The Executive Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Awka, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi has reiterated the need for all stakeholders to participate actively in school governance for effective service delivery, improved access, equity and better learning outcomes for learners.
Dr. Nwadinobi made the remark while presenting her keynote address at the official inauguration of the State Task Team, STT of the School Based Management Committee, SBMC and the inauguration of Soludo SBMC Support Group, SSSG held at the Utility Hall of the ASUBEB headquarters, Awka.
According to the ASUBEB boss, SBMC was established to assist in decentralising decision-making authority by giving schools greater autonomy to address their unique challenges through indigenous resources free of charge.
“The involvement of school level actors in the education system such as teachers, learners, parents, communities, among others is to pave way for context-sensitive and learners focused decision making process”, she stressed.
Continuing, Dr. Nwadinobi noted that Governor Charles Soludo in his resolve to end the era of schools without teachers has gone a step further to approve the Club of Patrons and Community Based Supervisors in the spirit of Public Private Community Partnership, PPCP to enable stakeholders ensure that the schools in their communities perform maximally because basic education is the responsibility of all.
Earlier in his opening remark, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof Offornze Amaucheazi said that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has done a lot to provide quality infrastructure to facilitate quality education for Anambra children while congratulating the ASUBEB leadership for implementing the State government policy plans on basic education.
In a welcome address, the Director, Social Mobilisation Department, ASUBEB, Mrs Amaka Ikedimma observed that the National SBMC was inaugurated on December 18th, 2024 for the sole aim of galvanizing the State Task Team for effective service delivery across all the States in the federation, adding that the State Task Team is saddled with the role of engaging in advocacy with top government functionaries and community leaders for the implementation of SBMC goals, advocating for the provision of funds for school development and capacity development of SBMCs among others responsibilities.
The State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake stated that the inauguration of the SBMC Task Team at this time was right especially now that the State government is completing the pilot 22 Smart Secondary Schools established in each of the 21 Local Government Areas to enhance the global competitiveness of our children and urged the Task Team to assist government in the areas of security and maintenance of these schools.
The Chairman, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, PPSSC, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu appealed to the newly inaugurated SBMC Task Team to assist the schools in checkmating the activities of schools in their communities as well in the control of moral decadence among children.
In their goodwill messages, the National Chairman, SBMC, Alhaji Abdulahi Umar, represented by the National PRO, Dr. Ukachukwu Erisim and the Royal Father of the Day, Igwe Dr. Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu expressed delight with how well Anambra State is advancing in the area of basic education and described SBMC as a synergy between the government and the community.
The event also featured a paper presentation themed: “Efficient Resource Management: Bedrock for Improved Education System” by Dr. Nkechi Ofojebe, where she harped on the need for efficient utilisation of available resources through effective budgeting, financial management and optimization of human resources.
The event climaxed with the inauguration of the Anambra State SBMC Task Team which include: Engr. Prof. Stephen Ufoaroh as the State Chairman/Chairman Southeast; Dr. Vitalis Nwakoby as Vice Chairman; Lady Felicia Ezeukwu as Secretary; Mrs Amaka Ikedimma as the Director, Social Mobilization/Treasurer; Mrs Uzoma Chidimma as the Secretary representing Secondary Schools; and Sir Chike Ononye as the PRO.
Delivering his acceptance speech, the State Chairman, Anambra State Task Team of SBMC, Engr Prof. Ufoaro not Dr ooo assured that his team will rise to the challenges of effective and efficient management of available resources to achieve the desired changes in the educational system so as to gain the trust of donor agencies to invest more on education.
Highlights were the inauguration of Soludo SBMC Support Group, cultural dance and band performance by learners.
