By Sharon Ivovi
The Executive Chairman, Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere has commended the youths and people of Ugono-Orogun Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State for protecting a critical education asset in the community against vandals, theft and arson.
Hon. Mariere gave the commendation on Monday when he undertook a tour of facilities at the UBEC Model Smart School, located at Ugono-Orogun which was built and handed over to the state government by the federal government through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Expressing satisfaction on the conduct of the youths and indigenes of the area, Mariere decried the poor maintenance culture of public infrastructure in the country, just as he disclosed that the board under his leadership had concluded plans to visit all the 25 Local Government Areas to convoke a stakeholders meeting with traditional rulers, president generals, youth, women and vigilante groups.
He said, that the stakeholders meeting was to sensitize the people on the need to take full ownership of public schools in their domain by ensuring that they were not wantonly destroyed or vandalized.
The SUBEB boss who expressed satisfaction on the siting of the UBEC Smart Model school in the area, which he said was one of its kind in the country, and the only one in the State, disclosed that enrolment of pupils and students would begin in September, heralding the 2024/2025 academic calendar.
While encouraging parents and guardians to enrol their children in pupils schools to enjoy the free education policy of the State government, Hon. Mariere noted that public schools in the state boast of some of the best facilities and well trained teachers that could favourable compete with their peers or counterparts anywhere in the country.
He said the school which comprised of basic education programme from primary 1-6, and JS 1- 3, all in one place, would foster learning and quality education in the State, even as he told journalists that covered the tour that qualified teachers that would work in the school had been recruited and trained while others would be sponsored to Korea for additional training.
The SUBEB Chairman who also disclosed that the school had adequate facilities to accommodate technical education learning, information technology, basic education and pre-school preparation facilities, stated that the Smart School project was a complete packaged.
While emphasizing the role of education in the development and growth of any nation, the SUBEB boss disclosed that the governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s led administration was totally committed in advancing the state through his MORE agenda and called for the support and cooperation of stakeholders.
Hon. Samuel Mariere was accompanied by Board Members Mr. Chukwuemeka Uwadia, Mr. Onome Akpoghere ,Mrs Josephine Edjeren as well as the Permanent Secretary in the Board, Sir Byron Unini .
