Nasarawa State Emerges Best In Nigeria In Implementing Basic Education Programme

The development strides of the Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa State will continue to bear fruits as the state was just recently rated as the best performing state in the country in terms of implementing basic education programme.

This feat was announced at the just concluded quarterly meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) management as well as all State Universal Basic Education Boards in the country, which took place in Bauchi State.

Throwing more light on this latest achievement, Executive Secretary, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), Comrade Yakubu Ahmed Ubangari, attributed the success to the relentless and unwavering support and commitment of the Governor Al-makura administration towards the provision of basic education, coupled with the determination of the management and staff of the board towards uplifting the standard of primary education in the state.

Comrade Ubangari further disclosed that Governor Al-makura’s resolve and determination to offset outstanding counterpart funds to the UBEC has brought tremendous impetus in the quest to eradicate illiteracy and poverty through the provision of qualitative basic education to all citizens of the state.

The UBE Act 2004 makes provision for basic education comprising of ECCE, Primary and Junior Secondary Education.

The financing of basic education is the responsibility of States and Local Governments. However, the Federal Government has decided to intervene in the provision of basic education with 2% of its Consolidated Revenue Fund.

For states to fully benefit from this fund, criteria were established which states are to comply. The Act also provides for the establishment of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to co-ordinate the implementation of the programme at the states and local government through the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) of each state and the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) . The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) was formally established on October 7, 2004.

Nasarawa State has just emerged the best performing state in the country because of its due compliance with the criteria established by UBEC in accessing the Consolidated Revenue Fund, all thanks to the unwavering commitment of the Governor Al-makura administration.

Only recently, the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, invited interested, competent and reputable contractors to submit their profile for pre-qualification for the construction and procurement of infrastructural facilities for schools across the state, a move that would further place the state in high pedestal in the area of provision of basic education.