Abia Government Begins Domestication of National School-based Management Policy

The Abia State Government has commenced the process of domesticating the National School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) policy to enhance educational governance and strengthen community involvement in schools.

The Executive Chairman, Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Lady Lydia Onuoha, disclosed this during the opening of an advocacy meeting and a three day workshop on the domestication of the School-Based Management Policy in Abia State.

The workshop, themed “Strengthening School-Based Management Committees for Improved Educational Governance in Abia State through the Domestication of the School-Based Management Policy,” was held at Benpac, Umuahia.

Lady Onuoha, emphasized that the workshop aims to develop an Abia State SBMC policy aligned with national standards while considering the peculiarities of the state.

She reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening community involvement in education and improving learning outcomes across Abia.

According to her, the domestication process seeks to foster a strong working relationship between schools and their host communities, encourage parental participation in their children’s education, ensure the security of school properties, and promote collaboration between parents, schools, and teachers.

She further pointed out that the workshop would facilitate the development of a framework for the domestication of the NSBMC policy in Abia State as well as marks a significant milestone in Abia State’s educational reforms, reinforcing the government’s dedication to inclusive and community-driven school governance.

Speaking, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Elder Goodluck Ubochi, represented by the Director of Inspectorate, Pastor Umunna Ijeoma, commended Governor Alex Chioma Otti, for his transformational leadership in education.

He also praised the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB for organizing the landmark domestication workshop to ensure community involvement in the education sector.

He urged the committee to expedite efforts to complete the Abia State SBMC policy document framework in the shortest possible time.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Uzor Nwachukwu, represented by Mrs. Ngozi Akpara, noted that the domestication policy framework would significantly enhance the relationship between schools and their respective communities.

Contributing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Christian Anokwuru represented by Mr Joshua Moses, stressed that the workshop would provide a roadmap for the domestication of the National SBMC Policy in Abia State, fostering a strong and productive relationship between schools and the communities.

On his part, the Policy Reforms Advisor and workshop facilitator, Jummai Sarki, and Abia Policy Innovation Centre, Researcher and workshop facilitator Mr. Joshua Ogbada, outlined the key objectives of the domestication process.

These include: increasing awareness of the benefits of school-based management policy domestication, enhancing commitment to integrating SBMC policies into operational frameworks. Clarifying the roles and responsibilities of school management committees, local education authorities, and the community in school governance.

Others are strengthening collaboration between schools, communities, and government institutions to improve educational service delivery. Developing a roadmap with practical steps, timelines, and responsible entities. Identifying funding sources and support mechanisms for effective implementation, establishing strategies for accountability and transparency and achieving consensus on institutional structures to support policy domestication.