By Peter Duru, Makurdi

No fewer than 1,159 new classrooms were constructed while 2,034 others were renovated across the North Central zone in 2025, in a major push to reduce overcrowding and improve learning conditions in public schools.

The Executive Chairman of Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Grace Adagba, disclosed this while presenting the North Central zone’s scorecard at the 29th Quarterly Meeting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Management with SUBEB Executive Chairmen.

A statement by her Special Assistant on Corporate Communications and Community Engagements, Msughter Ataigbough, noted that Dr. Adagba, who spoke in her capacity as Dean of North Central SUBEB Executive Chairmen, said the region also recorded significant gains in school infrastructure and safety.

According to her, “In 2025 alone, the zone constructed 1,159 new classrooms and renovated 2,034 others, helping to reduce overcrowding in schools.

“In addition to classroom construction and renovation, 7,963 schools have been fenced, while 116,787 pieces of learner furniture were provided to enhance both safety and the overall learning environment,” she said.

The statement quoted the Benue SUBEB Chairman as further noting that the provision of toilets and boreholes had significantly improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) conditions in schools across the zone.

She added that Early Childhood Care, Development and Education (ECCDE) centres had expanded, while teacher training and textbook distribution had also witnessed marked improvements.

Dr. Adagba explained that “classroom support has been strengthened through the deployment of community tutors and the recruitment of additional teachers to bridge staffing gaps.”

Highlighting other milestones, she said the zone conducted a digital annual census, hosted the Learners Support Programme flag-off and Basic Education summits, as well as launched Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs) and Project BRACE-UP aimed at addressing the challenge of out-of-school children.

She, however, called for renewed commitment from SUBEB Chairmen, particularly in identifying out-of-school children and advancing the digitisation of education data systems, with support from UBEC and the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE).

A key highlight of the meeting was the launch of the Basic Education Action Plan Management System (BEAPMS) by UBEC, a digital platform expected to strengthen planning, monitoring and delivery of basic education interventions nationwide.