By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
The State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, has called on traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Delta State to partner with the state government in its efforts to restore confidence in public primary schools in the state.
The Chairman SUBEB, Delta State, Hon Samuel Mariere made the call in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North local government council, in continuation of his meeting with stakeholders in primary education across the state.
Hon Mariere at the meeting which had in attendance royal fathers, community leaders, heads of teachers of schools and members of School Management Base Committee, SBMC, in the locality, stressed the need for all to support the MORE administration of Governor Oborevwori to return the past glories in public schools.
He noted that the Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is working assiduously to ensuring that enrollment in public primary schools increased in the next academic session by September this year.
The SUBEB Boss expressed happiness of recorded improvement in teaching and leaning in public primary schools, while calling on Teachers to provide quality development of the pupils in their various schools.
Hon Mariere said Oborevwori has been very prudent with the state resources since he assumed duty as the Governor of Delta State, pointing out that he has not borrowed money despite all he had achieved in the state in the last 13 months.
He appealed to all stakeholders to see how the glorious old days can be restored to primary schools education in the state as it is the foundation for preparing the children for better future.
Saying that in the time past morals and disciplines were the standards, the two term member of the State House of Assembly and former Commissioner for Water Resources Development, added that the state government is desirous to do its best for the future of the children.
Mariere said the Royal Fathers and School Management Based Committee should support government to protect it huge investment in education facilities in their domains.
Emphasizing that government cannot do it alone due to scarce resources, the Subeb Chairman, disclosed that the state government commits One point Nine billion naira every month on primary school teachers salaries in the state.
Mariere recalled that he once built a public school years back and paid its teachers for three years with his personal resources before government took over the school, stressing that well spirited deltans can do same in their communities as a way of giving back to society.
The SUBEB Boss informed stakeholders that the state government is determined to clear all pension arrears and ensure that retiring employees get their benefits as soon as they retire.
He called on heads of teachers to embrace the meaningful reforms going on in the public primary schools aimed at repositioning the education in the state.
Mariere noted that no teacher must remain in a particular school for more than four years, and directed that those who have served in rural schools for more than four years should be transfer to the urban schools.
He assured the various interest groups in the teaching profession that government will look into their demands for improved welfare, pointing out that government has done a lot in the recruitment of teaching and non teaching staff.
Mariere disclosed that SUBEB would soon send agriculture materials and funds for schools to setup farms as part of efforts towards food security.
Head of Personnel Management, HPM, Ughelli North local government council, Mr Timothy Ade, welcomed the vision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to bring public primary schools education to standard, adding that present day leaders were products of public schools.
The Education Secretary, Ughelli North Local Government Education Authority, Chief Pius Omubaye, commended Rt Hon Oborevwori for the appointment of Hon Samuel Mariere has SUBEB Chairman, saying that the appointment is yielding the desired results in repositioning public primary schools in the state.
In their goodwill messages, Ughelli North chapter of NUT, AOPSHON and NASU, commended the state government for the recruitment of teaching and non teaching staff, even as they appealed to government to look into the welfare of staff.
They promised to partner with government to restore the glorious days of public primary schools in the state.
Chairman of the Ughelli North Traditional Council, and Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, HRM ,Evang Wilson Ojakovo Oharisi iii, commended the state government for partnering with traditional institution to build solid education foundation for the children.
Other Royal Fathers present were HRM Kumane Eruvwedede the third JP, the Ovie of Evwreni Kingdom, HRM Richard Oghenevwdgaea Ebelle the first JP, the Ovie of Agbaraha-Otor Kingdom and HRM Simpson Obrutche the second JP, Orion R’ Ode of Uwheru Kingdom.
High point of the occasion was a novelty football match played in honour of the Subeb Chairman, Hon Samuel Mariere at the Oharis Model Primary school, Ughelli.
Hon Samuel Mariere took the kick off of the football match which was between Oharisi model primary school and Eserophe primary school.
At the end of the match, Oharisi Model Primary School won by a lone goal to lift the cup.
The cups for both the winner and the runners up was presented by Hon Samuel Mariere, who commended the organizer of the event for their efforts and for making the pupils to engaged in sport activities.