Determined to ensure teaching and learning start promptly on the first day of resumption, Executive Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, on Monday, embarked on the second term school resumption monitoring exercise for the 2024/2025 academic session.
Addressing teachers in schools visited, Dr. Adagba commended their timely return after the holiday and dismissed rumors about an extended break.
She urged parents to send their children back to school without delay and directed the introduction of beginning-of-term tests to be conducted within the first week of resumption as part of continuous assessment to encourage punctuality among learners.
Dr. Adagba emphasised that teachers’ responsibilities extend beyond prompt resumption, as they are also expected to have their lesson plans ready, mobilise learners through announcements in worship centres, community gatherings and other forums before school resumption. She urged teachers to live as role models by maintaining high moral and professional standards within their communities.
The SUBEB boss called on teachers to reciprocate the efforts of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, whose commitment to teachers’ welfare is evident in the prompt implementation of the minimum wage and the transparent recruitment of over 9,000 teachers among others.
Schools visited during the monitoring exercise included NKST Junior Secondary and Primary School Adikpo, NKST Primary School Gever, NKST Primary School Iyon-Nanev, NKST Primary School Azer and RCM Primary School Angir, all in Kwande Local Government Area.
At NKST Primary School, Iyon, the headteacher, Mr. Ferdinand Akpoughul, testified that parents were increasingly willing to return their children to basic education schools due to improved quality of teaching.
Dr. Adagba also made an unannounced visit to the Kwande Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) office, where she inspected staff attendance following the Christmas break and charged the Staff to be diligent and proactive in their duties, warning that truancy to work would attract sanctions.