By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
Following its routine inspection and assessment tour visit of the Sokoto Universal Basic Education , SUBEB activities under the BESDA programm initiatives, the Universal Basic Education Commission’s team says the state exceptional performance has scaled the expected intervention margin.
The Commission’s National Implementation Adviser on BESDA , Mr Danjuma Adamu Dabo made the remark Wednesday in Sokoto.
” The result on SUBEB programmes is highly commendable. We are gladdened that communities are actively and collectively engaged in establishing learning centres for themselves.”
He said the team was impressed by the state SUBEB homegrown initiative of establishing non formal Skills Acquisition Centres to fast track enrolment of Out of School Children , women and youth.
” While on inspection, 76 such centres are identified to have been established across the state.”
Though, noting that the number was low compared to the growing beneficiaries, Dabo urged for more centres to accommodate more people .
He said UBEC will be ready to support the expansion of the projects he observed, will open the window for more participation especially of those out school.
However, the Adviser decried the low rate of literacy which UBEC was committed to reversing the trend by boosting enhanced initiatives that will reduce the Out of School Children ratio.
” We want to initiate a workshop for Directors and Focal officers of BESDA inorder to identify areas of successes and weakness recorded for comprehensive report .
” This initiative is key as the World Bank is equally interested in the sustainability of the project.
” Areas where states can sustain programmes for intervention to fight illiteracy and reduce Out of School Children population will be deliberately supported to strengthen its scope ” Dabo assured.
Earlier, the SUBEB Chairman , Hon. Altine Kajiji said the board initiative of establishing centres were directly aimed at reducing the OOSC ratio by giving them the opportunity to acquire basic knowledge and skills in trades.
” Today, Sokoto state has the highest number of centres driving the BESDA projects and activities .”
He said the centres comprise of formal and non formal centres with emphasis on Skills Acquisition windows.
” We are doing that to address the peculiarity of our situation which is dominant by non formal system. That is why we have to be more committed to driving the idea of domesticating skills acquisition initiative for our people.
” The centres drive skills in welding, carpentry,tailoring, knitting , beads and designs among others”, Kajiji pointed out.
