Edo State Universal Basic Education Board on Friday 7th of December 2018, held an Appreciation Banquet for field officers; Social Mobilization Officers (SMOs), Learning & Development Officers (LDOs) and Quality Assurance Officers (QAOs). The event was also an opportunity for the field officers to share their experiences in the field, backed by relevant empirical and anecdotal data.
During their presentation, it was reported that the 106 SMOs have visited 607 Edo BEST school-communities to sensitize and train 11,382 School Based Management Committee (SBMC) members who have been trained in 202 clusters across the three senatorial districts over a period of three weeks. Approximately, 612 SBMCs were reconstituted to make them more functional and ensure community participation in the administration of public primary schools.
The 54 LDOs reported that they visited 472 Edo BEST schools from Monday to Thursday spending 6hours 15minutes daily to train, mentor and coach teachers on the use of the Edo BEST pedagogy. They also spend eight hours daily every Friday for Professional Development Training. The Quality Assurance Officers throughout the first term academic session visited 538 Edo BEST schools, spending 30minutes each in a classroom to monitor and evaluate the use of Edo BEST pedagogy in schools and also take school inventory.
The guest of honour at the Event was Governor Obaseki who reassured the field officers that they will be provided with the necessary support like transportation stipends and life jackets to ensure safe travel in the riverine areas.
According to the Executive Chairman of Edo SUBEB Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, “in order to sustain Edo BEST, it is important that we develop an elite group of well trained, highly motivated and intellectually sound and professional Field Officers who can add value and ensure the success and sustainability of Edo BEST. Field Officers were formerly classroom teachers. The selection process was rigorous. Each applicant had to pass several stages of interviews culminating in both an intellectual and behavioural assessment. A minimum pass mark of 75% was required for candidates to advance to the next level of the selection process.”
On their own, the Field Officers were elated by the recognition accorded them and pledged to work even harder.
Photo caption: His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Commissioner for Education; Hon. Emmanuel Agbale, Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs; Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo, Executive Chairman SUBEB Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe and Boards Members, Education Secretaries, SUBEB Staff, Field Officers; Social Mobilization Officers, Learning & Development Officers and Quality Assurance Officers.
