A 2-DAY CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP FOR SCHOOL BASED MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES (SBMCs)

By Beatrice Odobi

Cross RiverState Basic Education Board ( SUBEB)
In collaboration with Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Held a 2 day capacity building workshop on “Strengthening School Improvement and Community Ownership”
Across the Three Senatorial Districts of Cross River State, to improve access, quality and management of Basic Education in the State.

The workshop is aimed at strengthening the capacity of SBMCs to take ownership of schools, improve planning, and ensure accountability in the implementation of school improvement programmes in the basic education sector.

Declaring the workshop open, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, represented by Board 3 Member Dr. Mrs. Roseline Bisong, described the training as timely and critical.

She stated: “As SBMC members, SMOs, and LGA Education Secretaries, you are the bridge between government, schools, and communities. Strengthening your capacity is central to improving learning outcomes, fostering community ownership, and bringing out-of-school children back to the classroom.”

She highlighted 3 key expectations from the workshop:
– School Improvement
– Community Ownership
– Reintegration of Out-of-School Children

She assured participants of the Board’s commitment to provide tools and policies, but emphasized that “policies alone cannot work without your dedication at the grassroots.”

The Director of Social Mobilization, SUBEB, Mr. Abua Sunday Afo, also addressed the participants. He noted that “An active SBMC is the vehicle that drives a good education system”and urged participants to demonstrate strong skills in facilitation, mentorship, advocacy, communication, conflict resolution, and community engagement. He charged them to step down the knowledge acquired to the grassroots.

The workshop was attended by key stakeholders including:
– Prof. German Professor of Education, University of Calabar
– Prof. Agba Professor of Sociology, University of Calabar
– Etubom Ita Edem State Chairman, SBMC
– Mr. Emmanuel Akpan Technical Representative, Department of Social Mobilization, UBEC
– Dr. Omuta State Coordinator, UBEC, Cross River State
– Chief Engr. Ray State Treasurer, SBMC
– Mrs. Emeka Director of Schools, Cross River State
– Comrade David Onah Assistant State Secretary, NUT
– Executive Secretaries LGA Education Authorities
– Other Stakeholdersfrom communities, schools and partner agencies.

The resource persons for the workshop were drawn from UBEC and the University of Calabar. The major facilitators were Prof. German, Prof. Agba, and Mr. Emmanuel Akpan.

They delivered presentations on the following:
– Categories of Out-of-School Children
– Causes of Out-of-School Children
– Promoting Inclusive Education Practices for vulnerable and marginalized learners
– Principles of Inclusive Education
– Barriers to Learning
– Classroom Inclusiveness
– Promoting Gender Responsive Education
– Supporting Learners with Disabilities
– Participatory Learning Approaches for Community-Based Education- involving parents, community leaders and learners in decision-making
– Resource Mobilization and Management

The sessions were highly interactive with group work, presentations and action planning.
Participants expressed appreciation to SUBEB and UBEC for the opportunity and pledged to apply the knowledge gained to improve school management and promote community ownership of basic education in Cross River State.