By The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has officially flagged off the 2024 FGN-UBEC/SUBEB intervention programme in Ibadan, announcing that the distribution of instructional materials to public basic schools has received a major boost.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday, February 28, after OYOSUBEB marked the commencement of the distribution of educational materials to public primary and junior secondary schools across the state at the ceremony held at the OYOSUBEB car park, Agodi, Ibadan on Friday, February 27.
Speaking at the event, the OYOSUBEB Chairman, Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said the intervention covers the distribution of “thousands of core subject textbooks and learning materials, including 19,289 copies each of Primary Mathematics Books 1, 2 and 3; 15,515 copies of Primary English Books 1–3; and 15,111 copies each of Nursery English Books 1, 2 and 3.”
“Also distributed were 6,673 copies each of Nursery Mathematics Books 1, 2 and 3; 2,500 copies each of Science and Technology Books 1–3; 40,000 six-year Continuous Assessment Cards (produced by Oyo SUBEB); 6,675 school bags; 6,675 pairs of sandals; 6,675 exercise books; 6,675 pencils; and 6,000 pairs of BESDA sandals.”
He stated that the materials are to be effectively utilised to improve overall measurable education quality.
“These materials are not for storage but for active classroom use. Their impact will be measured by improved academic performance and better learning outcomes,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, who was represented by the Zonal Director, Mrs Beatrice Okei, said the exercise indicates government’s commitment to the “reinforcement of hope and a renewed commitment to quality, inclusive and equitable basic education for every Nigerian child.”
According to her, UBEC’s statutory mandate includes coordinating the implementation of the Universal Basic Education programme nationwide, disbursing intervention funds to states and the FCT, setting and monitoring minimum standards, and promoting access, equity, quality, transparency and accountability.
She further disclosed that UBEC is distributing 15 million school bags, sandals and writing materials across the country to ease the financial burden on vulnerable families and encourage school enrolment and retention among out-of-school children.
In her remarks, SUBEB Executive Board member, Dr Olukemi Adeosun, described the distribution as a significant step towards repositioning basic education in the state, noting that access to relevant textbooks enables learners to prepare ahead of lessons and eases the burden on teachers.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Raji Oladimeji, commended the Oyo State Government and the SUBEB leadership for sustained improvements in the education sector.
