The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SUBEB

  • ICT-based teaching: Edo calls for 300 primary school teachers

    The Edo State Government has called for 300 volunteers among primary school teachers working in public schools to pilot its Edo Best programme, an initiative designed to introduce and entrench the use of computers, tablets and other Information and Communication Technology-based gadgets for teaching across the state.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Basic Education and Acting Chairperson, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Oviawe, who disclosed this, urged teachers in public primary schools to tap from the opportunity to upgrade their skills and become versed in updated approach for impacting knowledge.

    She said the programme is expected to lead to better learning outcomes and a more robust, up-to-date approach to classroom management in public schools.

    Edo Best Programme is an initiative of Governor Obaseki administration, conceived to transform primary education in the state.

    According to Dr. Oviawe, “In the pilot phase, 300 schools will be selected to launch the initiative and the headmasters/headmistresses and teachers who would head or teach in these schools have to be trained in the use of computers and other gadgets to teach in the classroom. By the next academic year, all headmasters/headmistresses and teachers in the state will be required to go through this training.”

    She said at the end of the training, teachers and head teachers will each receive a computer tablet loaded with lesson notes.

    On how the teachers can enroll for the programme, she said, “Teachers are requested to forward their Names, positions (HM or Teacher), salary grade level, academic qualifications, the LGAs where they currently teach and their present school to Edo SUBEB.  Every volunteer must send their information.”

    She allayed fears that the programme is intended to test teachers, noting that further enquiries on the programme should be routed to SUBEB.

    Read Also: Fuel price: Edo monitors filling stations to ensure compliance

  • SUBEB denies taking bribe from applicants

    SUBEB denies taking bribe from applicants

    Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB) said yesterday that it did not collect bribes from applicants seeking teaching jobs.

    The Chairman, Dr. Stephen Odey, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar, reacted to reports in the social media that the board collected bribes.

    He said such reports were imaginations of the board’s enemies.

    Odey said rather than collect bribes, the board was determined to sanction any official who engaged in such act.

    He said: “Since I assumed office in 2016, we have never collected bribe from any applicant.

    “We sanction any worker who engages in such. CR-SUBEB under my watch has never collected bribe for recruitment of teachers or enrolment of pupils in schools.”

    The chairman said the board’s activities were open to the public and advised anyone interested to make clarifications from his office, instead of misinforming people.

    According to him, the board has conducted a written examination for applicants for the recruitment of 1,000 teachers, as approved by the government.

    He said the project at the British/Canadian International Model School, Obudu, was expected to be completed in May.

    “The governor has directed that the school be completed in May and we are working towards this.

    “Work at the site is going on at a very high speed. We are expecting that we will deliver in May,” Odey said.

  • Pupils’ enrolment up in North East after Boko Haram disruption

    Pupils’ enrolment up in North East after Boko Haram disruption

    States in the North East sub-region have intensified efforts to encourage enrolment of pupils into primary schools following the return of peace to the area.

    A survey indicates that the states have evolved programmes to encourage enrolment in schools, in addition to the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme of the Federal Government.

    Stakeholders in the area say the free feeding programme is playing key role in attracting pupils to remain in school.

    Alhaji Shettima Kullima, Chairman of Borno State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) said they had registered 247, 877 pupils in public schools for the 2018 academic year.

    He said that the figure comprised of 142,589 boys and 132, 288 girls enrolled in 623 primary schools spread across the state.

    He explained as a result of the insurgency experienced in the state about 1, 346 schools needed to be rehabilitated and equipped with class room furniture as well as instructional materials, to provide enabling environment for learning.

    Read also: Boko Haram completely defeated – Army

    Kullima said that the improved security situation had encouraged enrolment and retention in schools across the state.

    On school feeding programme, the chairman said the board had concluded arrangement for the commencement of the exercise in designated schools.

    Also commenting, Alhaji Bulama Abiso, the State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers ( NUT ), said the union had initiated a feeding programme targeting 1,000 displaced pupils to encourage them remain in school.

