Oyo State Partners with UBEC to Enhance Literacy

Oyo State has initiated a partnership with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and a UK firm to enhance literacy in public schools. This initiative will commence with a six-day program starting on March 23, 2026, focusing on the Jolly Phonics approach, which is a globally recognized system designed to teach reading and writing through sound, action, stories, and songs.

The program is part of UBEC's Teacher Professional Development (TPD) initiative, aimed at improving classroom delivery and learning outcomes across public primary schools in the state. Dr.

Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), emphasized the importance of the Jolly Phonics method in significantly improving pupils' reading and writing abilities. The method employs a multi-sensory interactive approach that makes learning engaging and easier to grasp, thereby boosting teacher confidence and deepening classroom impact.

Gari Foxcroft, the Chief Executive Officer of the UK firm, highlighted the global acceptance of Jolly Phonics as a child-centered, results-driven system that has already contributed to measurable gains in reading skills among pupils in Oyo State.