Ebonyi Moves to Boost Basic Education as Nwifuru Distributes UBEC Materials to 240 Schools
Nkechinyere Ewa
To strengthen foundational learning and digital access in public schools, Governor of Ebonyi state Francis Nwifuru has flagged off the distribution of teaching and learning materials to schools under the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (EBUBEB).
The exercise, facilitated by the (UBEC) in collaboration with the state universal education board, is designed to improve literacy outcomes, promote digital inclusion and expand access to quality education across the state.
Performing the ceremony at the EB-UBEB office in Abakaliki, the governor called for a major overhaul of Nigeria’s basic education curriculum to incorporate vocational and skills-based training. He urged education stakeholders to embrace competence-driven learning as a strategic response to rising youth unemployment.
Nwifuru emphasised that reform should begin from the upper basic level, particularly from Year Seven, by embedding technical proficiency, innovation and vocational advancement into the curriculum.
According to him, the prevailing system places too much emphasis on theoretical knowledge while neglecting practical skills required in today’s labour market.
“The fault is not with the graduates. They studied what was offered to them. The challenge lies in the structure of the system,” he stated, stressing the need to reposition education toward productivity and self-reliance.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising public schools, noting that steps had been taken to regulate substandard private institutions in order to protect educational standards. He restated his manifesto promise to elevate public schools, insisting that his government remains focused on delivering quality education for all.
On the implementation of the approved ₦90,000 minimum wage for teachers, Nwifuru explained that local government allocations were currently being prioritised to clear outstanding gratuities and pension arrears. He assured that the full implementation of the new wage structure would follow once the backlog is addressed to ensure sustainability and timely retirement benefits.
Representing UBEC’s Executive Secretary, the Commission’s Southeast Zonal Director, Mr. Isaac Ochinwo, described the intervention as part of UBEC’s statutory mandate to enhance access, strengthen quality assurance and improve monitoring within the basic education sub-sector. He said the materials supplied include core textbooks for nursery and primary schools, desktop computers, classroom furniture, writing materials and sporting equipment valued at approximately ₦15 million.
In her remarks, Ebonyi UBEB Chairman, Patience Ogodo, disclosed that 240 schools across the three senatorial zones are benefiting from the first phase of distribution. She listed the items to include 1,410 seats, 46,545 English textbooks, 38,817 mathematics textbooks, 3,675 exercise books, 3,675 school bags, 3,675 school sandals, 3,675 pencils, 1,500 plastic chairs, 492 rubber mats and 2,499 computers, among others. She urged school administrators to safeguard the materials and ensure their effective utilisation.
