British Deputy High Commissioner lauds PLANE Southwest launch

The Deputy British High Commissioner and the PS Ministry of Education

British Deputy High Commissioner, John Baxter, has described the launch of the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria (PLANE) in the country’s Southwest region as a sign of good things to come in the educational sector.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos on Thursday, Baxter stated that the British government has allocated £90 million to ensure the smooth running of PLANE in collaboration with the DAWN Commission and Seed Care and Support Foundation, after spending £11 million in 11 states.

Baxter assured that the British High Commission will be supporting Lagos State to help design a programme for easy access to education in the state and, more importantly, support inclusive and effective basic education by improving the foundational skills of children.

“We’re expanding PLANE’s footprint to Southwest Nigeria with two new work streams.

“Firstly, in collaboration with DAWN Commission and Seed Care Foundation to support the regulation and oversight of low-cost private schools to enhance affordability and quality of basic education.

“Secondly, it will support Lagos State’s application to access a substantial global partnership for education grants and help design a programme that improves easy access to inclusive education.

“Over half a million children in 5,000 schools across Lagos State have benefited from this quality education with special attention geared towards girls’ education.

“This year, we have already initiated a new UK-funded girls’ education programme to support over 44,000 young women,” Baxter stressed.

He revealed that two projects are already underway in Lagos to equip adolescent young women with disabilities with basic skills to open them up for employment and entrepreneurship.

Technical Lead, Governance of Non-State Systems, PLANE, Dr. James Fatokun, in a keynote address, showered encomium on the seven-year programme that is single-handedly funded by the British government, pointing out that the programme has led to sustainable improvements in Nigeria’s basic educational system.

“PLANE seeks to tackle the challenges of basic education in Nigeria and build on previous FCDO efforts through the Developing Effective Private Education in Nigeria (DEEPEN) programme,” he said.