The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced the implementation of a new policy that will see students receive their First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) after completing Basic 9, instead of Basic 6. 

This significant reform was announced by the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, during an appearance on Radio Benue's public enlightenment programme, 'On the Line' and monitored by our correspondent on Wednesday.

Dr. Adagba, accompanied by the Director of Finance and Accounts, Dr. Samuel Akaa, and the Director of the Digital Resource Centre, Dr. Karim Usman, outlined SUBEB's ongoing efforts to elevate the standard of basic education in Benue State. 

She emphasised that under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, SUBEB is focused on delivering quality education through the provision of modern infrastructure and instructional materials.

Speaking on the recent Enrolment Drive Campaign across the state's three geo-political zones, Dr. Adagba stressed the importance of enrolling all school-age children, noting that the school enrolment drive was in line with the state's policy on free and compulsory basic education. 

The SUBEB chairman, who highlighted the importance of Early Childhood Care, Development, and Education (ECCDE) centres located in public primary schools across the state, urged parents to enrol their children as young as two years old, adding that the centres serve as nursery schools that provide a solid educational foundation for young learners.

During the programme, Dr. Adagba also discussed SUBEB's partnerships with international organisations such as UNICEF, which supports the board by providing training and instructional materials for ECCDE centres. 

Adagba noted that the ongoing initiatives of the board in partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) aimed at rehabilitating street children and equipping them with life-improving skills was yielding the desired result.

While assuring the public of the quality of teaching staff in public schools in the state, Dr. Adagba assured listeners that all public-school teachers in the state hold at least an NCE certificate, qualifying them to deliver high-quality teaching at the basic level.

On his part, Dr. Karim Usman, Director Digital Resource Centre, told the public that SUBEB's online recruitment portal was working seamless without complaints from applicants, informing that with the successful completion of a staff verification exercise, the board now has effective automated payroll system.

Dr. Samuel Akaa, Director Finance of the board, reaffirmed SUBEB's commitment to transparency and accountability in its operations.

Listeners who called into the programme, including Daniel Utenan and Dominic Ubaa commended Dr. Adagba's leadership and the visible improvements at SUBEB. 

They, however, advocated for the reintroduction of handcraft learning in public schools and commended the board's supervision of teachers, which has significantly boosted performance.