Delta State Government says it has taken steps to address the infrastructure gap in its schools across the state.
The Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Hon Samuel Mariere stated this in Asaba while briefing newsmen on a trending report where some pupils were seen sitting on the floor at Eghreka Primary School, Ewu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the State.
While dismissing the report as a calculated attempt to portray the government in bad light, Mariere hinted that the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board had distributed over 16,000 dual Desks to schools across the stateHe said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had graciously approved the provision of 1000 seats immediately to schools that need urgent attention.
According to Mariere , over 16,000 dual seats are being planned to be provided from the 2025 UBE projects.
He stated, ”From the Need Assessment recently carried out by the Board, it is true that some of the schools are in need more Furniture to actually cater for the 1,141 Primary Schools in the. State. Out of this figure, 30% is to be reprovided as a result of destruction by members of the community where these schools are located.”
In some cases, these seats are brought for use during burials and football matches and are never returned to the classrooms after use thereby exposing them to theft, rain and harsh weather while in some cases these Furniture are maliciously destroyed to make money by selling the iron frames of the seats to scavengers (iron condemn).
Mariere stated further, ”In terms of infrastructure, 234 new classrooms were constructed, comprising 162 delivered by Delta SUBEB under the 2024 UBE Intervention Fund and 72 completed by the Delta State Government (DSTG)”
n addition, the DSTG has 24 classrooms still under construction as at the end of the reporting period.
These interventions substantially reduced congestion, provided safer and more conducive environments for learning, and opened opportunities for enrolment expansion in both rural and urban schools”The Delta State SUBEB Executive Chairman hinted that security and welfare facilities were also prioritized with the construction of 22 perimeter block walls and gate houses, as well as the renovation of five others.Mariere said, ”Also provided were 164 VIP toilets, and the construction of five solar-powered boreholes.
Teachers’ accommodation received attention with the delivery of 10 staff quarters, while learners benefitted from the supply of 16,834 units of furniture, maintenance of an additional 4,000 units, and the provision of 50 double bunk beds and 50 foams to support boarding arrangements”Meanwhile, the Delta SUBEB Chairman said arrangements had been made for the commencement of Basic Schools Sports as from 9th October, 2025.
He said the Basic Schools Sports competition was being organized by the Delta State Government in collaboration with Universal Basic Education Commission in centres across the 25 LGAs of the state, with the grand finale slated for 22nd October, 2025 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