    He said that the union was spending about N1 million monthly on the feeding exercise in some selected schools in the state capital.

    In Gombe, the state government said it had begun preparations for the implementation of the Home-Grown School Feeding programme across the state.

    “We have passed various stages of preparation and as soon as we conclude, we will start, probably before the year runs out,” said Mrs Maryam Mele, Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo on Social Investment

    She expressed optimism that the programme would boost enrolment of pupils in primary schools, as well as improve the nutritional status of the children.

    Hajiya Zulaihatu Madugu, Director School Services, SUBEB, said there were 1, 378 pre-primary and primary schools in the state.

    She said the number of Kindergarten enrolment was 5,186 across the state, made up of 2,693 males and 2,493 females, while enrolment in primary schools stood at 625, 904, out of which 432,567 were males  and 193,337 females.

    Prof. Yahaya Yero, Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Universal Education Board ( SUBEB ) said the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme of the Federal Government had increased enrolment of pupils in the state.

    Yero said  in Bauchi that the provision of meals under the programme had increased enrolment by 36 per cent in the 2016/2017 academic session

    He said that the programme had also assisted in retention of pupils and wiped out absenteeism in schools, “as confirmed to him by Education Secretaries from various Local Government Councils.

    “They said that lots of new faces that were previously enrolled but hardly attended classes have become regular pupils.

    “We are happy that the enrolment drive has impacted on our parents because we recorded 36 percent increase in enrolment of pupils in schools.’’

    The SUBEB chairman added that the board had 4,364 schools, with total pupils enrolment figure of 1,079,105, while number of teachers stood at 25, 827.

    Mr Mansur Manusoro, Special Assistant to the state governor on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Social Investment Programmes, said N1.5 billion had been spent on the implementation of the Home-Grown Schools Feeding Programme in the State.

    According to him, the programme is in its third phase in the state.

    “‎Over 2,000 schools across the state are benefitting from the programme, involving 5,005 cooks feeding 501, 399 children,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Jigawa Government has commenced the implementation of the school feeding programme on January 31, 2018.

    Deputy Governor of the state, Ibrahim Hassan, said at the flag-off of the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme that it would enhance attendance and retention of pupils in primary schools.

    Investigation reveals that there are about 600,000 males to about 250,000 females in primary schools in the state.

    In Yobe, the Executive chairman of SUBEB, Alhaji Goni Ibrahim said there were 1,160 nursery and primary schools in the state, as well as 116 Junior Secondary schools.

    The chairman however said authentic enrolment figures were not available “because people displaced as a result of insurgency are still moving back to their communities.’’

    He however said the board, in collaboration with UNICEF, has engaged in massive sensitization to boost enrolment in primary schools.

    According to the chairman, the state is not captured in the current school feeding programme of the federal government, but expressed optimism that the state would be involved in the next phase.

    In Adamawa, Mr. Julius Kadala, Commissioner for Education said the state had a total primary school enrolment figure of 596, 000 pupils in 1,941 primary schools across the state with 24,000 registered teachers.

    He disclosed that the school feeding programme had not commenced in the state.

    NAN

  • Ayade okays N1.2b for basic education

    Ayade okays N1.2b for basic education

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has approved N1.2 billion counterpart fund to enable the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) access the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) grant for 2017.

    The Executive Chairman of the board, Dr. Stephen Odey, spoke yesterday with reporters in Calabar.

    He said the board was awaiting release of the fund.

    “The governor has given his approval for the release of our 2017 request for grant of N1.2 billion. So, we are waiting for due processes to be completed.

    “You are aware that for any state to access grant from UBEC, it has to first pay its counterpart fund. That is where we are now.”

    Odey said the board had utilised its N4 billion 2012 to 2016 grant by awarding contracts for 327 projects.

    Said he: “Some of the projects include provision of computers, renovation of schools, provision of sports equipment, supply of 85,000 textbooks/instructional materials and 65,000 plastic chairs and tables.

