UBEC Backs Technology To Tackle Teacher Absenteeism

The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, has advocated the use of technology to track teacher attendance as a strategy to strengthen accountability and improve learning outcomes in basic education nationwide.

Garba specifically cited Delta State’s Attend360 platform as an example of how technology can address one of the most fundamental requirements for effective education.

She said the technology-driven system, which monitors teacher attendance, demonstrates the role innovation can play in ensuring that teachers are present and actively engaged in the classroom.

“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 made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the Delta State Government as part of activities marking the 30th Quarterly Meeting of UBEC Management with Executive Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) in Asaba.

Garba 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 meeting, themed

“Repositioning Basic Education in Nigeria to Optimise Investment and Impact,” brought UBEC management and SUBEB Chairmen from across the country to Delta State to examine how investment, innovation and effective implementation can deliver greater impact in basic education.

The UBEC Executive Secretary commended the state for its record in accessing UBE matching grants, noting that Delta 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 that available UBEC funds are fully utilised and approved programmes implemented promptly, stressing that investment in education must ultimately translate into better facilities, stronger teaching and improved learning outcomes.

Garba also encouraged Delta to position itself to benefit from the education component of the HOPE Education Programme, a World Bank-supported intervention with up to $500m earmarked for education.

She explained that one of the key requirements for participating states is to access the 2026 matching grant and implement at least 50 per cent of the 2025 Action Plan.

She urged Delta to sustain its investment, utilise available resources and take advantage of UBEC’s technical support.

Responding to the issues raised by the Executive Secretary, Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme assured UBEC that Delta would continue to improve its education system and make quality education accessible to more citizens.

Onyeme clarified that updated records showed that Delta had about ₦1 billion in unutilised funds, rather than ₦8 billion, as 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.

While describing education as one of Delta’s major areas of investment, the Deputy Governor pledged that the state 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.

A statement by the minister’s Special Adviser (Media and Communications), Ikharo Attah, also stated that the conversation on strengthening basic education continued during a separate courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Azinge, where Garba highlighted the importance of traditional institutions and other stakeholders in advancing the national education agenda.