Infrastructure: SUBEB Have Good Stories To Tell In Edo – Salami
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mrs. Ozevize Salami said in the last two years, the board has embarked on several projects across the 18 local government area of the state in primary and secondary schools to improve on their infrastructure.
During a press briefing held at the JOOPSA, Benin City, the State capital, Mrs. Salami opined that the projects which are ongoing, include the construction and renovation of classrooms, perimeter fencing and toilets, among others.
“228 schools under the Edo Basic Education Transformation System (EdoBEST), have 346,757 pupils, with 15,125 digitally trained teachers. This is a testimony that governance across SUBEB and the schools has drastically improved.”
She noted that between October 2021 and July 2023, under EdoBEST2.0, this administration distributed over 11,635 digital work tools comprising smartphones, teacher tablets, Samsung tablets and power banks to various stakeholders in the basic education ecosystem. More than 1.5million textbooks, homework books, over 7.5 million exam materials and not less than 1.6 million result sheets were distributed to facilitate teaching, learning and assessment.
“Since its inception, over 600,000 children have benefitted from EdoBEST. Today, over 380,000 children are receiving relevant and next-generation aligned learnings made available in 1,289 basic education schools (primary and junior secondary schools) across 18 local government areas in Edo state,” she said.
With respect to improving school infrastructure, which is also a focus area of this administration, Mrs. Salami noted that at least 48,950 metres of school fence have been constructed, another batch of fence construction measuring 14,850 metres will be completed before September 2023; approximately 38,000 furniture sets have been supplied to schools while another of 10,000 furniture sets are in finishing stages soon to be delivered to schools ahead of the new academic session.
“Additionally, over 1,100 toilets have been constructed or renovated with 174 toilets rooms nearing completion. 41 Water projects are also currently ongoing.
She further explained that while so far 7,511 classrooms have been renovated, and 321 new classrooms constructed since the start of the administration, an additional 400 classrooms will be ready to receive pupils when they resume in the next academic session,” she said.
The Executive Chairman acknowledged the facility from World Bank, and partnerships from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other international development partners in improving foundational learning and learning outcomes.
She harped on the need to sustain stronger partnerships with communities, the media, and other stakeholders in protecting and sustaining government investments in basic education.
