UNICEF on Friday gave a cheque of N250,000 to each of the 108 School-Based Management Committees (SBMC) saddled with the responsibility of managing and monitoring schools in their various communities in Bauchi State, bringing the total amount to N27 million.
Dr Abdulai Kaikai, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in the state, said on the occasion that the the effort was to support social and education development in the area.
Kaikai explained that the amount was to assist the committees to execute various action plans which they had submitted through the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
He said that supporting the committees became imperative in view of their prominent role in maintaining standards through close monitoring of schools in the communities.
“SBMC serves as the link between governments, SUBEB, NGOs and other stakeholders at the basic level. They also serve as the voice of the communities.
“For us to achieve our mandate of supporting social development through various interventions to boost children education especially the girl-child, it became mandatory to work with these committees and give them all the needed support.”
He commended the Gov Isa Yuguda-led administration for dedicating 26 per cent of the state budget to education.
Kaikai pledged UNICEF’s continued partnership with the state government to properly reposition the health and education sectors, with a view to attaining the MDGs goal of Education for All and reduce child mortality rate through improved healthcare service
Alhaji Abdullahi Dabo, the state Executive Chairman, SUBEB, thanked UNICEF for the gesture and advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money.
He said that the board would strictly monitor the committees’ activities, to ensure that the amount was put to proper and judicious use.
“If you use the money judiciously, we will continue to receive such support from UNICEF, but if you embezzle it or misappropriate it, you should be sure UNICEF would withdraw its support,” Dabo told the committees.
Responding, Malam Abdulhi Mohammed, the Secretary, SBMC, Upper Basic Junior Secondary School, Nabordo , Toro Local Government Council, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, commended UNICEF for the gesture.
He assured officials of UNICEF and SUBEB that they would do their best to execute the action plans for which the money was provided.
He further pledged the committees’ readiness to fulfil their mandate in ensuring that schools were properly monitored in order to achieve improved standard. (NAN)
