……Vows to Sustain Status of State Smart School, Ijan.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the provision of high quality education in the State, through ongoing efforts to upscale teaching and learning outcomes in the basic education sector in the State

Governor Oyebanji who gave the reassurance during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Ekiti State Smart School Fair held at the premises of the Smart School, Ijan Ekiti spoke of the significance of the programme, stating that it was designed to showcase the school and promote the image of the state’s smart school which took off about a year ago.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olabimpe Aderiye, Oyebanji stated that the aim of the Smart School is to provide high quality education through conducive teaching and learning environment through the deployment of modern methods of education and the latest technology in the quest to make learning interactive and smart by introducing technology into education thereby enhancing teaching/learning, communication and collaboration.

The Governor while noting that the school is a place where learners can sharpen their skills in preparation for their future careers, also said that it has engaged learning management system which enables effortless and smooth teaching-learning process, reducing the stress on the students and making them smarter through the state’s collaboration with Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Korea Intervention Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

He disclosed that the school has been providing learners that cut across Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE), Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools with ease of learning by providing a well structured and interactive learning platform filled with relevant materials, digital environment and experienced teachers to enhance learning and connect them to resources which they need to reach their full academic potentials.

While reiterating the commitment of his administration to ensuring the development of the education sector through provision of infrastructure, conducive environment suitable for teaching and learning, improved teachers’ welfare and capacity building, he also charged the management, staff and students of the citadel of learning to avail themselves of the opportunity of the state-of-the art facilities available in the school to acquire the needed skills and experience that can enhance their potentials and shape their future.

Governor Oyebani also used the opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of UBEC and KOICA for their endeavors to establish technologically immense school that will provide the Ekiti State children with high l education that would be able to rival l educational standards observed in various advanced nations across the globe.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Prof. Femi Akinwumi stated that the takeoff of the Smart School last year was borne out of the intent of the Governor to ensure that it empowers the minds of the next generation through innovative and sustainable smart education and establishing an all encompassing and long lasting intelligent education system in the state public schools .

Prof. Akinwumi stated that, as an innovative means of learning, Smart Education empowers educators by enhancing their skills and enables learners to acquire knowledge in a more efficient, effective and adaptable manner while maintaining a comfortable learning environment.

The SUBEB Boss who noted that considering the quality of the facilities at the school.coupled with the employment of qualitative & experienced teaching and non-teaching staff and other enrollment strategies being employed by the State government, he has no doubt that the enrollment for the next academic session would improve.

“The school’s learners’ enrollment is currently at 310 pupils while hoping that in the next academic year, the number will double or triple. The school can as well boast of not just a group of passionate individuals committed and dedicated to basic education, as they also constitute a collective force wholeheartedly committed to shaping and nurturing the future of learners”.

Prof. Akinwumi while reiterating the Oyebanji led administration’s commitment to the improvement of basic education sector also used the opportunity to commend the Governor noting that his passion for education has led to provision of infrastructures, conducive teaching/learning environment, teachers’ welfare, capacity building and the approval of payment of counterpart funds for UBEC/SUBEB projects.

The Chairman who urged the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and School Based Management Committee (SBMC) to support the efforts of government in enhancing the growth of the school, also appealed to parents, guardians of pupils and the entire populace to seize the opportunity to enroll their wards in the school as the new academic year would begin shortly.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hammid Bobboyi , who was represented by the UBEC Head of Research Unit, Dr. Phebe Jato said that the intention was to bring the school to a level where it can compete favorably with any other educational centre around the world.

Dr. Bobboyi who lauded the Ekiti State government for its effort to ensure a smooth takeoff of the smart school also promised that UBEC would continue to invest in the school, its pupils and teachers.

While stating that the success of the school would require the effort of all stakeholders, he solicited their support in order to secure better future for the learners.

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In his address, the Country Director, Korea Intervention Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Mr Sungil Son who was represented by the KOICA Project Management Consultant, Dr. Mijeong Kim appreciated the state government for providing a safe and conducive environment for the team to effectively establish a technological based education centre in the State.

Mr. Sungil also lauded the entire management and staff of SUBEB and the Smart School for supporting the agency towards ensuring a transformation of education through technology, adding that, it is important to shape the future of learning and empower the minds of the next generation through innovative and sustainable smart education in the State.

He however charged the Smart School teachers that have been trained by KOICA to ensure they cascade the acquired knowledge to the learners as well as to their counterparts in other Local Government Areas of the State.

Reacting, His Royal Majesty, Onijan of Ijan Ekiti, Oba Lawrence Aladesuyi, appreciated the State Government for establishing the smart school in his community and promised the continued support of the community to enhance the growth of the school.

Oba Aladesuyi also thanked KOICA for investing in the education of Nigeria learners stating that it would bring about more educational development to the country.

“We know the value of what has been established in our community and we promise UBEC and SUBEB that the school will be well sustained for the educational prospects of our children”.

The representative of the Governor and all stakeholders present were conducted round the schools facilities which includes; Robotics Laboratory, Digital Content Studio and Broadcasting Office where general announcements are made to both teachers and learners.

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