By Tolulope Eniola
The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has intensified efforts to strengthen community participation and improve learning outcomes in public schools through enhanced social mobilisation strategies.
This formed the focus of a three-day capacity-building workshop organised for Social Mobilisation Officers and key education stakeholders drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state.
Speaking at the workshop, the Permanent Secretary of SUBEB, Princess Abike Bayo-Ilawole, described social mobilisation as a critical tool for achieving sustainable development in the education sector.
She noted that education remains the bedrock of societal growth, stressing that active community involvement is essential for the successful implementation of government educational policies and programmes.
According to her, the workshop was designed to strengthen the relationship between schools and their host communities, noting that effective mobilisation would help improve school enrollment, retention and completion rates, especially among vulnerable children.
Princess Bayo-Ilawole said Social Mobilisation Officers are expected to promote community participation in school activities, advocate increased school enrolment, strengthen School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs), and ensure accountability in the use of educational resources.
She identified major challenges confronting the education sector to include low enrolment, irregular attendance, high dropout rates, weak community ownership of schools and inadequate monitoring mechanisms.
The Permanent Secretary called for stronger collaboration, innovative approaches and renewed commitment from all stakeholders to address the challenges, urging participants to focus on practical solutions capable of making measurable impact at the grassroots level.
She expressed optimism that the workshop would inspire participants towards building a more inclusive and responsive basic education system in Ondo State.
In her goodwill message, the State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs Olanike Adams, described Social Mobilisation Officers as a vital link between government, schools and communities.
Represented by the Chief Administrative Officer of UBEC, Mr Aremu Ayodeji, she said the training was aimed at strengthening the capacity of officers to mobilise communities effectively, improve school enrolment and retention, and promote inclusive access to education.
She urged participants to maximise the opportunity to improve their mobilisation skills and strategies, stressing that effective community engagement remains key to sustainable progress in the education sector.
Earlier, the Director of Social Mobilisation, Mrs Olukemi Akinmoladun, explained that the workshop was not only for learning but also for reflection, experience-sharing and capacity strengthening.
She encouraged participants to deepen their understanding of their responsibilities as mobilisers, counsellors, advocates and mediators in managing school-community relationships.
Also speaking, a Professor of Educational Management at Adekunle Ajasin University, Prof. Ayeni Adeolu Joshua, said the training featured carefully selected topics aimed at equipping participants with advocacy, sensitisation and mobilisation skills needed for effective community engagement.
He added that participants were exposed to innovative strategies for improving Universal Basic Education enrolment campaigns and reducing the number of out-of-school children through collaboration among government, communities and development partners.
Prof. Ayeni also highlighted the importance of the newly introduced five per cent Matching Grant School-Based Management Committee component, noting that it was designed to strengthen community participation, accountability and effective management of basic education at the grassroots level.
Participants were urged to engage actively during the workshop and develop practical action plans that could be implemented in their various Local Government Education Areas.
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