    “As I speak, most of our primary schools operate computers with solar systems, while sporting activities are being revived in schools.”

    Odey added that Ayade has approved the recruitment of additional 1,000 primary teachers.

    “The board has conducted written tests for applicants.

    “We have completed the process for teachers’ promotion because primary school teachers were last promoted in 2009.

    “But this has cost implications and we do not want to employ teachers and not pay them salary regularly. We don’t want to promote teachers without commensurate benefits.

    “We have made proposals to the governor on these, but because of the present financial situation, Ayade is taking his time on the matter, he said.

  • Kaduna SUBEB to spend N337.19m on teacher training in 2018

    Kaduna SUBEB to spend N337.19m on teacher training in 2018

    Amidst crisis over the quality of teachers in public schools, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) plans to spend N337.19 million on teacher training in 2018.

    The figure is contained in the state’s 2018 budget obtained from the state Planning and Budget Commission.

    The state has recently sacked about 22, 000 primary school teachers over poor performance, generating protest and strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers.

    It indicated that, “N337.19 million was earmarked for leadership and capacity training for school head teachers and assistants; jolly phonics training for 1,200 teachers and training of 200 Almajiri school teachers on literacy and numeracy skills.

    “Others are training on use of Teachers Guide; training of 230 care givers on pre-primary curriculum; training of class teachers on reading methodology and post training impact survey.

    Read also: Kwara SUBEB to upgrade 70-year old school

    “70 associate counsellors from the 23 local government areas will be trained on strategies for effective counselling skills in basic education; and training of 100 quality assurance evaluators.

    “Other training includes evaluators and principals workshop on evaluating and student learning; evaluating and tracking student; workshop on coordination, monitoring and reporting and impact assessment on training of inclusive education teachers on Braille and sign language.”

    The board has a total budget of N6.93 billion out of which N6.75 billion was for capital N184.52 million for recurrent expenditure.

    This represents 100 per cent increase from the N3.36 billion allocated to the board for capital and recurrent expenditure in the 2017 budget.

    A breakdown of the figure shows that N3.53 billion would be spent on the construction of classrooms, offices and toilets for primary schools, while N1.89 billion was for building classrooms and laboratories in junior secondary schools.

    The board would also spend N15.1 million on the construction of Early Child Care Development Education games village in nine primary schools in nine local government areas.

    It indicated that N821.27 million would go into procurement of furniture, materials for skills acquisition, teaching and learning aids, computers, magnetic boards, mattresses, sporting and instructional materials.

    “N143.58 million was allocated for monitoring and supervision of projects, while N13.06 million was for maintenance of project monitoring vehicles.”

    The state would receive the 2016 Universal Basic Education Commission ( UBEC ) Special Education Intervention fund amounting to N6.38 billion during the year.

    It would also receive N340.87 from UBEC Intervention on Teachers’ Professional Development and N32.72 million from the Inclusive Education Trust Fund.

    NAN

  • Kaduna to execute N33bn capital projects in 2018

    Kaduna to execute N33bn capital projects in 2018

    The Kaduna State Government plans to spend N33 billion on capital projects in the education sector in 2018.

    This figure is contained in the state’s 2018 budget obtained from state Planning and Budget Commission.

    The document indicated that the amount was however lower than the N44.8 billion budgeted for the sector in 2017.

    A breakdown of the figure shows that N20 billion would go to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and N13 billion to State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) and tertiary institutions.

    The ministry is expected to spend N6.3 billion on school feeding programme in public primary schools, Islamiyya, and Quranic schools, as well as the 31 boarding secondary schools in the state.

    The N6.3 billion was less than the N14.7 billion allocated to the programme in 2017.

    According to the document, primary and secondary school rebuilding and equipping programme would gulp N5 billion, while the Global Partnership for Education was allocated N1.9 billion as against N2 billion in 2017.

