The Executive Chairman, Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, received the UNICEF Chief of Enugu Field Office, Dr. Shamina Sharmin, and her team at the Board Headquarters in Makurdi and hinted at plans to collaborate with the Fund on information management system.
Welcoming the delegation, Dr. Adagba highlighted UNICEF’s invaluable contributions to education and child development in the state
The Benue SUBEB chairman, according to a statement by the information officer, Emmanuella Akese, announced the introduction of a centralized Examination System in all basic schools in the state, for enhanced learning.
She also mentioned the Board’s ongoing review of its 2025 Action Plan, aimed at incorporating craft into the curriculum to equip learners with sustainable, profit-driven skills.
The Executive Chairman lauded the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, for his unwavering commitment to basic education, and thanked UNICEF for its support in training teachers, as well as the provision of iPads, routers, and power banks among others to basic schools to enhance teaching and learning in schools.
Dr. Adagba expressed the Board’s anticipation of further collaboration with UNICEF on the Teacher Management Information System (TMIS) and the provision of Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) play materials.
In her address, Dr. Sharmin commended Dr. Adagba’s transformative leadership at SUBEB and the Governor’s strides in improving basic education. She stressed the global focus on Early Childhood Development (ECD) as the foundation of learning and development and lauded the Board’s introduction of Nursery Sections in all Public Primary Schools.
She further mentioned the introduction of a new teaching Methodology called “Teaching at the Right Level” (TaRL), noting Benue as one of three states in Nigeria pioneering the Programme with 30 Master Trainers.
Dr. Sharmin called for continued collaboration of relevant agencies to enhance basic education delivery.
Also speaking, UNICEF Education Specialist, Dr Agatha Nzeribe, applauded Dr. Adagba’s dedication to child development.
She noted UNICEF’s recent training of 450 parents in child protection, birth registration, school health, immunization, and early development.
Dr. Nzeribe emphasized the importance of collaboration between the State Ministry of Education and SUBEB to generate comprehensive data for future interventions.
The visit also included a tour of the SUBEB Digital Resource Centre, showcasing the Board’s readiness to implement UNICEF innovations like the Teacher Management Information System (TMIS), the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) and other interventions.
Other UNICEF Team members on the Board include Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, UNICEF Health Specialist; and Dr. Ngulum Emmanuel, UNICEF Desk Officer, Ministry of Education.
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