Anambra State Government through the State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, has handed over instructional materials, monitoring vehicles, and other educational support equipment to Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in the state.
The materials were procured under the Universal Basic Education, UBE initiative, where Governor Chukwuma Soludo, paid the state counterpart fund of over N3 billion, to match the Federal Government’s contribution for the materials.
Among the items distributed to the schools at the event which took place at the ASUBEB headquarters in Awka, were Galaxy tablets to be used by Quality Assurance evaluators for e-quality assurance, UPS stabilizers, English, Mathematics, and Core Subject Textbooks.
Others include 1104 units of Magnetic Board, 1104 units of ECCD toys, 12,000 units of JSS plastic chairs and tables, 966 units of iron frame teachers chairs and tables, and 6 shuttle buses for supervision.
Inaugurating the equipment before they were handed over, the State Head of Service, Barr. Theodora Igwegbe, who represented Governor Chukwuma Soludo, said Anambra people have a governor, who is matching his words with action towards addressing the challenges of the state education sector.
According to her, the governor’s numerous investments in the sector show that he is genuinely committed to using education not just to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, but also to launch Anambra into global recognition.
“There is no doubt today that there is significant improvement in all spheres of education in Anambra.
“Few days ago, we saw the governor distribute laptops to teachers to drive his digitization efforts. If the governor is not interested in education, there is no way he would have prioritized the sector,” she said.
The Head of Service urged teachers in the state not to be caught unawares by the digital revolution in the sector, advising them to start ahead to move from analog to the digital phase.
“You don’t have to wait for government but you can develop yourself so as to keep pace with the revolution the government is bringing.
“Don’t be left behind, develop yourselves,” she told the teachers.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Executive Chairman of the ASUBEB, Associate Prof. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi recalled how Governor Soludo had to clear the UBEC counterpart contribution backlog, owed by the state for three years- 2019, 2020. and 2021, for the distribution to be possible.
She noted that the governor is not just making investments in the education sector, but also strengthening monitoring and supervision, to ensure that his policies on quality assurance are fully implemented.
“We commend Mr. Governor for clearing the backlog of UBEC funds which were not paid for3 years, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
“Immediately we were inaugurated, we kept on reminding the governor of the backlog of counterpart funds for three years, which helps in renovation of school structures and providing educational materials for the schools. And he obliged us, because he believes in education,” she posited.
Describing the governor as a true lover of education, Nwadinobi said in the past 24 months that Soludo has been in office, a lot has happened that has changed the narratives of the education sector in the state.
“The governor has improved teaching and learning environment in public schools and public-mission schools in Anambra state through the recruitment of 5,000 teachers, introduction of zero payment of any kind of levies for all primary schools and JSS classes.
“Recall that the Governor increased the running cost of Headteachers to N50,000.
He has also ensured prompt payment of teachers’ salaries and approval of teachers’ promotion.
“Also, while he made interventions in the public schools, he did not abandon the mission schools and gives 2 million naira to all of them
“So, in just two years, the governor is fulfilling his promise for the growth and advancement of the state education sector and the people are happy.
“Today, there is 30 percent increase in enrollment in our schools, due to the declaration of zero levies,” she said.
The ASUBEB boss urged the headteachers and principals to make effective use of the materials they received to improve the quality of teaching and learning in their schools.
High points were the official commissioning of the shuttle buses and the formal handover of the materials and equipment to the schools.
Welcome song by the pupils of Udoka Primary School, Awka as well as cultural dance performances by the pupils of Central School, Awka, and Students of Girls Secondary School, Amaenyi Awka added glamour to the event.