    The document indicated also that the education ministry in partnership with Islamic Development Bank (IDB) would spend N761.7 million on the construction of six science secondary schools in the state.

    Also in the document, N1 billion would be spent on supply of furniture in secondary schools across the state and N511 million on the provision of school uniforms.

    Read also: Teachers’ strike will not stop education reform – Kaduna Govt.

    “N377 million was earmarked for teacher development programme, a joint project with United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).

    “Procurement of science equipment will cost N177.8 million, N400 million for procurement of books, and N2.3 billion for fencing of government-owned facilities.

    “N138 million was allocated for the construction of computer laboratories and supply of 20 desktop computers each to 50 secondary schools.

    “N50.2 million was set aside for development of three Computer Based Test centres, one each in the three senatorial districts,’’ the document added.

    According to the document, N50 million will be spent on the supply and installation of LGP tanks, burners, and industrial boiling pans in 29 boarding secondary schools.

    It also indicated that N14 million was allocated for the construction and equipping of a multipurpose workshop at the headquarters of the education ministry.

    “N65.5 million was allocated for development of web portal for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services and multi media/video conference centre.

    “Development of scientific glass technology got N2.5 million; while technology-based school management solution services got N120 million.’’

    For tertiary institutions, the budget provided N2.1 billion to Kaduna  State University (KASU); N1.5 billion to College of Education, Gidan Waya; N670 million to Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria and N110 million to College of Midwifery, Kaduna.

    Other capital allocations include N113 million to Shehu Idris College of Health and Science Technology and N182 million to the State College of Nursing and Midwifery.

    NAN

  • Edo to prosecute parents for denying children access to education

    Edo to prosecute parents for denying children access to education

    The Edo State Government has said it will arrest and prosecute parents and guardians, who violate the Child Rights Law, especially those who deny their children and wards access to education.

    Acting Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, disclosed this during an inspection tour of schools in Benin metropolis on the first day of the academic session.

    Edo State in 2007 domesticated the Child Rights Act and Governor Godwin Obaseki, in 2017, inaugurated the Family Court to try cases pertaining to violation of the Child Rights Law.

    Dr. Oviawe said, “The government will continue to promote a knowledge-based economy to drive economic growth and development. This cannot be achieved without solid basic education.”

    She frowned at the low turnout of pupils in the schools visited, stressing that the practice where pupils fail to resume on the first week of resumption is not the best.

    Dr. Oviawe noted, “The state government will soon clampdown on parents or guardians who prevent their wards from attending schools but prefer that they be engaged as house assistants or hawkers.”

    She assured that the state will continue to provide facilities to give children quality education, adding, “pupils must be in school to enjoy facilities provided by government. Lack of infrastructure is the least challenge in schools in Edo State. The main challenge for us is that of truancy in the first week of resumption.

    Dr. Oviawe said SUBEB will work with education secretaries to train headmasters/mistresses on effective school management and community engagement.

    She warned that the state government will not tolerate lateness and absenteeism among teachers and headmasters/mistresses, adding that “Existing laws and rules will be appropriately applied to sanction those found wanting.”

    At Emokpae Primary School, the headmistress, Mrs. Grace Idubor complained that pupils resume late because they are engaged as salespersons in stores along Mission Road.

    After inspecting stores at Mission Road to ascertain the veracity of the claim, Oviawe condemned the act and encouraged parents to allow their wards attend school, noting that classes have commenced.

    Other schools visited include Ivbiotor Primary School, Asologun Primary School, Etete Primary School, Emokpae Primary School, Olua Primary School, Aghahowa Primary School and Iheya Primary School.

  • Shettima presents N170bn budget for 2018

    Shettima presents N170bn budget for 2018

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Thursday presented N170.2 billion Appropriation Bill for 2018 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly.

    ‎Shettima said the bill tagged: “Budget of Resettlement and Empowerment”, was less than that of 2017 by N13. 560 billion or 7.38 per cent.

    He explained that the capital expenditure was allocated N108,408,580 billion while recurrent vote got N61,870,934 billion.

