By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
In a bid to strengthen the quality of basic education in Anambra State, the wife of the State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo has flagged-off the distribution of educational materials and Digital Tablets to Anambra Schools.
The event, held at the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB Headquarters, Awka attracted ASUBEB Permanent Board Members, ASUBEB Ex-Officio Members, Zonal Directors of Education, Officers-in- Charge of education in the 21 Local Government Areas of the State, Principals, Headteachers, ASUBEB Digital Teachers for Soludo, ADTS and school children.
The materials procured by the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC in collaboration with the State government through the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB include: core text books, tablets phones, Novels, Magnetic White Boards, diaries, registers, index boxes, suggestion boxes, exercise books, ECCDE toys, and sports equipment.
In her speech, the First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Nonye Soludo stated that education is a topic that will never be separated from human development, describing it as a perfect balance between civilization and growth.
According to Dr. Soludo, the distribution exercise is an important part of the ideologies that drive Governor Soludo’s administration in the State, adding that the educational materials for the schools is a way to improve education and strengthen learning outcomes.
While urging the beneficiaries to use the materials for their personal growth, she noted that the huge investment in education by Governor Soludo is in line with his policy of “everything technology and technology everywhere’, which she said has translated to Anambra State being among the leading States in WAEC and NECO examinations.
In her welcome address, the Executive Chairman, ASUBEB, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi stated that the educational resources represent a significant investment in the future of our youths and the overall development of Anambra State.
Dr. Nwadinobi observed that the gesture was part of the reformed relationship between ASUBEB and UBEC, and extolled the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR for his unwavering commitment to transform basic education in Anambra State.
“By putting textbooks, teaching aids, and digital tools directly into the hands of the learners, and teachers, the State Government was laying the foundation for a 21st Century learning environment that is inclusive and interactive in line with global best practices”, Dr. Nwadinobi opined.
Continuing, she thanked the Governor’s wife for the humanitarian courses she champions in the State, especially the ‘Healthy Living Club’ she established in the primary schools. She also commended UBEC and other development partners for their various interventions to improve basic education in the various States of the federation.
“These resources carefully selected to support literacy, numeracy and digital literacy must be used to nurture curiosity and track pupils’ progress in real time”, she stressed.
In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary, UBEC, Aisha Garba, represented by the State Coordinator, Mr. Kinsley Nlewedim praised Anambra State for the flag-off and maintained that the instructional materials are the basic ingredients towards achieving quality education, charging the school Heads to ensure that the materials are not stocked in stores but be adequately utilized.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, PPSSC, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu extolled Governor Soludo for his relentless efforts in making education a priority in the State, and charged the Head Teachers and Principals to put the materials to effective use.
On her part, the Commissioner for education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh noted that Governor Soludo came with a passion to place education at the door step of every child in Anambra by recruiting over 8,000 qualified teachers to teach the learners, adding that Mr. Governor is doing so much for the State due to the type of support he gets from his wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo.
Highlights were the flag-off of the distribution of educational materials to learners and teachers, presentation of award to the First Lady, inspection of ASUBEB garden, while cultural dances added colour to the event.
