The FCT Universal Basic Education Board(UBEB) has reiterated its commitment to ensure quality education and address out of school children.
The Board made the pledge on Monday in Abuja during the finals of the 2024 season 3 of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board Head – To- Head Debate Reality show.
Through the programme student ambassadors aim to convince their peers at home to return to school.
The Board’s spokesperson, Mrs Patience Ossai quoted Dr Alhassan Sule, the Acting Executive Chairman of FCT UBEB in a statement as saying the importance of education could not be overstated.
He affirmed that globally, education was the bedrock of development and a passport to the future.
He added that the Federal government under President Ahmed Tinubu saw education as a priority, adding that FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wikem was working to improve infrastructural development in FCT schools.
Sule noted that the board was using the initiative as a strategy to curb the menace of out of school children in the territory and further supported the Federal government effort in reducing the syndrome.
“We all know that Basic Education is free and compulsory and there is sanction for violation of the Act.
“So we urge all hands to be on deck to support education for all. No more hawking during school hours,” Sule said.
The Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmud commended FCTUBEB for the invaluable contribution in addressing the incidence of out- of – school children challenge in FCT.
Mahmud represented by Mrs Grace Adayilo, Permanent Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, assured that the FCT Administration would be duly responsible for sustaining the project.
Dr Jumai Ahmadu, the leader of Head – To- Head Reality Show and Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department, FCTA, said that the debate was the first of its kind under Sule’s visionary leadership.
She added that Head – To- Head was a vision that should be supported and sustained.
“The vision of the programme is to ensure that every child of school age is in school and to reduce social vices in the society,” she said.
Ahmadu also applauded FCTUBEB for providing a serene and conducive environment marked with high-tech equipment to host the programme.
The winners of the reality show were from Bwari Area Council they won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.
The winning school, Junior Secondary School Dutse Alhaji II was given a generator, laptops, knapsacks, certificates and a golden trophy.
The second place, JSS Kubwa 1 was equally rewarded with laptops, bags, certificates and trophy. Consolation prizes were given to the third, fourth position. (NAN)