    ‎Shettima disclosed that the budget would be financed from projected Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR ) of N16,075,548 billion; allocation from the Federation Account of N115,734,194 billion, and Capital Receipt of N38,469,772 billion.

    Major highlights of the budget showed that education got the highest allocation of N27 billion.

    Breaking down the budget portfolio, Shettima said that N12.6 billion was set aside for infrastructure development and management of secondary school education, and N10.3 billion for tertiary education, while N4.4 billion for the State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) programmes.

    Read also: 1.6m Borno IDPs benefit from UNFPA in 12 months

    The governor revealed that N22.6 billion was earmarked for construction of major roads, drainage and transport services through the State Ministry of Works and Transport.

    “N17.7 billion for healthcare infrastructure, consumables‎ and other related needs, and N9.8 billion for completion of reconstruction work of destroyed communities, rehabilitation and resettlement of victims of insurgency while N8 billion was set aside for agricultural sector,” he said.

    The governor recalled that his administration had made deliberate efforts to reconstruct and rehabilitate public structures and residential homes in the liberated communities.

    “I am happy to announce that most of the schools, health centres and residential houses in some of the local governments destroyed during the insurgency, have been reconstructed and services fully restored,” he said.

    Shettima listed Konduga, Damasak, Dikwa, Askira/Uba, Kaga and Mafa, as some of the benefiting local government areas.

    He added that the state government had returned the displaced persons to their ancestral homes in the affected areas.

    The governor said the government had also trained youths and women on various trades to build resilience and provide means of livelihood to the returnees.

    “Also, Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ) in Damboa, Ngala and Monguno have been safely returned to their homes, to ensure that the displaced persons engaged in productive economic activities.

    “The state government trained youths and women in skills acquisition, provided them with entrepreneurship kits and farm inputs while building materials were also distributed to some of the IDPs to enable them to rebuild their homes within the period under review,” he said.

    According to him, the state government had achieved significant feat in areas of school development, roads, hospitals, agriculture and housing development projects as well as humanitarian services.

    NAN

  • SUBEB distributes N200m materials

    The Osun State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB) has distributed instructional materials worth N200 million and some sport equipments to Elementary and Middle schools in the state.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Governor, Otunba Grace Titilayo-Laoye Tomori said in spite of the economic challenges, the state governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola remains  committed to the provision of basic amenities in the public schools in the state.

    The Deputy Governor lauded the teachers in the state for the dedication to their duties and assured them that the state government would not relent in its determination to ensure provision of quality education in the state.

    Computers and their Accessories were also distributed to the schools while motorcycles were also given to school inspectors for school monitoring. Science equipments and various publications including teachers’ manual and teachers’ lesson notes were also distributed to schools.

    The Executive Chairman of SUBEB in the state, Chief Felix Awofisayo in his remarks said the instructional materials were procured to facilitate smooth teaching and learning processes in the schools and to also smoothen the supervisory role of Heads of the Schools.

    He appealed to the teachers in the state to make good use of the materials so as to justify the investment of the state government on them. “I wish to appeal to our teachers and our students to reciprocate this gesture of Governor Rauf Aregbesola by supporting and cooperating with the Government through hard work and good behaviour,” Awofisayo said.

  • Alleged fraud: Ex-SUBEB boss, four others granted bail

    Alleged fraud: Ex-SUBEB boss, four others granted bail

    An Edo State High Court on Friday granted bail to a former Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prince Steve Alao and the Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Dr. Aisosa Amadasun.

    Three other former members of the Board were also granted bail by the court.

    The accused persons were remanded in prison after they were arraigned on 50-count charge of corruptly enriching themselves to the tune of N1.5billion.

    They were accused of corruptly enriching themselves with money from the bulk sale of their own share of SUBEB contracts between 2013 and 2016, an offense punishable under Section26 (1) and other relevant Sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Act of 2000.

    Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N1 million each and a surety who must be gainfully employed and resident in Benin City.