By joshua 
Gov. Nwifuru Flags Off Distribution of Teaching, Learning Materials To Public Schools In Ebonyi
By Emmanuel Agbo, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Governor Chief Francis Nwifuru has flagged off the distribution of teaching and learning materials to public schools under the state’s Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB).
The exercise, coordinated by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (EBUBEB), is aimed at strengthening foundational literacy, digital inclusion and access to quality education.
Speaking during the flag-off at UBEB headquarters, Abakaliki, the Governor called for integrating vocational and skills-based education into Nigeria’s basic education curriculum, urging a structural shift toward competence-driven learning to address rising youths unemployment.
He stressed the need for a curriculum overhaul to embed vocational advancement, technical proficiency and innovation-focused learning within the education system.
According to him, the current model disproportionately emphasises theoretical knowledge at the expense of practical competencies, leaving many graduates ill-equipped for labour market realities.
“The fault is not with the graduates. They studied what was offered to them. The challenge lies in the structure of the system,” he stated, stressing that education must be repositioned to equip learners with relevant skills for productivity and self-reliance.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalising public schools, noting that regulatory measures had been taken against substandard private institutions to safeguard educational standards.
“In our manifesto, we pledged to make the worst public school better than the best private school. That commitment remains unwavering,” the governor said.
“We are building a system where teachers receive their gratuities and pensions without delay upon retirement. That is the reform trajectory,” he added
The UBEC’s Executive Secretary represented by Commission’s Southeast Zonal Director, Mr Isaac Ochinwo, described the intervention as consistent with UBEC’s statutory mandate to enhance access, ensure quality assurance and strengthen monitoring mechanisms within the basic education sub-sector.
He revealed that the consignment comprises core textbooks for nursery and primary schools, desktop computers, writing materials, classroom furniture and sporting equipment, amounting to approximately N15 million items.
Interacting with newsmen, the Chairman of UBEB, Rt. Hon. Patience Ogodo noted that distribution to the benefitting schools would commence immediately, with 240 schools across the three senatorial zones captured in the first phase.
She listed the materials inaugurated for distribution to include: 1,410 seats, 46,545 English textbooks and 38, 817 mathematics textbooks.
“We also have 3, 675 exercise books, 3, 675 school bags, 3, 675 school sandals, 3, 675 pencils, 1,500 plastic chairs, 492 rubber mats, 2,499 computers among others.” she said.
She urged school administrators and teachers to safeguard the materials and ensure optimal utilisation to achieved the objective of the interventions.