The Civil Society Action Coalition for All ,CSACEFA, has commended the Nigerian government for the steps taken so far in addressing the issue of Out of out-of-school children (OOSC) by allocating higher budgets for the Education Sector.
The Focal Person of the group in the Federal Capital Territory, Abdullahi Sale stated this in a statement issued to mark the 2024 International Education Day with the theme “Learning for Lasting Peace.”
He also appreciated the government for calling on all trained teachers to leave the offices and resume in schools as well as bringing reforms to the sector through the loan scheme for students.
The Nigerian government had increased budget allocation to the Education sector to 25 percent in the 2024 fiscal year.
Similarly, a student loan scheme has been introduced to ease family expenditure on their wards in tertiary institutions
Sale said; “We however call for concerted effort in the implementation of these policies to curb the menace of OOSC in the country and bring to the barest minimum the insecurity faced.
“Judicious use of budgetary allocation to the Education Sector is quite important as the public will want to get value for money in the execution of public works.”
The group expressed displeasure over lack of infrastructures in some schools and welfare of teachers, especially the lingering teacher’s strike which keeps children at home for not meeting some of their dire needs, which includes payment of outstanding allowances.
They also decried the poor state of infrastructure in some schools in the FCT and levies being charged in some public schools despite extant laws such as the UBE Act. The Act which states that “education is free,and the levies deprive those who cannot afford the opportunity of accessing education.”
“The security situation in the country which has left several children in the hands of bandits, kidnappers, and evil men is unacceptable and must be tackled.
“There is a strong concern about the quality of students we are producing. Government should recruit qualified personnel and train them as often as possible,” he said.
The group call on the government to use this event marking the International Day of Education to reflect on the state of the sector and rise to the occasion if Nigeria has to take its place of pride in the committee of nations.
The group also suggested that government should look into cases of criminality, violent conflicts, xenophobia and hate speech as they affect the country.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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