The Abia government has signed a memorandum of agreement with Blue Giraffe Development Ltd. to establish 20 smart schools.

In a speech at the brief event in Umuahia, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, described it as “a significant moment”.

The smart school project, which promotes digital learning, features interactive learning systems, computerised boards, high-speed internet access, and solar-powered electricity.

The commissioner said that the MoA would create the enabling environment for the consultant to commence in full swing. He stated that one school was selected in each of the 17 LGAs for the establishment of a smart school.

According to him, the three remaining ones will be established in each of the three senatorial districts of Abia North, Abia South, and Abia Central.

Mr Ubochi said, “We have classified the timeline into three. The first nine will be delivered between now and September or October. The second will come by the fourth quarter of the year, and the last one will come by the first quarter of next year. This is just the beginning because over time, we don’t even mind making all the schools in Abia smart.”

Mr Ubochi said that the state was blessed with God-sent Governor Alex Otti, “who is so passionate about education”. He said that the governor was doing everything possible to ensure that what had happened globally in the 21st Century in education was applied in the state.

He said that the aim was to give Abia children the confidence to compete with their peers at any level all over the world.