SUBEB begins training of 75 SMOs in Zamfara

The Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB) has flagged off the training of 75 State and Local Government Education Authority Social Mobilisation Officers (SMOs) on the utilisation of School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) operational documents.

The training, held at the ZSUBEB Headquarters, Gusau, on Monday, was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the officers to engage communities and stakeholders on improving retention and the quality of basic education in the state.

At the formal flag-off, the Executive Chairman, ZSUBEB, Prof Nasir Garba Anka, represented by the Permanent Member I, Madawaki Alhaji Dahiru Shehu, said social mobilisation remains critical to the success of government interventions in the education sector.

“Social Mobilisation Officers are an important link between government, schools, parents, communities, traditional and religious institutions, as well as civil society organisations and other stakeholders.”

Madawaki explained that the responsibilities of Social Mobilisation Officers go beyond information dissemination.

“They are expected to build trust, create awareness, encourage community participation, identify barriers to education and promote ownership of educational programmes.”

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He emphasised that sustainable progress in basic education cannot be achieved by government alone, but requires the active participation of parents, communities, traditional and religious leaders, teachers, SBMCs and development partners.

In a goodwill message, the State Coordinator of UBEC, Zamfara State Office, Malam Tanimu Abdulkadir, who spoke on behalf of the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, and the management of the Commission, commended ZSUBEB for organising the training.

Malam Abdulkadir cited the recent Enrolment Drive Campaign at JNI Primary School, Gusau, where 87 out-of-school children were enrolled, as an example of what effective community mobilisation can achieve.

He further disclosed that UBEC has made SBMC functionality an important indicator in its school monitoring exercise.

Representatives of the Teachers Service Board, Senior Secondary Education Board and Ministry of Education, Science and Technology also pledged their continued support and collaboration.

In his remarks, the Director of Social Mobilisation, ZSUBEB, Alhaji Sani Usman Gummi, thanked the participating institutions, development partners, facilitators, organisers and other stakeholders for their contributions.