Civil Society Organisations Charge Government To Prioritise Education

The leadership of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, CSACEFA and the West African Civil Society of Nigeria, WACSOF have called on the Nigerian government to actualise their commitments and prioritise education, by taking necessary steps to curb the menace of Out-of-School children across the country.

The organisations also applauded government’s effort in increasing the education budget of the year 2023, since the inception of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration.

The organisations made it known in a statement jointly signed by CSACEFA Focal Person, Mr Abdullahi Sale and WACSOF, Education thematic lead, Mrs Rose Ashinse to mark the 2023 International Day of Education in Nigeria.

CSACEFA AND WASCOF further commended the government for the review process of the Universal Basic Education Act, thereby initiating the Alternate School Programme such as the ‘At Risk Children Programme’ and the numerous policy documents developed on gender, inclusive learning and introducing the use of mother tongue in schools.

“We however, look forward to the implementation of these policies and initiatives with a human face, prioritising education,” they said.

Speaking on the significance of the 2023 International Day of Education, CSACEFA and WACSOF said it jointly marked the day in Nigeria by analysing and sensitising policy makers and governments across the 3 tiers.

They further spoke on the importance of the theme in achieving national development and transformation of Nigeria.

According to the organisations, the day provided platform to sustain political mobilisation to advance SDG4.

“It will require national commitments and global initiatives, and step up public engagements in favour of education as the path to peace, sustainable development, and individual and collective well-being, while providing youth with a platform to present their initiatives and innovations to advance the right to education,” they stated.

The event further highlighted some of the most challenging crises facing education in the country and not peculiar to Nigeria such as issue of abduction facing schools and affecting retention of girls in schools.

“The insecurity facing schools across the nation is unfortunate. Many children are still in the hands of kidnappers who are demanding ransom,” it said.

The CSOs however called on Nigerian government to do more, we  to meet up with global commitment and tackle the increasing numbers of Out of School Children in Nigeria.

Call For Free Education

The members of CSACEFA and WACSOF lamented on the lip service paid to the issue of free and compulsory basic education as many schools still charge fees, which according to them has hindered children from accessing their fundamental human right.

The CSOs called on the government to look at the state of the schools and its facilities, explaining that most of them were in deplorable states, despite the interventions by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

CSACEFA and WACSOF demanded that curriculum for basic education be reviewed to reflect modern day realities and global demands.

“There must be a shift in the culture of recruiting unqualified personnel, delay in payments of emoluments and demoralisation of the system by lack of training.

The theme of the 2023 International Day of Education is, invest in people, prioritise education.”

This year called for maintaining strong political mobilisation around education and chart the way to translate commitments and global initiatives into action.

Lateefah Ibrahim