UNITED NATION’S CHILDREN FUND TASKS NIGERIAN JOURNALISTS WITH IMPROVED REPORTAGE ON EDUCATION
The United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) Communication Specialist, Dr Geoffrey Njoku speaking at the event attended by journalists drawn from various media organizations across the country admonished the journalists to show interest in the issues around education, particularly the School Based Management Committee (SBMC) as it affects the Girls Education Project (GEP3).
The Communication Specialist urged the journalist to do quality stories that would prompt government at all levels to take necessary actions in ensuring that conducive learning environment and incentive are provided to attract and retain girls in schools to learn, become educated and successful in life.
Penpushing further reports that, he explained that with supports from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (UK-DFID), United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) is promoting the drive to ensure that girls in the Six States are enrolled and retained in schools.
The Director, Social Mobilization, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Alhaji Bello Kagara said the School Based Management Committee (SBMC)would enhance access to education for children in Nigeria and also promote equity and transparency in running the affairs of the schools and the education sector in the affected states.
The United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) Education Specialist in Kano, Muntaka Muktar and the Project Coordinator of UNICEF GEP3 in Kano State, Richard Sheyin Akanet in their separate presentations highlighted the activities of School Based Management Committee (SBMC), the challenges and new strategies going forward.
Penpushing also reports that, the United Nation’s Children Fund (UNICEF) Output Consultant on GEP3, Muhammad Bello said the project has recorded huge success and that the expected target to enroll 1 million girls in schools before 2020 has been achieved to a great extent.
The Consultant said the capacity of School Based Management Committee (SBMC) , was strengthened and that the result manifests in the increased school enrollment, improved performance of teachers in imparting knowledge to children among other indicators.
The Director of Social Mobilisation, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Zamfara State Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar said School Based Management Committee (SBMC) , comprised of key stakeholders in the communities including those that do not have children in the affected schools.
Penpushing reports that, he noted that School Based Management Committee (SBMC) is different from the Parent, Teachers Association (PTA), saying that it is a mechanism which attracts the trusted key members of the communities to volunteer themselves to assist in the management of schools and the education system in the states.
