The Benue State Government has commenced the distribution of teaching and learning materials donated by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to public basic education schools across the state.
The distribution was officially flagged off at the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) headquarters in Makurdi by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, who represented Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Speaking at the event, Ode described basic education as the foundation of human development and a vital driver of sustainable growth within the education sector. He emphasised that the availability of adequate instructional materials is essential to achieving quality learning outcomes.
“Basic education remains the bedrock of child development and the foundation upon which all other levels of education are built. The provision of adequate teaching and learning materials is non-negotiable if we must achieve quality education outcomes,” he said.
The Deputy Governor noted that the distribution of the materials reflects Governor Alia’s commitment to improving the quality of basic education in the state. He added that the state government has complemented UBEC’s support by providing additional resources, including dusters, markers and whiteboards.
Ode further highlighted the administration’s efforts to reposition the education sector through the consistent payment of counterpart funding, construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, recruitment of more than 9,000 teachers, provision of teaching aids, and strengthened collaboration with UBEC and development partners.
He, however, warned education secretaries against diverting the materials, stressing that they must be delivered strictly to the public schools they were meant for. He cautioned that any diversion would attract appropriate sanctions.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Hajiya Aisha Garba, represented by the Commission’s North Central Director, Elder Edward Abalaka, commended the Benue State Government for maintaining a strong partnership with the Commission.
She noted that the absence of essential teaching and learning materials could undermine effective education delivery. Garba also praised the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, for improving the operational efficiency of the Board.
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