Enugu State has officially begun the rollout of Smart Green Schools, Governor Peter Mbah’s flagship education reform that aims to transform how children learn and prepare for the future. The initiative, unveiled on September 22, 2025, marks a shift from rote memorisation to experiential, technology-driven, and inclusive learning models.
What Are Smart Green Schools?
Smart Green Schools are digitally connected, eco-friendly learning hubs designed to equip students with skills for the 21st century. Each of the 260 schools will feature:
25 modern classrooms with digital connectivity.
ICT centres, robotics and AI labs, and e-libraries.
Smart farms where students learn agriculture hands-on.
Renewable energy sources to keep schools sustainable.
On-site teacher housing, medical clinics, clean water, and community halls.
Why Is This Important?
Governor Mbah argues that Africa’s sovereignty and future competitiveness rest on the quality of its young population. With over 60% of Africans under 25, he said education must go beyond textbooks and memorisation:
“Our sovereignty begins in the classroom. It will be determined by the strength of our young people – their ability to think critically, to innovate, and to act with integrity.”
By providing free uniforms, books, meals, and tablets, the schools also aim to bridge inequalities so that no child is excluded due to poverty.
The Bigger Picture
Education in Enugu is receiving an unprecedented 33% of the state’s budget. Mbah frames the schools not just as infrastructure, but as an investment in human capital:
For children: Learning becomes practical and creativity-driven, linking theory with real-world application.
For communities: Schools double as commons, where health, social cohesion, and local development intersect.
For teachers: Continuous training and mentorship are built in, recognising that “machines do not teach; people do.”
Challenges Ahead
The scale of the project means not every school is ready on day one. Some will open this week, others in the coming weeks. Mbah admitted to setbacks and delays, but assured that all schools will begin operations this term.
He urged communities to protect the new schools, emphasising they are “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring world-class education home.”
Enugu’s model reflects a wider conversation across Africa about how to educate a rapidly growing young population. By combining technology, sustainability, and inclusivity, Smart Green Schools could become a case study in reimagining public education systems on the continent.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
