UBEC, ACEARD Launch Climate Change Education Training In Abia

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in partnership with the African Centre for Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development (ACEARD), has commenced the State-Level Step-Down Training on the Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Intervention (GSCCEI) in Abia State as part of efforts to strengthen climate change education and environmental sustainability within Nigeria’s basic education system.

The initiative, which brings together officials of State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) Desk Officers, school administrators, facilitators and other key stakeholders, is designed to build institutional capacity and facilitate the effective implementation of the programme across the country.

The Chief Executive Officer of ACEARD, Unyime Robinson, in a press release made available to LEADERSHIP praised UBEC for its commitment to integrating climate change education into Nigeria’s learning system.

He described the GSCCEI as a transformative intervention that would position schools as centres of environmental stewardship, innovation and resilience.

Robinson stated that the programme seeks to equip learners with climate literacy, sustainability knowledge and practical green skills needed to address current and future environmental challenges.

He added that the initiative represents a strategic investment in the nation’s youth and long-term sustainable development goals.

Declaring the training open on behalf of the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Aisha Garba, the Commission’s representative, Mr. Madmere Victor, described the intervention as a key component of the Federal Government’s education reform agenda aimed at preparing learners for a climate-resilient future.

Victor explained that the GSCCEI is aligned with the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI) and Nigeria’s commitments under the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership.

He disclosed that UBEC has developed a National GSCCEI Implementation Guidelines and Handbook, as well as a web-based Monitoring and Evaluation Portal to support implementation, accountability and performance tracking.

According to him, the Commission remains committed to providing continuous technical support to states and the Federal Capital Territory throughout the implementation process in collaboration with ACEARD.

Robinson further urged participants to serve as climate change champions in their respective communities and institutions, stressing that their role would be critical to the successful grassroots implementation of the programme.

He also reaffirmed ACEARD’s commitment to technical assistance, capacity building, monitoring and implementation support.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mrs. Lydia Ezihe Onuoha, welcomed participants and commended UBEC for extending the intervention to the state.

She noted that climate change continues to pose serious challenges to education and national development, emphasizing the need to equip schools with the tools, knowledge and skills necessary to respond effectively.

One of the highlights of the training was a presentation on Greening Education and the GSCCEI Implementation Guidelines, which provided participants with practical strategies for integrating climate change education, environmental sustainability, green skills and climate-resilient practices into school curricula and administration.

Participants were also introduced to the Climate and Green Champions Clubs Handbook, developed to guide the establishment and management of school-based clubs that will promote environmental awareness, climate action, leadership and sustainable practices among learners.

Built around seven core pillars, the GSCCEI integrates climate change education, green skills development and sustainability practices into basic and secondary school curricula nationwide. Stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute significantly to building greener, more sustainable and climate-resilient schools for present and future generations.