Mariere Charges Teachers on Commitment as Delta SUBEB Flags Off 5-Day SMASE Training
October 23, 2025
The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere, has called on primary school teachers across the state to show greater commitment and dedication, noting that the survival of the basic education sector lies in their hands.
Mariere made the call while declaring open a 5-day capacity building workshop on Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) In-Service Education and Training (INSET) for 200 newly employed primary school teachers drawn from the 25 local government areas of Delta State.
According to the SUBEB Chairman, the workshop was organised to strengthen the basic education system and improve teaching and learning outcomes across public primary schools in the State. He affirmed that the State Government is determined to change the narrative of public schools through reforms that make lessons more engaging and practical for pupils.
“The future of basic education in Delta State rests in your hands as teachers,” Mariere said. “If you teachers are committed, dedicated, and innovative, there is no doubt that we will raise a generation of pupils who can compete globally.”
Mariere further disclosed that the present administration under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is introducing key reforms such as the reshuffling of teachers and the adoption of digital learning tools to make teachers more proactive and effective in their classrooms.
In her remarks, the Director of Teacher Development, Mrs. Ezefili, described SMASE as a paradigm shift in the teaching and learning of mathematics and science. She explained that the initiative — a collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) — is aimed at improving teachers’ attitudes and instructional skills through facilitation, group work, hands on activities and the ASEI – PDSI approach.
She added that the SMASE Cycle 1 INSET is a specialized training aimed at promoting positive attitudes to improve the study of mathematics and science. The SMASE participants, after this training, will serve as facilitators to train other teachers across the state, thereby multiplying the impact and transforming classroom practices to enhance pupils’ learning experiences. She also noted that a few private school teachers were in attendance, underscoring the inclusive nature of the initiative.
The Education Secretary of Ughelli North Local Government Education Authority, Pius Omubaye JP, urged the participants to take the training seriously, emphasizing that communities at the grassroots level are eager to see a positive change in teachers’ attitudes toward mathematics and science.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion were the SMASE National Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Mr. Olatubosun Ajagbe; the National Trainer, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Kaduna, Yahaya Rigachikun; and the State Coordinator, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mrs. Sharon Dafiluelo.
The participants expressed their gratitude to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his continuous support for the education sector through the M.O.R.E Agenda, assuring that the knowledge and skills they will gain from the training will reflect interest the classroom and lead to improved learning outcomes for pupils across Delta State.