The Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, D-SUBEB, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, has flagged off a three-day capacity-building workshop to equip 100 education managers with skills to drive climate change education and greening initiatives in Delta schools.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing the Implementation of Climate Change and Greening Curriculum”, commenced with a sensitization and tree-planting exercise at Oharisi Primary School, Ughelli, before going into the Technical sessions.
A total of 50 headteachers and 50 teachers drawn from the 25 Local Government Areas of the state are participating in the residential training.
Flagging off the programme, the Executive Chairman of D-SUBEB, Hon. Samuel Mariere, represented by the Education Secretary of Ughelli North LGEA, Dr. Pius Omubaye, said the initiative was designed to mainstream climate change education, reduce environmental pollution, and revive the culture of tree planting in basic schools.
Hon Mariere decried indiscriminate felling of trees and environmental degradation, and urged participants to champion a “plant-a-tree, replace-a-tree” campaign in their schools and communities.
He charged teachers, headteachers, and SBMC members to become ambassadors of environmental conservation.
Also speaking, the Director of Special Programmes, D-SUBEB, Mrs. Sandra Ogini, described the exercise as a major step towards strengthening climate change education in basic schools in Delta State.
The Director noted that the training would equip schools with practical knowledge to establish greener, cleaner, and healthier learning environments, and urged participants to cascade the lessons to pupils and their communities.
Mrs. Ogini commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his commitment to quality basic education and environmental sustainability under the M.O.R.E. Agenda, and lauded Hon. Mariere for his visionary leadership in Delta Subeb.
She also appreciated UBEC and resource persons for their support.
Delivering a lecture, Dr. Babalola Adeniyi of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Dennis Osadebe University, Asaba, took participants on the causes and effects of climate change.
He emphasized tree planting, proper waste disposal, and environmental sanitation as key measures to mitigate climate change impact in the society.
The ceremonial tree-planting exercise at Oharisi Primary School was a major highlight of day one of the programme, underscoring D-SUBEB and UBEC’s commitment to environmental stewardship in schools.
The event had in attendance Directors of D-SUBEB, Education Secretaries from the 25 LGEAs, SBMC members, headteachers, teachers, and other stakeholders in the basic education sector.
The Greening School Climate Change Initiative is part of the collaborative efforts of D-SUBEB and UBEC to build environmental awareness and promote sustainable practices in public basic schools across Delta State.