NASU laments inadequate education, health funding

There meagre budgetary allocation to education and health by the three tiers of government is not enough to drive the technological advancement of Nigeria, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has said. 
 
The Schools and Colleges Trade Group Council of NASU stated this in a communiqué issued at the end of its regular meeting, which took place in Lokoja, Kogi State. 

The communiqué, which was signed by Deputy President/Chairman, Schools and Colleges, Haruna Kamara; and Senior Deputy General Secretary, A.G. Mohammed, noted that successive governments had not allocated enough resources to the social sector. 

It argued that ignoring adequate funding of education was the cause of many crises, such as increasing cases of out-of-school children, school dropouts and mass failure in examinations. 
 
It called on federal, state and local governments to scale up their funding for the sector, saying: “In addition to increasing budgetary allocation to education, make the inspectorate departments of their education ministries more effective and efficient for maximum output.”

It also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approving a special salary package for teachers and extending the service period to 65 years, to enhance teaching and learning in the country.   

The trade group urged the President to approve the inclusion of the non-teaching staff whose services complement that of teachers in the new compensation package, as they are essential stakeholders in the education industry. 

The group described the recent hike in the pump price of petrol as insensitive to the plights of the masses. It argued that the excuses by the government fuel were not tenable. 
 
It called on President Buhari to come up with reliable palliative measures to cushion the negative effect of the increased petrol pump price on the generality of Nigerians, in the interest of poverty alleviation. 

While the group commended some state governments that have since accommodated NASU representation in the legislations establishing their Universal Basic Education and Post-Primary School Boards/Commissions, it urged those who are yet to do so to take immediate action towards addressing the issue in the interest of fair labour practices.