Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has disclosed that his administration will build over 250 smart schools in 260 districts of the state to provide the poorest child in the remotest part of the state with world-class education using 21st century tools.
The governor said the state has completed the construction of one smart school and that a contract has been awarded to build nine more. Mbah further revealed that an additional 250 smart schools would be built across the state in less than 14 months.
Governor Mbah made this known while delivering the keynote address at the convocation ceremony of the Enugu State University of Technology, Esut, Agbani on Saturday.
The governor stressed the importance of education in increasing Enugu State’s current gross domestic product from $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2031, adding that 30 percent of the state’s 2024 budget was allocated for education.
Features of smart schools
According to the Enugu State Governor, each of the smart schools that will be built across the state will be equipped with internet access, solar energy and a modern ICT center.
In addition, each smart school will have a robotics and artificial intelligence center, two well-equipped laboratories for primary and middle school, a creative production workshop, 25 inclusive classrooms, with interactive digital whiteboards, Android tablets for students’ use, among others.
Governor Mbah also disclosed that teachers who will pilot the affairs of model smart schools in Enugu State are currently undergoing training by global experts.
What Governor Mbah says:
- “I previously delivered the keynote address at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Agbani, Enugu State.
- “During my presentation, I emphasized the importance of quality education while congratulating the 9,017 graduates who obtained various undergraduate and advanced degrees.
- “Education remains our greatest weapon in the fight against poverty. Under my leadership, the education system of Enugu State will experience radical changes.
- “Our priority was primary education. When we projected our GDP to grow from its current level of $4.4 billion to $30 billion by 2031, we placed education at the center of our strategy.
- “We have developed a revolutionary strategy that is currently being implemented. The idea is to modernize the current education system in Enugu State, from primary schools to secondary schools to tertiary education institutions such as ESUT.
- “We are improving curricula to provide the poorest child in the remotest part of Enugu State with a world-class education using 21st century tools.
- “We allocated 30% for education for this purpose. state budget in 2024, which exceeds the recommended international level.
- “Interestingly, we have completed the construction of one smart school and awarded a contract to build nine more, and in less than 14 months, 250 more will be built, which will cover all 260 departments across the state. In addition, teachers who will pilot the model schools are currently being trained by world experts.
- “Smart schools will be properly equipped with Internet access, solar energy, a robotics and artificial intelligence center, a modern ICT center, two well-equipped laboratories for primary and secondary schools, a creative production workshop, 25 integration classes with interactive digital boards, tablets with Android for students’ use, including:
- “Our dream of an Enugu State education system could outlive us. It is this foundation that we are laying now and we hope that posterity will benefit from it.
- “I commend the management of ESUT for the good work done at the institution and for inviting me to deliver the keynote address on a day like this.”
