The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has pledged to strengthen School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) in basic education as part of efforts to reduce Nigeria’s over 10.5 million out-of-school children.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the outgoing Executive Secretary of UBEC, disclosed this during the closing ceremony of a two-day capacity-building workshop for SBMC members held in Abuja. He emphasized the critical role of SBMCs in increasing school enrollment and ensuring effective school management within communities.
“This engagement has laid the foundation for establishing a national platform for SBMC operations in Nigeria,” Bobboyi stated. He noted that the workshop aimed to enhance SBMCs’ visibility and impact by fostering collaboration among government officials, educators, and community members for an inclusive approach to basic education.
UBEC has worked tirelessly to strengthen the implementation of school-based management principles, Bobboyi said, adding, “Our efforts are intended to transform schools into hubs of community engagement and empowerment.”
The workshop equipped participants with knowledge of decentralization practices, the school-based management concept, and the framework for a national SBMC structure. Bobboyi reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to supporting SBMCs in ensuring every Nigerian child has access to quality education.
Dr. Ossom Ossom, UBEC’s Director of Social Mobilization, highlighted the importance of SBMCs in improving the quality and inclusiveness of basic education. He expressed satisfaction with the vision to establish a national body comprising SBMC chairpersons across the country, emphasizing their potential for grassroots and national success.
The initiative represents a significant step toward addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis and ensuring inclusive, community-driven education.