The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has extended its Enrollment Drive Campaign and Sensitization Programme to Benue Geo-Political Zone C, following a successful launch in Makurdi for Zone B.
The event, held at Leach Hotel Otukpo, brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including parents, teachers, traditional leaders, and religious leaders.
The campaign aims to cover all three senatorial zones, with a target of significantly increasing enrollment in public schools for the next academic session.
Dr. Grace Adagba, Executive Chairman of SUBEB, emphasized the importance of embracing free and compulsory basic education available in public schools, which has been revitalized to benefit children in the state.
She noted that Governor Alia’s administration has revitalized public schools for optimal outcomes and urged parents to take advantage of this opportunity.
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In a statement by SUBEB Information Officer Emmanuella Akese, Dr. Adagba expressed concern that despite efforts to make education compulsory, public schools are underutilized due to a lack of pupils.
She revealed plans to recruit 9,700 teachers to improve the quality of education and added that teachers in public primary schools in Benue receive quarterly training from experts from Universal Basic Education in collaboration with donor agencies like UNICEF.
“It is our priority and desire that all public schools in Benue are adequately enrolled and equipped.
The governor has recently announced the recruitment of more teachers into our basic schools to further enhance the quality of education in addition to those already trained and retrained by both federal and state governments,” she said.
The Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Reverend (Dr) Frederick Ikyaan, expressed concern about the number of out-of-school children in Benue State and called for the collective participation of all stakeholders to ensure children receive quality education that prepares them for the 21st century.
He emphasized that the enrollment drive campaign aims to unlock potential and build a prosperous society.
During a courtesy visit to the O’chi Idoma, His Royal Majesty Dr. John Elaigwu Odogbo described the program as timely and pledged to partner with SUBEB to encourage parents to enroll their children in public schools.
He commended Dr. Adagba for her efforts and promised that the Idoma Traditional Council would mobilize its members to support the enrollment drive.
In a presentation titled “Free Compulsory Basic Education for All Children: The Role of Parents and the Community,” Dr. Jackson Odey from Benue State University Makurdi argued that while the government fulfills its responsibility of providing free education, parents must play their complementary role in preparing their children to access basic education.
Other presenters, including Dr. Nasela Pila, Dr. Peter Akpen, and Ruth Kwaghkaha, emphasized the need for parents and guardians to enroll their children in Early Childhood Care Development Education (ECCDE) Centres, Public Primary Schools, and Junior Secondary Schools.
In separate goodwill messages, the Ad’Ohimini Chief John Ochai and State NUT Chairman Comrade Levi Akuma commended Dr. Grace Adagba for the ECCDE initiative and pledged their commitment to its successful implementation in Benue.
The sensitization campaign was attended by traditional leaders, religious leaders, community groups, principals, headteachers, and education managers from the nine local government areas in the zone.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE