By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Executive Chairman, Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Hon Samuel Mariere, has restated government’s commitment for improved standards in public primary schools in the state.
Speaking at a strategic meeting with public primary education stakeholders in Oshimili South local government area, Hon Mariere said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s reform agenda in the education sector must be implemented to the latter.
Saying that the reform is to restore the glorious days of public educational institutions in the state, the Subeb Boss decried the low interest of parents in registering their children and wards in public schools.
Accompanied by 1st, 2nd and 3rd member of the board, Hon Mariere said government will not play politics with education as it remains the bedrock of any society that wants to prosper.
Addressing stakeholders under the Local Government Education Authority in Oshimili South, the Subeb Chairman expressed disappointment that Delta State was ranked number ten with low enrollment of pupils in public primary schools in Nigeria.
Hon Mariere said such rating in the national statistics was unacceptable and expressed optimism that the administration of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori would enhance performance that will change the narratives.
He charged Head Teachers, Community Leaders, members of the School Based Management Committee, and Traditional Rulers to join forces with the board in marketing the many benefits in public primary schools.
Mariere said massive campaign for increase enrollment in public primary schools in the next academic session in September is presently on going and requires the support of all.
He explained that state government‘s approval and readiness to provide one million, five hundred thousand copies of exercise books to be distributed free to pupils in public primary schools, is to encourage parents to send their wards to public schools.
Hon Mariere disclosed that in 2024 SUBEB budget, a good amount was provided for school furnitures, even as he appealed to Head Teachers to shun extortion from pupils, warning that any one caught in the act would be dismissed from service.
Responding to report from the Education Secretary in Oshimili South, Mrs Apollonia Oputa-Otutu, that a block of three class rooms at Amukom Primary School One in Oko Amukom, is on the verge of collapse, the Subeb Boss ordered that the building be avoided to avert disaster.
He said the board would send Engineers to inspect the building and come up with recommendations.
On the issue of land encroachment at Oneh Primary School Two and Okwe Primary School, Okwe, both in Oshimili South, Hon Mariere promised to look into it with a view of resolving the matter.
The SUBEB Chairman and his team had earlier paid a visit to the Oshimili South local government Council, where he urged the authorities to be actively involved in the renewed approach by the Oborevwori led administration to revamp the public primary schools in the state.
Vice Chairman of Oshimili South, Mrs Chinwe Obo-Uso, assured SUBEB of collaboration to funding education development in the locality.
At the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba, the Regent, Chief Lewis Edozien, said good education has been a tradition to the people of Asaba date back pre colonial era, adding that the kingdom would support government reforms in the sector.
Mariere commended all for their commitment to reposition the public primary school education in the state.