The Benue State Commissioner of Education, Dr Saawuan Tarnongu, has assured that the State Government under Governor Samuel Ortom will address the challenge of inadequate Basic Education teachers before he exits office in 2023.
Dr Tarnongu disclosed this Friday when the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Comrade Joseph Utse, led Management of the board to pay him a congratulatory visit in his office.
The new Education Commissioner charged the available teachers to eschew laxity and put in their best to ensure productivity, stating that the ministry was taking steps to strengthen the payroll system of Basic Education teachers in order to determine the exact workforce for the welfare of those who are genuine and committed to service.
Dr Tarnongu also disclosed that the State Government had concluded plans to appoint a new Education Secretary for Kwande Local Government Education Authority and a new Accountant for Ogbadibo LGEA.
He appreciated the SUBEB Boss, management and staff of the Board for the cooperation given him while he held sway as Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education, acknowledging that their support had aided him to perform his duties effectively to the satisfaction of the Governor who was motivated to appoint him as Commissioner. He urged them to extend the same gesture to the new Adviser on Basic Education, Mr Mike Adyo, to improve the activities of SUBEB and Basic Education in the State.
Tarnongu reiterated Governor Ortom’s determination to handover a functional Basic Education to the next administration as evident in his frantic efforts towards surmounting various challenges affecting the sector.
According to him, the Governor’s efforts include timely payment of counterpart funds, massive construction and rehabilitation of schools among others.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Comrade Joseph Utse, expressed gratitude to Governor Ortom for appointing one of them, Dr Saawuan Tarnongu, to lead them and assured the Commissioner of the Board’s support to enable him excel in his new assignment.
He appealed to the Commissioner to hasten the process of appointing a new Education Secretary for Kwande LGEA to replace the retired Education Secretary. He equally requested the Commissioner to appoint an Accountant for Ogbadibo Local Government following the death of the Accountant which has made it difficult for salaries of teachers in the Local Government to be paid.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Margaret Ikpe, welcomed SUBEB management to the Ministry’s Headquarters and thanked them for the congratulatory visit.
In his closing remarks, SUBEB Secretary, Mr Agbo Ochekpe, appreciated the Commissioner and the entire staff of the Ministry for the warm reception accorded the Executive Chairman and his team.
