...Says Viral Videos Politically Motivated To Blackmail, Discredit Govt.
…30% Of School Desks Destroyed By Host Communities
By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Following a viral videos of pupils learning while sitting on bare floor in some government schools in Delta state, the Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Hon. Barr. Samuel Mariere, has said described the videos as a mere blackmail of the state government, noting that in 2025 alone, the SUBEB constructed and distributed over 16,000 dual desks to primary schools across Delta State.
The board Chairman also added that other ministries and agencies also made provisions for additional desks to schools.
The SUBEB boss, also revealed that such interventions are separate from those provided by the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education through the constituency projects of members of the Delta State House of Assembly and support from corporate organisations, adding that the state government has made significant strides in improving educational infrastructures as against the picture painted in different Online newspapers and social media.
Reacting to the videos showing pupils of Eghereka Primary School, Ewu, and Asamana Primary School, Arhavwarien, both in Ughelli South Local Government Area, sitting on the bare floor, Mariere, stated that the board initially did not want to respond to such mischief, as it is a politically motivated action meant to discredit all the government is doing, but maintained that it became necessary to set the record straight and inform the public of ongoing interventions and progress achieved under the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
“A total of 234 new classrooms blocks has been constructed. 162 under the 2024 UBE Intervention Fund and 72 completed by the Delta State Government.
He said; “24 more classrooms are currently under construction and this have drastically reduced overcrowding, created safer learning spaces, and enhanced opportunities for increased enrolment across both rural and urban schools.”
Mariere further stated that the security and welfare facilities of both students and teachers have also been prioritized as about 22 perimeter fences and security houses have been built, while five renovated. He further disclosed that 164 VIP toilets have been installed, and five solar powered boreholes constructed.
“Teachers’ accommodation have also received a boost with 10 new staff quarters, while pupils benefitted from 16,834 new furniture units, 4,000 refurbished units, and 50 double bunk beds with foams to support boarding students.”
On the challenges facing some schools, Mariare, admitted that the needs assessment carried out by the Board revealed a persistent shortage of furniture across Delta’s 1,141 primary schools. He blamed the problem partly on the destruction and misuse of school furniture by local communities.
“About 30 percent of the existing furniture had to be replaced because they were either used for community events like burials and football matches and never returned, or were vandalized and sold by scavengers.”
To cushion the impact the board chairman disclosed, that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the immediate provision of 1,000 new seats to schools requiring urgent attention, and announced that another 16,000 dual desks will be produced and distributed under the 2025 UBE projects, with contract processes already underway and expected to be concluded before the end of the year.