Head Teachers in the Delta State Public Primary Schools have been charged to help drive the reform agenda of the state government aimed at reposition the basic educational system in the state.
Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB Hon (Barr) Samuel Mariere gave the charge while addressing primary education stakeholders in Ika South and Ika Northeast Local Government Areas, in continuation of the Board tour of the 25 LGAs of the state.
Hon Mariere stated that education is beyond the provision of infrastructure, including classroom blocks, but intellectual development capacity of the pupils.
The SUBEB Boss explained that inculcating morals and discipline is key to building the pupils to becoming great leaders of tomorrow, even as he urged the Heads Teachers to help manage the schools as if they are managing their private enterprise. Mariere disclosed that there would be massive transfers of Teachers across the state in the next few weeks as part of government reforms in the system.
While appealing to those that would be affected not to resist transfer no matter how connected they are, the two term member of the Delta State Assembly, said His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori had directed the Board to bring innovation to the school system.
He said it was resolved that teachers would not be allowed to remain in a location for more than four year and stressed the need for the understanding and cooperation of stakeholders, especially those in positions of authority.
Hon Mariere called on all to be part of the people building long lasting legacies in the public primary schools in the state.
He appealed to the Heads of Personnel Management of Ika Northeast and Ika South to support schools in their domain to engaging local securities to protect public infrastructures from vandals.
Mariere called on Leaders of thought, market women, youth, vigilante groups and others to be part of the Schools Based Management Committee, SBMC, initiative and to work closely with the Head Teachers to owned and protect public primary schools in their locality.
Heads of Personnel Management of Ika Northeast and Ika south local government councils, Mrs Iroro Ebita and Mrs Patricia Mmakwa, assured Subeb of necessary supports from the grassroots administration that would promote reforms policy of the MORE Agenda at foundation level of education.
Education Secretaries of Ika Northeast and Ika South, Mr Chris Ekamagwuhe and Ezinna Onwugbenu, thanked the state government for the recent recruitment of teaching and non teaching staff, even as they promised to implement government vision to transforming public primary schools in the state to better standards.
The unions in the primary school education and other stakeholders who spoke, welcomed state government strides in the sector, and appealed for enhanced welfare packages for the workers.
They commended Hon Mariere for the stakeholders engagement and commitment to standard from the basic foundation of child upbringing.
The SUBEB Chairman and his team were at the palaces of the Obi of Owa kingdom at Owa-Oyibo in Ika Northeast and Dein of Agbor in Ika South, where he acknowledged the support and contributions of the Royal Fathers in the ongoing reforms to returning the glorious days in public primary schools.
The Obi of Owa, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor and the Dein of Agbor, Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi 1, pledged to support the government reforms in public primary schools in their kingdom.
The royal fathers called on government to reintroduce Civil Education to school curriculum, adding that the development will bring back morals to the society.