… Tasks Benue SUBEB Officials on constant monitoring of distributed items
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
In the bid to uplift sporting activities in Public Schools in Benue State to the next level, Commissioner for Education, Processor Dennis Ityavyar has flagged – off the distribution of Sports equipment procured by Universal Basic Education Commission(UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) 2018/2019 matching funds for onward distribution to Basic Schools in the State.
The Commissioner also charged Officials of SUBEB to constantly monitor the benefiting Schools to ensure that the distributed sports equipment are used for the purpose for which they are procured and not diverted for other purposes.
Prof. Ityavyar represented by the Special Adviser on Basic Education Hon. Sarwuan Tarnongo, performed the flagged off ceremony at SUBEB headquarters in Makurdi, commended UBEC for not resting on its oars to put in place a conducive and dignifying learning environment for all learners in the State Basic Schools through constant provision of intervention funds for Schools Projects
The Commissioner charged SUBEB to work out a comprehensive sporting calendar that would compel all schools to engage in serious sporting activities within the academic year to provide a road map for promoting sports in Public Schools to compliment the efforts of Government towards the development and sustenance of sporting activities in the State.
He charged the benefiting Schools to ensure that the sports equipment are put to judicious use and assured stakeholders and members of the public that Benue State under the watch of Governor Ortom will continue to do everything possible within its available resources to ensure the success of UBEC Programmes in the State.
The Commissioner explained that the availability of adequate sports equipment and facilities in Public Schools would play a major role in stimulating participation of young learners in sporting activities hence sports became preferred career path for many young people.
” In addition to the fact that sports enhances physical and mental alertness of students, it also keeps the learners busy and reduce youth restiveness and social vices in the society” Ityavyar stated.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman State Universal Basic Education Board, Benue State, Comrade Joseph Utse expressed happiness that the reality of the vision of his principal the Governor of Benue State towards the Development and sustenance of sporting activities in Basic Education Schools has come to stay.
The Executive Chairman further explained that apart from the monetary gains, making sports part of the Schools curriculum was essential in various ways to include; making learners healthy, boost learners self esteem and enhance their leadership skills.
He charged Education Secretaries to henceforth pay serious attention to issues of sports and devised ways of engaging school Pupils in sporting activities with the aim of utilizing the distributed sporting equipment .
Comrade Utse also tasked Head Teacher to ensure that the sporting equipment given to their respective schools are not seen in open market for commercial purposes and warned that anyone found wanting shall be dismissed from service without delay and would be made to face the wrath of the law accordingly.
The Executive Chairman acknowledged the efforts of UBEC for their interest and continued financial assistance for the improvement of Basic Education in the State .
” We are counting on all Stakeholders in our collective efforts to turn around the fortunes of Basic Education in the State” Utse maintained.
In a goodwill message, Education Secretary, Makurdi Local Government Education Authority, Mr. Patrick Aese commended UBEC and SUBEB for their sustained partnership in ensuring the provision of conducive learning atmosphere in Basic Schools.