By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, and the Federal Ministry of Education, FME, are to collaboratively advocate the establishment and sustainability of Community-Based Early Childhood Care Development and Education, ECCDE, centres and Neighbourhood Primary Schools in Benue state.

This was made known when the Executive Chairman of Benue SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, received a delegation from the FME, who were at the Board headquarters on advocacy visit for that purpose.

The Information Officer of the Board, Emmanuella Akese in a statement disclosed that Dr. Adagba, while receiving the team highlighted the importance of ECCDE, also known as Nursery Sections, in ensuring a smooth transition into Primary School.

She stated that under her leadership, “Benue SUBEB has embarked on robust Enrollment Drive Campaigns to encourage the enrollment of children into ECCDE centres in Public Primary Schools across the State.”

While disclosing that Nursery Sections had been established and equipped in all Public Primary Schools in the State, the Chairman encouraged parents to take advantage of this opportunity to enrol their children.

Speaking more on the transformation drive in the sector, Dr. Adagba stated that “modern storey buildings with Nursery Sections have been constructed in 12 Basic Schools across the State, with more underway. And to make learning more attractive, innovations such as Craft and Sports Days, as well as Quiz and Debate competitions, have been introduced in Basic Schools.”

She revealed plans to set up a task force by September to monitor ECCDE Centres and ensure their effective operation emphasizing that the Board had carried out intensive Enrollment Drive Campaigns across the three Geo -political Zones of the State, reaching out to key education stakeholders to boost enrollment.

Team lead from the FME, Ladi Chipa, stressed that the first five years of a child’s life were critical for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. She described ECCDE as essential in ensuring children grow into sound and productive citizens.

While commending Benue SUBEB for its progress in its enrollment campaigns, she noted that more efforts were needed to reach unreached children.

Another member of the team, Confidence Okonkwo said their visit aimed “to strengthen partnerships with the Benue State Government and advocate for support from Community Stakeholders, Faith-Based Organizations, traditional leaders, and others in establishing and sustaining ECCDE centres.”

She expressed hope that Nursery Sections would enhance children’s transition to primary education and contribute to building a productive nation.

She also noted that in previous years, the FME in collaboration with UNICEF, established some Community-based ECCDE Centres in the State and called for increased support from stakeholders to replicate and expand the centres.

Highlight of the visit was the presentation of key policy documents, including the National Policy on Early Childhood Care Development and Education and its Implementation Guidelines, as well as the National Minimum Standards for ECCDE Centres in Nigeria.

The FME delegation comprised Chipa Ladi, Confidence Okonkwo, and Abraham Akpe.