Dr Chidiebere Anago
Governor Peter Mbah (GPM) of Enugu State is one of the most ambitious governors in over a decade in Nigeria. As this is the only justification for what he is doing in Enugu State, particularly in the education sector, since that is my sector. While other governors are penny-pinching on projects, GPM launched an ambitious experiment, redefining the future of learning in Nigeria.
Aligning with sustainable development goal 4—ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all—the GPM groundbreaking Smart Green Schools Initiative, under which 260 technology-driven schools are undergoing construction in all wards in the state simultaneously, is something cerebral that happens once in a donkey’s years from a passionate visionary. These schools are not just infrastructural upgrades that we are used to; they are masterpieces of vision-infused innovation and human capital development that are compliant with both environmental and economic sustainability.
Historically, or perhaps in the last three decades to date, Nigerians have not been lucky to have access to quality education as their right rather than privilege. Public schools that many people attended from the 90s till date suffer a universal fate: outdated curricula, dilapidated infrastructures and a widening gap between learning experiences in rural and urban areas.
However, GPM has just flipped the script by insisting that no child should be left behind, irrespective of background or location, with his Smart Green Schools Initiative, which he used to position the state’s youth for a future where having digital literacy is not only an advantage but now an essential necessity. Such a bold leap should be applauded by all because if the implementation, which is always a challenge for us, is delivered successfully, GPM has, within two years of his administration, sown a seed that could create a generation of globally competitive minds capable of conquering the world in innovation, technology, science and business.
But beyond the Smart Green Schools Initiative’s long-term impact in the education sector, which is one side of the story, the second side is the effect it is having on the social and economic fabric in Enugu State. Remember that investments always go to where there exists a highly skilled workforce, which is the reason Apple phones are coupled in China as opposed to the USA.
Businesses and entrepreneurship thrive where access to knowledge and technology are widespread. Investing in smart schools unlocks unprecedented opportunities and prepares the youths for the digital economy, and the digital economy remains the fastest-growing sector globally. In the next few years, I can hazard a fine guess that Enugu state will experience an economic boom, aligning with his bold vision of amplifying the state’s GDP to $30 billion.
One would think the above two stories bring an end to the ripple effect of this bold initiative. No! The project is a major driver of employment and economic activities in the state. Because of the scale of construction around Enugu, especially the smart schools project, there is massive demand for labour, especially for those in the building sector. Easily verifiable evidence on the ground shows that skilled and unskilled labourers are now scarce as electricians, carpenters, masons and other general artisans are fully engaged across multiple schools construction sites.
Thus, the project is not just about building classrooms; households incomes are rising, suppliers of construction markets are turning over more sales, building material markets revenue is increasing, cascading down to local commerce and generally stimulating economic growth at an unprecedented pace.
In circumspect, there must be measured expectation, because, as aforementioned, the road to transition to smart schools is never without obstacles. While the constructions are ongoing, the overall successful implementation of the bold vision will be first on the willingness of the communities to embrace change; second, the teaching quality; and thirdly, the adaptability of educators.
The human element of learning cannot be replaced by technology. What would have been a challenge is the integration of these smart learning tools into the classroom by the current teachers, which they may likely struggle due to the newness of the tools and lack of digital skills. This has the potential to limit the impact of this bold vision.
Impressively, the GPM administration are well aware of this and already prepared to commence the training of teachers to upgrade their skills in the new Experiential Learning Centre in Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and the Enugu State College of Education Technical, Enugu.
In light of the above, it is conclusive that Governor Peter Mbah’s smart schools initiative is a shift in thinking, more like priorities redefined, and with his judiciousness in the delivery of this initiative, he has used one stone to kill two birds by powering the transformation of a society and its people as well. No wonder he is the man in the national spotlight with the Universal Basic Education (UBEC), hailing him for setting a precedent for others to follow, and submitted that this project, when delivered successfully, would become a blueprint for a new era in Nigerian education.
Enugu indigenes and residents like us are much obliged for this GPM initiative as well as accepting to take the leap. Indeed, he is not just preparing Enugu’s children for the future; the future is already here, and he is simply guiding it. Interestingly, the argument now is not about the ambitiousness of this vision; it is how many states are ready to follow Enugu’s lead.
_Dr Anago, a Senior Lecturer with University of Nigeria and can be reached at canago@outlook.com_
