N267bn basic education funds remain unused in states — UBEC

“The true measure of investment in education lies not in what we spend, but in the quality of learning we deliver, the opportunities we create, and the future we secure for our children,” Oborevwori said.

He added that UBEC had approved two additional Model SMART Schools for Delta State, with the state government already providing the required land for the projects.

The governor further disclosed that more than 5,500 teachers had received training in programmes including Jolly Phonics, STEP, SMASE and School-Based Training, while 53 community tutors had been deployed to underserved areas.

The Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, Samuel Mariere, said the state’s hosting of the meeting reflected the importance attached to basic education by the state government.

Mariere commended UBEC for its partnership with Delta State and praised the governor for creating an environment that supports investment in the education sector.

He said the state’s interventions demonstrated an approach in which education spending was viewed as an investment in the future rather than simply government expenditure.

The SUBEB chairman also disclosed that the state had introduced SMART Board technology and digital monitoring systems in public basic schools, including measures designed to address teacher absenteeism.

He said technology could play a wider role in education by improving accountability and strengthening institutional management.

“The deployment of technology should not be limited to learning alone; it can also serve as a tool for improving accountability and institutional effectiveness,” Mariere said.

The Asagba of Asaba, Prof Epiphany Azinge, described education as one of the most important investments a country could make, stressing that Nigeria’s future depended heavily on the quality of its human capital.

He said the country’s greatest wealth was not its natural resources but the knowledge and abilities developed in its children.

Participants at the meeting also called for stronger collaboration among UBEC, state education boards, development organisations, traditional institutions and local communities to improve basic education nationwide.

The meeting is expected to continue with technical discussions on education planning, funding utilisation, accountability, digital transformation and strategies for increasing access to quality basic education.

The stakeholders are expected to use the forum to examine ways of ensuring that available education resources are effectively converted into better facilities, improved teaching and stronger learning outcomes for Nigerian children.