Benue’s New Education Policy Ditches Basic 6, Approves Basic 9 For Primary School

By Ayodele Oni

The Benue State Government has launched a new education policy which will make primary education to nine years.

Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) explained that the implementation of a new policy will commence during the current academic session in the State.

According to the Board, the new policy will see pupils receive their First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) after completing Basic Nine, instead of Basic Six.

The reform was announced on Wednesday by the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Dr. Grace Adagba, during a public enlightenment programme on the new policy in Makurdi.

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

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.

She explained 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 organizations such as UNICEF, which supports the board by providing training and instructional materials for the various learning 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 that public-school teachers in the state hold at least an NCE certificate, qualifying them to deliver high-quality teaching at the basic level.