The failure of
state governors to prioritize basic education of their citizens has been
cited as one of the major causes of the fall in education standards in
most regions of Nigeria.
This was said by Mrs. Olufunso Owasanoye, the
Executive-Director, Human Development Initiative (HDI) during a
Community Stakeholders Sensitization Programme on Universal Basic
Education (UBE) program held recently at the Sickle Cell Foundation Hall
in Idi-Araba, Lagos State.
According to her, many state governors do not show
interest in funding basic education. She lamented the flat footedness of
these state governments in making efforts to access the UBE matching
grants mapped out by the federal government to support states towards
curbing the rate out-of-school children, and to provide quality
education.
“Two per cent of Nigeria’s Consolidated Revenue Fund is
dedicated to supporting states in providing quality education to
implement the UBE programme,” she said. The states are expected to
provide equal amount as counterpart fund in order to access the matching
grant, in accordance with Section 11 (2) of the UBE Act, 2004. But
sadly, many state governments seem uninterested to access the grants to
improve education in their state. And it shows how low they prioritize
basic education in their agenda.”
However, Owasanoye commended Lagos State for being
proactive in accessing the UBE grants, and also expending it on
improving infrastructure at the basic education centres. “Lagos State is
trying. They have even accessed the grant up to 2016, while we have
many states that have not even accessed the UBE grant at all since
inception.”
Explaining the concept behind the utilization of UBE funds
project, she said it was aimed at creating awareness on the UBE Act,
and provide education stakeholders in the commune with information about
their roles and responsibilities in achieving the objectives of the
UBE.
“The programme is to bring together community members and
stakeholders and sensitive them about the UBE, and to grow their
capacity at what they can do concerning education especially basic
education. Since they live in the community, they would be able to go
into schools to know what is going on.
“The feedback we get from the sensitization has been
amazing. Individuals in the community are happy and confident. They see
that they have a voice and are active participants in the quest to
enthrone quality standard of education.”
The programme which was a collaborative effort of the HDI
and the MacAuthur Foundation, witnessed over 200 representatives of
different schools in Mushin.
Impressed by the turn-out, Mushin Local Government
Education Secretary, Princess Olafioye applauded HDI for the program,
saying that it would reiterate the fact that achieving quality education
is a responsibility of all, not only the government. “Many parents
don’t show concern towards the education of their children. They believe
it is the responsibility of teachers and the government. So I am happy
at this sensitization drive. It would go on to tell our community
members that achieving quality education is the responsibility of all.”
According to her, many state governors do not show interest in funding basic education. She lamented the flat footedness of these state governments in making efforts to access the UBE matching grants mapped out by the federal government to support states towards curbing the rate out-of-school children, and to provide quality education. VMCE-A1 dumps
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