Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, in partnership with Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Thursday, held an Agricultural Education Training Programme, AETP, as part of measures towards sustainable agricultural development and food security in the country.
Declaring the one day sensitization training open at the SUBEB headquarters in Asaba, Chairman SUBEB, Delta State, Hon Samuel Marierie, said the training is key to addressing challenges of practical Agricultural education at the grassroots level.
According to Hon Mariere, participants were drawn among stakeholders from 40 primary and secondary schools across the state.
Represented by the First Member of the Board, Mr Chukwuemeka Uwadia, the SUBEB Boss, highlighted the importance both the federal and Delta state governments placed on advancement of Agricultural Education in schools.
Stressing that Agriculture is key to growth of the nation’s economic development, Hon Mareire pointed out that agricultural science remains one major subjects at the Basic Education level.
The former Lawmaker who represented Ughelli North One Constituency for two tenure in the Delta State House of Assembly, disclosed that it is the intention of government to expose pupils and students to vocational studies in agriculture as teaching of the subject in schools has been largely theoretical rather than practical.
Hon Mariere explained that such would help make objectives and goals in agricultural science education achievable.
He commended UBEC for setting up a committee of experts to develop AETP guideline to reinvigorate practical aspect of Agricultural Science, especially at the Basic education level as well as the 2% of UBEC intervention Matching Grant Fund for the implementation of the programme in schools.
The SUBEB Boss expressed optimism that the programme will turn out graduates that have interest and passion for farming and any other aspect of agriculture as it would go a long way in promoting food security and youth employment.
He enjoined stakeholders selected from the various schools across the state to make the programme work to achieved the desired results.
The UBEC State Coordinator, Mrs Sharon Dafiluelo commended Delta State government for keying into the AETP training programme.
Mrs Dafiluelo said the programme is aim to catching pupils and students to get interested in not only in theory but practical knowledge in agricultural science education.
She thanked the Federal Government for approval of 2% intervention Matching Grant Fund from UBEC for the programme, adding that pupils and students of JSS Secondary Schools would be trained to develop skills in agriculture.
The Permanent Secretary, SUBEB, Delta State, Mr Byron Unini assured stakeholders that the programme would be funded by UBEC to ensure that they established physical farms in their various schools.
Mr Unini charged all to be prudent and accountable, saying that mismanagement of funds meant for the programme would amount to criminal offense.
The Director, Department of Academic Services, SUBEB, Mrs Franciscan Okpeh in her remarks, said the training was to sensitize stakeholders in Agricultural Science Education on the need to be involved in Agricultural Science Education both in primary and junior secondary schools.
She called on participants to take the training programme serious as it is designed to expose them to modern techniques in Agricultural Science Education.
The opening ceremony was attended by top officials of SUBEB and other relevant departments.