Akure, Jan. 21, 2026 (NAN) The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has expressed satisfaction with the positive impacts of the Jolly Phonics programme on literacy development in public primary schools across the state.
The executive Chairman of SUBEB, Mr Victor Olabimtan, said this on Wednesday in Akure after the monitoring of the programme.
Olabimtan observed that the programme had significantly strengthened pupils’ foundational literacy skills, particularly in reading readiness, spelling, and pronunciation.
He said the improvement recorded was evident and reflected the effectiveness of the phonics-based teaching approach.
The chairman stated that pupils could now demonstrate a better understanding of letter sounds and word formation compared to the period before the introduction of Jolly Phonics.
According to him, many pupils are able to identify letter sounds correctly, blend words, and spell with greater ease.
He explained that the interactive nature of the Jolly Phonics methodology had made learning more engaging and enjoyable for young learners.
Olabimtan added that this had increased pupils’ attentiveness, participation, and overall comprehension during lessons.
On the sustainability and expansion of the programme, the SUBEB Chairman reaffirmed the board’s commitment to strengthening the initiative.
He promised that SUBEB would continue to organise regular training and retraining for teachers, provide relevant instructional materials, and intensify monitoring of the exercise across the state.
The chairman commended teachers for their dedication and effective delivery of phonics lessons, noting that their commitment played a major role in the success recorded so far.
He acknowledged their willingness to embrace innovative teaching methods aimed at improving learning outcomes.
Olabimtan also appreciated the contributions of development partners, particularly Jolly Phonics, for sponsoring and supporting spelling and pronunciation activities in schools.
He appealed to the organisation for extension of the programme to primary four and six across the state in order to further strengthen pupils’ literacy skills and enhance their global competitiveness.
Olabimtan also commended Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his consistent support for education.
He said that the government’s investment in programmes that promote early literacy reflects its commitment to human capital development and quality education.
The chairman called on teachers, parents, and school administrators to continue supporting phonics-based learning both in schools and at home, stressing that literacy remains the foundation of all learning and must be given sustained attention.
Also, the Permanent Secretary of the Board, Mr Adewale Omomowo, expressed appreciation to Jolly Phonics for its contributions to the sector in the state and Nigeria, describing the initiative as impactful and timely.
Similarly, the Director of Teachers’ Professional Development, Mrs Comfort Monilari, said the programme had helped pupils to identify letter sounds, spell correctly, and pronounce words effectively.
Monilari added that the skills would significantly support pupil academic progress and overall learning development. (NAN)
