FG launches fresh initiatives to tackle basic education challenges

The Federal Government has announced plans to review and implement new initiatives to address challenges in primary education, including out-of-school children and ‘learning poverty.’

Specifically, the government pledged to focus on improving teacher quality, enhancing the school environment, and ensuring efficient governance. It also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local and state governments in achieving universal basic education.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaba Ahmad, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the opening ceremony of a nationwide training and sensitization workshop for the 774 local government Education Secretaries.

The event was organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Dr. Ahmad expressed enthusiasm for the training, which targeted education managers critical to the delivery of basic education within the framework of the Universal Basic Education programme.

She said: “As a matter of fact, the local governments have the constitutional responsibility for primary school education delivery. It, therefore, will serve a good end when we have trained, competent managers and effective supervisors at the local government level.

“As we are all aware, education ranks high on the priority list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as espoused in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“For us in the Federal Ministry of Education, we are analysing the critical issues at every level in the education sector with the plan to review and come up with new initiatives and strategies that will deliver results.

“There are ongoing programmes being implemented by different agencies under the Ministry of Education, which will require review, redirection, and proper coordination. For example, there is a Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education whose mandate is to reduce the number of school-age children who are not attending school.

“The ministry will continue to focus on and improve factors that impact quality education delivery, such as teacher quality, school environment, availability of instructional materials, efficient school governance, and supervision.”

Dr. Ahmad reminded the trainees that the success of the training “is only measured by the extent to which what is learned is taken back and applied to improve service delivery” in their respective offices.

On his part, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, explained that the workshop aimed to train and sensitise local government education secretaries.

He noted: “In the position they occupy today, they are the administrative and professional heads of the local government education authorities and are primarily expected to ensure that the primary schools in their domains are run efficiently.”

Bobboyi emphasised the need to strengthen transparency and accountability in fund management, ensuring that funds are used for their intended purposes.

He also assured the secretaries of continued UBEC support, particularly in training to enhance their knowledge and skills in educational management.