Smart Schools to Open in Abia as Government Deploys Security to Protect Against Vandalism
In a major stride toward educational transformation, the Abia State Government has announced that the newly constructed Smart Schools across the state will soon be open to students. To ensure the safety and longevity of these facilities, the government is deploying personnel from the Abia State Homeland Security to guard the schools against vandals and criminal elements.
Speaking during the official signing of a contract between the state and Blue Giraffe Ltd. on Saturday, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Goodluck Chinedu Ubochi, revealed that 20 Smart Schools are currently under construction as part of the first phase of the project. Each of the 17 Local Government Areas in the state will host one Smart School, with three additional schools to be built—one in each of the state’s three senatorial districts.
The Commissioner explained that the initiative is part of Governor Alex Otti’s broader plan to raise the quality of education in Abia and equip students to compete effectively with their counterparts globally.
He emphasized that the Smart Schools would be open to children from both wealthy and low-income backgrounds, assuring that no child would be discriminated against based on socioeconomic status.
Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Kenechukwu Nwosu, issued a stern warning to potential vandals. “Any attempt to loot or destroy these schools will be met with arrests and prosecution,” he stated, adding that CCTV cameras will be installed around all facilities to monitor activities and identify intruders.
Nwosu also highlighted the long-term benefits of the project, noting that the digitalization of Abia’s school system will give students an edge in national and international examinations. He dismissed concerns that the initiative could become a white elephant project, stressing that it is designed to be sustainable.
Rear Admiral Harry Ngonadi (Rtd.) and Orieji Okwara-Emele, representatives of Blue Giraffe Ltd., said that the new Smart Schools would gradually phase out outdated methods such as the use of chalkboards, replacing them with smartboards and other digital teaching tools.
“Yes, what we are trying to do is ensure that teachers will no longer need to use chalk. It will be smartboards in these twenty pilot schools, and others will follow,” said Okwara-Emele.
The Smart Schools project marks a significant leap forward in Abia State’s educational development, combining digital infrastructure with security measures to create a safe and modern learning environment for every child.
