From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State universal basic Education Board (SUBEB) has said, it will soon commence the arrest of Children ( aged 3-17) Hawking on the streets during school hours in line with the Universal Basic Education laws.
The Executive Secretary of the Board, Hon. Victor Okubonanabo stated this while flagging – off a three day sensitization visit to Swali Modern market and others in Yenagoa the state capital.
The board’s helmsman led other Board Members, Directors of the Social Mobilization Department and local government Education secretaries to the markets equipped with placards with inscriptions, “Say no to tenage pregnancy,” Education is key,” “Leaders of tomorrow please go to school” etc.
Hon. Okubonanabo reiterates the prosperity Administration’s desire to use Education as a signpost for development and blueprint for attracting all round development for citizens and residents of the State noting that in line with Gov Douye Diri’s Education for all mantra in the basic Education sector, the board will not sit on its oars.
Barr. Ebi Ekiotene-George, the board member in charge of Social Mobilization laying credence to the policy direction of Government, charged parents to be up and doing and ensure they send their wards to school or face the full wrath of the law.
Overtime, the Issues of tenage pregnancy, drug abuse, high level of school drop out has been in the front burner of educational discuss in Bayelsa State , the board’s Director of Social Mobilization Mrs. Joy-Jumbo Otoworo says the visit to the market places is part of the boards effort to sensitize the public and Advocate for an increase enrollment drive in schools, as she noted that similar outreach Program will be organized at the Local Government Area’s to spread the gospel of Education in the state.
However, some market women complained that despite the free Education policy,some headmaster’s and teachers ask parents to cough out over 20,000 naira in the guise of registration fee before admitting their wards, this the board promised to bring all perpetrators to book.
Daybreak report that, the sensitization and enrollment drive team visited swali, Kpansia, Opolo and tombia markets in the state capital.
