​Sokoto Team in Kwara to Understudy SMBC Implementation 

A team from the Sokoto State government is currently on a visit to Kwara to understudy the implementation of the successful School Based Management Committees (SBMC) in the State.

SBMC comprises major stakeholders including teachers, parents, old students’ associations and community leaders, who are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring effective management of primary and junior secondary schools.
The team led by the Sokoto State Commissioner for Education, Basic and Secondary, Dr. Jabbi Kilgore was received on Tuesday by the Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Alhaji Musa Yeketi and other top officials of the Ministry.
Dr. Kilgore explained that through their findings, they realized that Kwara is the most successful State in the implementation of the SBMC, which has ensured greater community participation in the administration of basic education in the State.
He said this necessitated their visit to Kwara as the Sokoto State government is desirous to ensure that communities and parents participate effectively and make contributions towards the educational development of their wards and the State in general.    
In his response, Alhaji Yeketi said that with the introduction of SBMCs in primary and secondary schools across Kwara, the State had recorded tremendous positive impacts in the development of basic education.
He said that the Kwara State government inaugurated the SBMC in 2010 having recognized the importance of parents and community involvement towards the building of a successful education system.
According to him, the SBMC identify basic education delivery targets and suggest possible methods of attaining them. He added that the committees also proffer ways to address other issues affecting the realization of quality basic education.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the State government will soon decentralize Universal Basic Education by creating local government education authorities, which will give room for adequate monitoring of schools.  
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Ladi Hassan said that with the introduction of SBMC in the State, more parents now realize their roles in the education of their children.
He stressed that there has been a substantial increment in enrolment of students across basic schools in the State, adding that over N500m has been invested in education through community effort.
Officials of SUBEB, Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) and Action Aid were present at the interactive session, which also had in attendance the immediate past Vice-chancellor of Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu.