Delta SUBEB Urges Stronger Community Ownership of Schools for Improved Basic Education Outcomes

October 8, 2026

Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has called on stakeholders to strengthen community ownership of schools, promote accountability, and support School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) as part of efforts to improve learning outcomes, increase school enrolment, and ensure quality basic education delivery across the State.

The call was made at Ughelli during a two-day workshop organised by the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in collaboration with the State School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) for SBMC executives and SBMC Desk Officers from the 25 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) in the State, held on Wednesday 7 and Thursday 8 October 2026, and themed “Strengthening Community Ownership for Quality Basic Education Delivery Through Reforms“.

Speaking during the workshop, the Director of Social Mobilisation, Delta SUBEB, Mr. Felix Eghwujovwo, urged participants to translate the knowledge acquired into practical action in their various LGEAs, stressing that the ultimate goal of the training was to improve school outcomes.

“The overall intention of this training is to improve school outcomes, and if this training is taken judiciously and implemented in our various LGEAs, we will achieve better results in our schools and improve the quality of education for every child, especially out-of-school children,” he said.

Eghwujovwo described the School-Based Management Committee as a nationally recognised structure under the Universal Basic Education Programme that serves as a bridge between schools, communities and government, promoting transparency, accountability and community participation in education.

The director emphasised the importance of evidence-based planning, continuous feedback, collaborative problem-solving, mentoring and monitoring in strengthening functional SBMCs.

Also speaking, the State Chairman of the SBMC, Mr Sunday Okpare urged school heads and committee members to build stronger relationships with their host communities, noting that meaningful community participation begins with trust, mutual respect and continuous engagement.

“When the community understands that they have ownership of the school, they will support it and participate actively. To encourage community participation, you must build relationships. Visit them, communicate with them, work together with them, respect them, appreciate their contributions and cooperate with them,” he said.

Okpare further stressed that transparency and accountability in school administration would inspire greater community support while urging stakeholders to ensure that no child is denied access to education because of poverty or social circumstances.

In a goodwill message, the State Coordinator of the Delta State Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Mrs. Nzemeka Juliana, commended the roles of SUBEB and SBMCs in ensuring that communities actively participate in the development and effective management of schools.

She also appreciated the Delta State Government for its sustained commitment to strengthening basic education and expressed confidence that the workshop would deepen collaboration among stakeholders and contribute to improved learning outcomes across the State.

The workshop featured sessions on demystifying functional SBMCs—from structure to sustainability; understanding how effective SBMCs are developed; community entry, consultation and feedback mechanisms; resource mobilisation, managing money and community relations by SBMCs; feedback mechanisms, problem-solving and continuous improvement; and an overview of the revised SBMC operational manual.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to applying the knowledge gained in their respective LGEAs to strengthen school governance, deepen community ownership and improve learning outcomes across Delta State.