Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has commenced the State-Level Step-Down Training for Master Trainers under the Greening Schools and Climate Change Education Intervention (GSCCEI) 2024, reaffirming the state’s commitment to sustainable and climate-resilient education.
The training, held at the ASUBEB Board Room in Umuahia yesterday, brought together education stakeholders, environmental experts, development partners and participants from the 17 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) to strengthen the integration of climate change education and environmental sustainability into the basic education curriculum.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Ambassador Ezihe Lydia Onuoha, described climate change as one of the greatest challenges confronting humanity, stressing the need to transform schools into centres for raising environmentally conscious learners equipped with the knowledge and skills to protect the environment.
She said the GSCCEI initiative aligns with Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s AbiaFirst Education Programme, which seeks to reposition the state’s education sector through innovation, sustainability, technology and global best practices.
According to her, the governor’s sustained investment in quality education has created a strong foundation for programmes that prepare learners to respond to emerging global challenges, including climate change and environmental sustainability.
Ambassador Onuoha also commended the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Mrs. Aisha Garba, and the GSCCEI Technical Team for promoting environmentally sustainable schools across the country, while urging participants to make the most of the training and effectively transfer the knowledge to schools across Abia State.
Represented by the Academic Services Officer, Mr. Madumere Victor, the Executive Secretary of UBEC praised Governor Otti for the strides recorded in transforming education in the state and lauded ASUBEB for the effective implementation of UBEC programmes and interventions.
She explained that the GSCCEI is UBEC’s response to the growing global demand for climate-responsive education and is aligned with the National Education Sector Renewal Initiative as well as Nigeria’s commitment to the UNESCO Greening Education Partnership.
Mrs. Garba noted that the programme integrates climate change education, environmental sustainability, green skills and climate-resilient school practices into Nigeria’s basic education system, adding that comprehensive implementation guidelines and a handbook have been developed for use across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Also speaking, the Team Lead of the GSCCEI Technical Working Group and Lead Facilitator, Mr. Unyime Robinson, commended Governor Otti’s educational reforms, particularly the introduction of electric buses, describing the initiative as a practical demonstration of environmental sustainability.
He disclosed that the programme was launched simultaneously in Umuahia and Awka for the South-East geopolitical zone and would subsequently be implemented across the country.
According to him, the intervention is designed to equip teachers with climate-responsive teaching methods, promote the establishment of Green Schools and Climate Change Clubs, and raise a generation of environmentally responsible citizens.
In separate goodwill messages, the Director of School Services, Rev. Uchechi Sampson Mba, and the Agric Desk Officer, Mrs. Josephine Madumere, described the training as timely, saying it would equip teachers with practical strategies for integrating environmental sustainability into classroom teaching while strengthening school gardens and supporting food security initiatives in public basic schools.
The training featured presentations on the GSCCEI Implementation Guidelines and the Champion the Future handbook and was attended by Full-Time Board Member II, Deaconess Chioma Nwogwugwo; Chairman of the State School-Based Management Committee (SBMC), Chief Amaechi Ikeyirimba; representatives of UBEC, officials from the 17 LGEAs, development partners, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders.
