The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in Nigeria has introduced a digital platform designed to enable parents and communities to monitor basic education projects and funds allocated to states. This development is part of UBEC's preparations to implement its 10-year Universal Basic Education Roadmap 2026–2035, which is set to commence in October. The platform, known as the Basic Education Action Plan Management System, aims to enhance transparency, planning, and monitoring of interventions.
According to UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Aisha Garba, the digital platform provides information on funds accessed by states and projects being implemented, allowing communities to track interventions in their schools and hold relevant authorities accountable. The platform has been under development for over a month, and chairmen of the 36 state Universal Basic Education Boards have been onboarded ahead of its full deployment in October.
The new digital system is part of UBEC's shift towards a "whole school approach" to basic education interventions. This approach requires states to identify the comprehensive needs of individual schools before their action plans can be approved. Under this approach, states will not be able to implement isolated projects, such as constructing classrooms or supplying furniture without addressing other essential requirements in the same school.
Dr. Garba emphasized that the whole school approach means considering all the gaps in a school, including infrastructure, furniture, and computers. She noted that additional classrooms would have to be matched with adequate toilet facilities based on projected enrollment. This approach aims to move away from isolated projects and focus on comprehensive school development.
The UBEC boss also announced a revision of the matching-grant formula to give states greater flexibility to deploy UBEC funds according to their specific education needs. The previous approach largely focused on new infrastructure, whereas some states now require funding for the renovation and improvement of existing schools. The new formula allows each state to look at their own needs and allocate funds accordingly.
The development of the digital platform and the whole school approach come amid persistent challenges in Nigeria's basic education sector. According to the United Nations Children's Fund, 10.5 million children aged five to 14 are out of school in Nigeria, and learning assessments have shown significant gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy. The new roadmap is expected to guide basic education interventions across the country through 2035.
The UBEC Executive Secretary and other stakeholders, including the Dean of SUBEB Chairmen, Prof. Shehu Adaramaja, have emphasized the importance of the consultation and the new roadmap in establishing a common direction for basic education delivery over the next decade. The new digital system is expected to provide an additional layer of public oversight as UBEC and the states implement the 10-year roadmap.
Key points
- UBEC has launched a digital platform to track education funds and projects in Nigeria.
- The platform aims to improve transparency and accountability in basic education.
- The new roadmap will guide basic education interventions across the country through 2035.
