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…Commends the government on counterpart funding and intervention projects in the state.
The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Akwa Ibom State today briefed the AKHA committee on Education headed by Obong Godwin Ekpo, Member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency on the activities and challenges of the board since its inception of office.
The House committee on Education extended the invitation to the Board for an interactive session sighting the standing order of the House on its oversight functions to seek ways of improving the basic educational standard in the State.
The Chairman of SUBEB Prof Mariah Ikrok who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Elder Ezekiel Umoh, Board Members, Directors of PRS and Finance acknowledged the contribution of the state government’s counterpart funding and the Federal Government’s intervention on projects impacting on the education sector which indicatively ranked the state among the best in the country.
She epitomizes teacher’s training, provision of educational materials through matching grant intervention projects to about 1164 primary schools in the state, recruitment of 3000 teachers and posting them successfully to their stations as part of the Board’s achievements but however rue that the number is grossly inadequate due to the number of schools in the state.
Prof Mariah reiterated that though the government is doing a lot through Inter Ministerial Direct Labour Projects, many of our children still sit on the floor to learn, where mats are provided, there are not enough, “we therefore call on the government and well meaning citizens of the state to assist in this regard”, She pleaded.
As it stands, we are experiencing lots of challenges in the sector, which includes, vandalism, theft, insecurity, community encroachment on school land, abuse of school facilities, misuse of school desks, incessant use of school premises for ceremonies and some parents refusal to provide learning materials to their children and wards.
Members of the Committee raised the issue of inadequate teachers, lack of teachers accommodation, ineffective school monitoring system, uncompleted/abandoned projects and inappropriate community relations as a bane of the sector.
The Chairman of the Committee admonished the Board on schools monitoring and supervision, budget implementation and due process, fair distribution of intervention projects across the three senatorial districts and fiscal discipline of the Board.
Members present were;
Hon Udeme Ottong, Abak
Hon Uduak Ududoh- Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo
Hon Aniekan Uko – Ibesikpo/Asutan
Hon KufreAbasi Edidem- Itu
Hon Usoro AkpanUsoh- Esit Eket Ibeno
Hon Dr Charity Ido- Ukanafun
Hon Anietie Eka- Uyo
Hon David Lawrence -Eket
Hon Victor Ekwere -Mkpat Enin
