In what is perceived as a major stride toward enhancing education delivery, the Oyo State Gov, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde has praised the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), at 6-day intensive training workshop on the use of curated tablets and digital learning tools for School Support Officers (SSOs).
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Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the University of Ibadan Hotel, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, ably represented by the Special Adviser on Education Intervention, Honourable Oloye Suraj Abiodun Tiamy, emphasized that education reform depends not only on policy but on the people implementing it.
“SSOs are not mere observers but critical change agents in our classrooms and communities,” Governor Makinde said. “They are our eyes and ears on the ground, monitoring school attendance, evaluating teacher performance, supporting lesson delivery, and ensuring no child is left behind.”
The training forms part of the Better Education Services Delivery for All Additional Financing – Transforming Education Systems at State Level (BESDA AF-TESS) program, aimed at boosting foundational learning in Oyo, Adamawa, and Katsina States.
Governor Makinde highlighted the state's commitment to education reforms, including the recruitment of thousands of teachers, infrastructure development, teacher training, and the adoption of new innovations, with BESDA AF-TESS serving as a timely reinforcement to these efforts.
In his opening remarks, the SUBEB Chairman, Hon. Nureni Adeniran, represented by State Project Coordinator Mr. Teslim Fagbemi, described the workshop as a milestone in basic education development. He noted that the training offers a platform to upgrade the professional competence of education officers and integrate innovative strategies that align with global standards.
The National Program Coordinator of BESDA AF-TESS, Mr. Aleshin Olumayowa, stated that the training is a critical step in building strong institutional capacity for the implementation of Result Area 2, which targets improved teaching outcomes in the three focus states ; Oyo, Adamawa, and Katsina (OAK States).
He explained that BESDA AF-TESS is a four-year initiative funded by a $123.8 million grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), with the World Bank serving as the grant agent. The program, formerly managed by the Federal Ministry of Education, is now coordinated by UBEC across the OAK states.
Mr. Aleshin further noted that the training will introduce structured pedagogy programs built around digital and print-based self-study modules, coaching frameworks, and standardized formative assessments to improve learning outcomes.
A total of 116 participants , including 31 UBEC, SUBEB, and LGEA officers, along with 85 SSOs drawn from 33 local government areas of Oyo State, are expected to benefit from the training by the end of the 6-day workshop.
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