FG targets STEM, vocational education in new strategy

The Federal Government has introduced a new strategy focused on promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), enhancing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and raising the overall standard of education.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday while declaring open the stakeholders’ consultative dialogue on the Education Sector Renewal Initiative (ESRI) 2024–2027.

Alausa outlined the strategic goals, which include reducing the number of out-of-school children, addressing learning poverty, and enhancing skills development and human capital for the labour market.

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He noted the importance of integrating out-of-school children and the Almajiri system into formal education.

He added that this should be complemented by initiatives such as conditional cash transfers, school feeding programmes, and Social and Behavioral Change Communication (SBCC) to promote the education of girls and other vulnerable groups.

“As we all know, the education sector faces numerous challenges, ranging from infrastructural decay and funding issues to unreliable data collection, poor planning, inadequate teacher development, and the persistent issue of out-of-school children.

“We have one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world.

“As a ministry, we are committed to providing quality education to all Nigerians, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“This commitment aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” he said.

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Alausa also stressed the importance of strengthening governance and management within the education sector, which includes organizational reforms for relevant institutions.

He emphasized the need for enhanced oversight of programmes and sub-national implementation, alongside improved planning, resource allocation, tracking, research, and monitoring.

The Minister announced plans to develop a robust data architecture and strengthen the Education Management Information System (EMIS) to support better decision-making and accountability across the sector.

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On her part, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Ahmad, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing quality education in line with global standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ahmad noted that achieving these objectives would require collaboration with development partners, stakeholders, and the private sector.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the UN Children’s Fund, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the World Bank, the European Union, and others.