The Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, in collaboration with the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, flagged off a statewide community sensitization campaign in Asaba to boost enrollment in public basic schools and ensure no school-age child is left behind.
Tagged “Education for All is a Responsibility of All”, the campaign is targeting out-of-school children, the girl-child, nomadic children, children with special needs, as well as youth and adult learners seeking educational opportunities.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, SUBEB Executive Chairman, Barr. Hon. Samuel Mariere, said the exercise will be replicated across all 25 local government areas through road walks, stakeholder engagements, and intensive community sensitization.
Hon Mariere noted that announcements have been recorded and translated into English and major indigenous languages including Urhobo, Isoko, Ika, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Aniocha and Ndokwa as well as Pidgin English to ensure effective grassroots communication.
He said Local Government Education Authorities will be provided with public address systems and other logistics to take the campaign to villages, riverine, and hard-to-reach communities.
Mariere disclosed that the exercise also marks the commencement of admission into all public basic schools across Delta State, stressing that basic education remains free and compulsory for every school-age child.
The two term member of the Delta State House of Assembly and former Commissioner for Water Resources Development in the state, urged parents and guardians to enroll eligible children immediately, adding that government will continue to prioritize child protection through perimeter fencing and other security measures to strengthen safety in schools.
The SUBEB Chairman said the Board is sustaining key interventions under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, including School Improvement Grant, SIG initiative, through which monthly grants are paid to schools to subsidize expenditures previously borne by pupils and parents.
He added that 14 schools have been selected in the initial phase of the Special Improvement Programme, SIP, for infrastructural upgrades, while continuous teacher training and extracurricular learning opportunities are being strengthened to improve accountability, teacher effectiveness, and learning outcomes.
The UBEC representative at the event, Sharon Dafiluelo, said the nationwide sensitization is going on across all states of the federation as part of efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children, especially girls, and encourage those who dropped out to return to the classroom.
Dafiluelo stressed the need to encourage children who have dropped out of school to return to the classroom, noting that they deserve another opportunity to acquire education and vocational skills.
She expressed concern over the increasing number of out-of-school children in the country and urged local government authorities to take the campaign to communities, villages and other hard-to-reach areas to ensure that every child has access to quality basic education.
The Dean of Education Secretaries in Delta State, Chief Rose Esiso, pledged the commitment of Education Secretaries statewide to work in line with the chairman’s vision and ensure the campaign achieves its purpose at the grassroots.
Chairman, School-Based Management Committee, SBMC, Mr. Okpare Sunday, reaffirmed the committee’s resolve to supporting efforts aimed at reducing out-of-school children.
He said SBMCs made up of artisans, market women, vigilante members, religious leaders, and other community stakeholders will work with SUBEB to take the advocacy to every village and settlement.
Director of Social Mobilization, Delta SUBEB, Mr. Felix Eghwujovho, said vehicles, public address systems, and speed boats will be deployed to support the exercise, particularly in riverine areas, while funds will be provided to LEA secretaries for campaign equipment.
As part of the flag-off programme, the Subeb Boss, Hon Mariere led a road walk along major roads in the state capital, including Nnebisi Road and Okpanam Road in Oshimili South and Oshimili North LGAs.
