NATIONAL SBMC WORKSHOP HOLDS IN KANO, VALIDATES GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK TO STRENGTHEN BASIC EDUCATION

By JB Danlami

A two-day National School-Based Management Committees (NSBMCs) Workshop and Strategy Session on the theme “Governance Framework” was successfully held in Kano, bringing together national, regional, and state education stakeholders to strengthen grassroots education governance across Nigeria.

The training, which took place in Kano, was funded by PLANE with support from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and the Kano State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The workshop aimed at validating the NSBMC Governance Framework, building a shared understanding of SBMC roles across national, state, and local levels, and reaching agreement on coordination mechanisms, ethical standards, and accountability structures necessary for effective operations nationwide.

Delivering his goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of Kano SUBEB, Malam Yusuf Kabir, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening School-Based Management Committees as critical drivers of accountability and community participation in education.

He described governance as the backbone of a resilient and effective basic education system.

“While the SBMC mandate defines what must be done, a strong governance framework provides clarity on how it should be done effectively, transparently, and sustainably,” he stated.

He emphasized that good governance within SBMCs entails transparency in financial management, accountability to communities and government, inclusive stakeholder participation, and strict adherence to established operational guidelines.

The Chairman traced the origin of SBMCs to the 2005 approval by the National Council on Education, which directed states to institutionalize School-Based Management Committees in schools to enhance community participation, improve accountability, and strengthen learning outcomes.

Speaking at the strategy session, Farida Anka, representing UBEC, commended PLANE for its continued investment in strengthening basic education in Nigeria.

She noted that SBMCs remain vital platforms for promoting transparency, accountability, and ownership at the school level.

“The effectiveness of SBMCs across Nigeria depends largely on the strength and clarity of the national coordinating structure we are shaping here,” she said.

She reaffirmed UBEC’s commitment to ensuring that the validated governance framework aligns with national education policies and existing social mobilisation structures.

In his remarks, the National SBMC Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Wazirin Gwandu, described the Kano workshop as a significant milestone toward institutionalizing a credible and unified governance structure for SBMC operations nationwide.

He stressed that the validation process would strengthen coordination, ethical compliance, and accountability mechanisms across all levels.

Also speaking, the North West Coordinator and Kano State SBMC Chairman, Alhaji Tijjani Haladu Baraya, expressed appreciation to PLANE, UBEC, and Kano SUBEB for their collaborative support, noting that the strategic engagement would enhance effective coordination and improve service delivery in schools.

Participants described the Kano workshop as timely and strategic, noting that the agreed coordination, ethics, and accountability mechanisms would strengthen the credibility and sustainability of SBMC structures nationwide.

The workshop concluded with renewed commitment to building a more inclusive, transparent, and community-driven basic education system in Kano State and across Nigeria.