ASUBEB: Quality Education for Every Child

Education for all is regarded as a critical development goal of the United Nations as contained in the SDGs No. 4. This goal also occupies a critical development component of the present administration in Anambra State led by Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR. Mr. Governor’s desire for every child of school age to be in school is being implemented with unprecedented dividends. With the appointment of Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi, a seasoned educationist, to head the State basic education sector, Anambra State basic education has witnessed a massive turnaround with a litany of success stories.

Mr. Governor’s resolve to address the shortfall in both manpower and materials needed to provide functional and standard basic education can be seen as not just a political wish but a clear testament of words promptly backed by actions.

The first audacious step taken by Mr. Governor was to address the problem of schools without teachers, where he recruited a total of 8,115 teachers who were posted to both public and mission returned schools. This was quickly followed by a capacity building training on digital literacy for the newly recruited teachers, as sponsored by Mr. Governor.

Next was the free education and zero levies policy from Early Childhood Care Development Education, ECCDE to Senior Secondary Schools. The Governor ensured that this policy was implemented to the letter by approving N1,500 per primary School pupil and N2,000 per Secondary School Student. The free education policy has resulted to a huge reduction of ‘out-of-school’ children in Anambra State. (UPSOT- Nwadinobi)

Also, the State basic schools system has moved from analogue era to full digitalisation era and this move was enhanced by the distribution of 2,000 laptops to School Heads and ICT Teachers. Also, the digital tablet phones supplied through BESDA funds were given to the ICT teachers. Today, every primary school in Anambra State has an ICT teacher who is trained on how to track attendance and handling of result portal and website issues. The learners now access their termly results online. (-UPSOT- ICT TEACHER ON digital system)

The smooth take-off of UBEC Model Smart School, Isiagu as facilitated by Mr. Governor has made smart education accessible to the children of the poor across the State and beyond, with the boarding facilities and teachers’ quarters in the school. Happily, the 22 ongoing Model Smart Secondary Schools by the State Government will accommodate Junior Secondary School students on graduation.

What appears to be more heartwarming was the payment of 3 years Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC counterpart funding by Governor Soludo for 2019, 2020, and 2021. This fund has brought massive structural improvements in the basic schools across the State. The structures include: 30 blocks of classrooms, 43 blocks of toilets, 22 boreholes, 15 perimeter fences, 2 staff quarters, and 1 hostel. Also, 68 primary and 49 Junior Secondary Schools were mobilised for renovations among others. (UPSOT HM
+ PRINCIPAL)

In the area of school furniture, the pupils have moved from learning on bare floors to decent sets of chairs and tables. Consequently, 12,055 sets were provided for primary pupils, 648 sets for ECCDE, and 3,682 sets for Junior Secondary School classes. (UPSOT= PUPILS)

To achieve a balanced education and foster physical, social, and intellectual development of the learners, school sports has been rekindled to catch the talented pupils young. Various indoor and outdoor sports equipment were distributed to schools to improve sporting activities. A beautiful result of that initiative is that Anambra pupils participated in the National Basic Education Sports, BESS 2024, and came back with 4 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze Medals.

Meanwhile, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB under Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi has broken the jinx of outdated curriculum with the launching of the Anambra State Unified Teaching Modules to make content delivery easier for all primary school teachers. Anambra State, through the support of the State Governor, has introduced the Montessori Method of education in the public primary schools, making her the first in Nigeria to do so among the 36 States and Abuja. (UPSOT- EZEPUE)

In the area of school monitoring and supervision, routine monitoring and supervision are promptly and meticulously conducted by ASUBEB officials, with encouraging results being recorded. This exercise was enhanced by the provision of 6 shuttle buses facilitated by the FGN-UBEC and Anambra State Government.

Mr. Governor’s passion for human capital development spurred ASUBEB to organise

To improve literacy and numeracy for learners in the public schools, workshops for English Language and Mathematics Teachers and Desk Officers were trained on current methods of making the two subjects more interesting for learners. The hosting of an annual science workshop for science teachers to expose them to the latest ideas in science education has also helped to promote the Governor’s vision of ‘everything technology and technology everywhere’.

The school libraries have been revived and digital libraries have been introduced for the Head teachers to assist learners to download desired books and resources. (UPSOT – H/M +PRINCIPAL)

Capacity building and staff welfare are priorities in ASUBEB. In line with the Governor’s passion for human capital development, the teaching and non- teaching staff are exposed to numerous trainings and workshops; 13th month Allowance has been reintroduced; celebration of Carol of Nine Lessons, repainting of staff offices; introduction of tree planting for a greener and healthier environment; and the installation of solar power, courtesy of Better Education Service for All, BESDA are testaments of the optimum value placed on staff welfare. (UPSOT – ASUBEB STAFF+ BESDA desk officer)

Just recently, educational resources worth millions of Naira were flagged-off for distribution to schools in the State to enhance literacy, numeracy and digital skills. The items include: core textbooks for Primary and Junior Secondary Schools, Tablet phones, Novels, Magnetic Boards, diaries and registers, index boxes suggestion boxes, Governor’s exercise books, ECCE Toys, sports equivalent (UPSOT – DR NONYE SOLUDO, Nwadinobi, UBEC, Commy, PPSSC, )

Anambra State is, no doubt, setting the pace in quality basic education for her children, all thanks to our hardworking Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR. The Solution administration has set the State on the path of progress. Our children are the direct beneficiaries of all his investments in education and the future promises to be very bright for all!

SOLUTION IS INDEED HERE!!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!