In order to ensure that community participation and ownership are at the heart of providing quality education for public primary school learners across the state, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), in collaboration with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has sensitised Education Secretaries in all the 20 Local Government Education Authorities in Ogun State, on Implementation of School-Based Management Committee - School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP).

Declaring the stakeholders' meeting open at NUT Hall, Kuto, Abeokuta, Chairman, SUBEB, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, said the platform aimed at strengthening the partnership and ensuring that the schools, especially those in urgent need benefit.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Mikhail Lawal,

Dr. Majekodunmi, highlighted the objectives of the programme to include, improving infrastructure, enhancing learning environment and ensuring that learners have access to the materials needed to succeed, stating that beneficiary schools must have functional SBMCs that were not only active but ready to mobilise the required 10 per cent counterpart fund.

He said, "I cannot over-emphasise the need for transparency and accountability in the management of these resources. Unlike previous initiatives, there are strict consequences for any failure to complete the approved projects. I urge all stakeholders to take this responsibility seriously, as the eyes of both the community and government are upon us".

Earlier, representative of UBEC, from Social Mobilization Department, Abuja, Mr. Jakes Jiya, said the programme aimed at sensitising participants on actionable strategies, in terms of providing facilities and amenities, as well as completing the selected classrooms.

He explained that the projects would have positive impact on learners when completed, increase students’ enrolment and convivial ambience for teaching and learning, advising participants to take the project serious.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogun State Chapter, Comrade Noah Sewakanu and Chairman of Education Secretaries, Mr. Muhammad Ali, commended the agencies for the programme, noting that it would complement the efforts of the state government at ensuring that every child has access to conducive learning environment.

Earlier, the Director, Social Mobilisation Department in SUBEB, Mr. Akinleye Abodunrin, appreciated UBEC for the intervention, especially at this inflation period.     In his lecture, the resource person, Education Officer, Social Mobilisation Department, SUBEB, Mr. Olamukun Olawale, described SBMC-SIP as a community-initiated self-help project that would serve as a link between the schools and the government, saying education remains pivotal to development, which cannot be achieved in isolation.

He further stressed that the programme would bring more development to the schools, as they would receive funds from UBEC to implement different projects.

Appreciating both state and federal governments for the programme on behalf of other participants, Education Secretary, Imeko-Afon Local Government Education Authority, Tpl. Paul Ayoola, promised to judiciously utilise the funds