Steering Committee and presentation of report of needs assessment.
