Delta’s Teacher Tracking Model can Strengthen Basic Education Nationwide – UBEC

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The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has described Delta State’s technology-driven teacher attendance system, Attend360, as an innovation that could strengthen accountability and improve learning outcomes nationwide.
‎This ilwas contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Ikharo Attah, Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa.
Garba made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Delta State Government in Asaba.
The meeting themed: “Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact,” was part of activities marking the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs).
The meeting brought UBEC management and SUBEB chairmen from across the country to Delta to examine how investment, innovation and effective implementation could improve basic education.
Garba said the platform, which monitors teacher attendance, demonstrated how technology could address one of the fundamental requirements for effective education by ensuring that teachers were present and actively engaged in classrooms.
‎“There is no education or quality learning without a good teacher or without a teacher in the classroom.
‎“You can build as many schools as you want, but as long as there is no teacher, and a good teacher, in the classroom, learning will not take place,” she said.
‎She said Delta was selected to host the meeting because of the progress recorded in its education sector, particularly its use of technology to improve school management, teacher attendance and accountability.
‎The executive secretary commended the state for its record in accessing UBE matching grants, noting that it had accessed its matching grant up to 2025 and was among states setting the pace in basic education.
‎She, however, urged the state to ensure full utilisation of available UBEC funds and prompt implementation of approved programmes, stressing that investment in education must translate into better facilities, stronger teaching and improved learning outcomes.
‎Garba also encouraged Delta state to position itself to benefit from the education component of the HOPE Education Programme, a World Bank-supported intervention with up to 500 million dollars earmarked for education.
‎She explained that one of the key requirements for participating states was to access the 2026 matching grant and implement at least 50 per cent of the 2025 Action Plan.
‎Garba urged Delta to sustain its investment in education, utilise available resources and take advantage of UBEC’s technical support.
‎Responding, the Deputy Governor of the state, Monday Onyeme, assured UBEC that the state would continue to improve its education system and make quality education accessible to more citizens.
‎The deputy governor clarified that updated records showed that Delta had about one billion naira in unutilised funds, rather than eight billion naira earlier referenced.
‎He also disclosed that the state had implemented about 90 per cent of its 2025 Action Plan and had already received its 2026 matching grant.
‎Describing education as one of the state’s major areas of investment, Onyeme pledged that Delta would continue to improve its performance.
‎“We will continue to improve and do our best to ensure that we give education to as many citizens as possible,” he said.
‎The conversation on strengthening basic education continued during a separate courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Azinge.
‎During the visit, Garba highlighted the importance of traditional institutions and other stakeholders in advancing the national education agenda.
‎She said UBEC’s goal was to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of location, circumstance or family background, had the opportunity to receive quality basic education.
‎“Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian child, regardless of their circumstances or where they live, whether they come from a poor family or a rich family, must have the opportunity to receive quality basic education,” she said.
‎Garba also acknowledged the Asagba’s support for education initiatives in Delta, including efforts around smart schools, and called for stronger collaboration among traditional institutions, government and education agencies.
Reflecting on the engagements with the Delta State Government and the Asagba of Asaba, she said the priority was to ensure that investments, innovations and commitments across the states translated into real improvements in classrooms and better learning outcomes for children.
‎She assured Nigerians that UBEC would continue to work with states, traditional institutions and other stakeholders by providing the technical support and collaboration needed to strengthen basic education nationwide.
‎Garba also reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian child, regardless of where they lived or their circumstances, had access to quality basic education and the opportunity to build a stronger future.
‎In his response, Azinge described basic education as the foundation on which Nigeria’s future was built, stressing that it was at that stage that children were nurtured, trained and prepared for future challenges.
‎He emphasised the importance of quality teachers in primary schools, noting that the quality of teachers ultimately determined the quality of people produced by the education system.
‎“If you have quality teachers, you produce quality people,” he said.
‎Azinge urged UBEC and SUBEB chairmen to confront the challenges facing basic education and develop robust and practical solutions.
‎He stressed that no child should be left behind, including children with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, insisting that every Nigerian child deserved access to basic education.