AGBOR/Nigeria: Head teachers in Delta State public primary schools have been charged to drive the state government’s reform agenda aimed at repositioning the basic educational system.

The Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. (Barr) Samuel Mariere, issued this directive while addressing primary education stakeholders in Ika South and Ika Northeast Local Government Areas.

This event was part of the Board’s tour of the state’s 25 LGAs.Hon. Mariere emphasized that education goes beyond providing infrastructure, such as classroom blocks, to include the intellectual development of pupils. “Inculcating morals and discipline is key to building pupils into great leaders of tomorrow,” he stated, urging head teachers to manage schools as if they were their private enterprises.

Mariere revealed that there would be significant transfers of teachers across the state in the coming weeks as part of the government’s reforms. He appealed to those affected not to resist the transfers, regardless of their connections.

“His Excellency, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has directed the Board to bring innovation to the school system,” Mariere said.

It was resolved that teachers would not remain in a location for more than four years, stressing the need for cooperation from all stakeholders.

Hon. Mariere called on everyone to contribute to building lasting legacies in the state’s public primary schools. He appealed to the Heads of Personnel Management in Ika Northeast and Ika South to support local schools in engaging security services to protect public infrastructure from vandalism.

Community leaders, market women, youth, vigilante groups, and others were urged to be part of the Schools Based Management Committee (SBMC) initiative and to collaborate with head teachers in protecting and taking ownership of public primary schools in their areas.

The Heads of Personnel Management for Ika Northeast and Ika South, Mrs. Iroro Ebita and Mrs. Patricia Mmakwa, assured SUBEB of their support from the grassroots level.

Education Secretaries of Ika Northeast and Ika South, Mr. Chris Ekamagwuhe and Ezinna Onwugbenu, expressed gratitude to the state government for the recent recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff and promised to uphold the government’s vision of transforming public primary schools.

Various stakeholders, including union representatives, welcomed the government’s efforts in the education sector and called for improved welfare packages for workers.

They commended Hon. Mariere for his engagement and commitment to maintaining high standards from the basic foundation of child upbringing.During visits to the palaces of the Obi of Owa Kingdom in Owa-Oyibo and the Dein of Agbor in Ika South, the SUBEB Chairman acknowledged the support of the Royal Fathers in the ongoing reforms.

The Obi of Owa, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor, and the Dein of Agbor, Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi I, pledged their support for the government’s reforms in public primary schools. They also called for the reintroduction of civic education into the school curriculum to restore societal morals.