The Nigerian Senate is set to initiate legislative educational policies that would ensure total revamp of the education sector in Nigeria.
Senate President, David Mark, stated this at the first conference of National and State Assembly Committees on Education organized by the Senate Committee on Education.
David Mark, who was represented by the Senate Minority leader, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, said it was imperative that particular attention be paid to the country’s education sector which, according to him, is in serious need of transformation.
“The incessant industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian universities has had huge impact on the country’s education system and there is need for the senate to initiate legislative solutions to the problem.
“Issues of educational development have been priority of government and it has called for comprehensive and sustainable policies that will deliver good standards, decent environment and cost effectiveness.” He said. He said that the nation should evolve a policy of keeping all children on school to minimize most of the societal problems such as militancy, terrorism, insurgency, prostitution and ignorance plaguing the country.
“Issues of educational development have been priority of government and it has called for comprehensive and sustainable policies that will deliver good standards, decent environment and cost effectiveness.” He said. He said that the nation should evolve a policy of keeping all children on school to minimize most of the societal problems such as militancy, terrorism, insurgency, prostitution and ignorance plaguing the country.
He, however, called on the federal government and ASUU to urgently come to an agreement to call off the 84 days’ old strike.
Also Speaking, the Chairman Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chuwkumerije, stated that Poor funding and inconsistent policies have been identified as the two major challenges facing the Nigeria education sector.
According to him, the educational values of the nation degenerated in the 19th century, affecting the entire school system. Chuwkumerije noted that over ten million children of school age, drop out while Nigerian students emigrate in educational institutions across the countries.
He, however, stressed that the is need for a harmonized appreciation of the challenges of the sector among the national and state legislators.
Also speaking at the conference, the Minister of Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, in his address identified the two strategic goals of Nigerian education as Access and quality.
Barrister Wike noted that the focus on girls education in Northern Nigeria and boy child education in the South-East were the key policy initiatives aimed at encouraging enrolment in Nigeria basic education system.
The two-day conference of national and state assembly education committees had as its theme: ‘Transforming Nigeria’s education sector, the legislative agenda’.
“Over 7000 lecturers from universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education have therefore been sponsored for training in Nigeria and overseas. The first beneficiaries of the Presidential Scholarship on innovation and development have also started their studies. It is believed that this group will add to the development of top-rated Nigerians for industries and the academia”, Wike said.
“Over 7000 lecturers from universities, polytechnics and Colleges of Education have therefore been sponsored for training in Nigeria and overseas. The first beneficiaries of the Presidential Scholarship on innovation and development have also started their studies. It is believed that this group will add to the development of top-rated Nigerians for industries and the academia”, Wike said.
The Minister commended the Legislatures role in the quest to transform the nation’s education sector, pointing out that the Assembly has been consistent partners in progress, always supporting the Federal Government in diverse ways.
He said: “The fact that the appropriation for education has increased by almost 100percent in the past three years could be said to be a testament of the cooperation between the Executive and the Legislature in the drive to promote quality education”.
In a chat with Newsmen, shortly after the conference, the Member Representing Ukanafun State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly; Hon. (Elder) Aniekan Akpan lauded the Senate Committee on Education, vis a vis, the National Assembly for their initiative, describing the event as necessary and timely. Hon. Akpan who was a participant said salient issues aimed at transforming the sector were raised.
“It was a worthwhile experience, it was an opportunity to come together and brainstorm on the way forward.” He said.
He called on the Federal Government and ASUU to seek ways to end the incessant strike actions, arguing that the intermittent face-offs has led to irregular school calendar which he says hinders learning process. The Ukanafun born lawmaker aligned himself with the communique of the joint conference.
The recommendations include; creating a monitoring system, reformed curriculum content, harmonizing powers of accreditation of NUC and other bodies, improved teaching technique and an upward review of financial and physical requirement for setting up private universities, amongst others.
They also called for legislative action in the following areas; legal framework on minimum standards on educational financing, criminalizing the setting up and operation of illegal university, polytechnics and colleges of education, etc.
The conference also adopted the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije as Chairman and the Chairman House of Representative Committee on Education; Hon. Aminu Suleiman as Vice Chairman, as well as 6 zonal coordinators.
No comments:
Post a Comment