UBEC: Retreating To Improve Basic Education in Nigeria, —- BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF.
The Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, under the leadership of Hamid Bobboyi had embarked on aggressive programs ranging from workshops, talk shops, seminars, symposiums among many other awareness programs not only to improve Basic Education in the country, but the need to amend it’s act since its inception in 2004, two decades after in line with the present realities, particularly at this computer age.
Therefore, the recent retreat organized between the stakeholders powered by the commission was another opportunity to chart a new course for the development of Basic Education especially with series of variables confronting the program in Nigeria.
The two day event which took place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital between Thursday March 7 and Friday March 8 was an eye opener to policy makers at all levels not to only sustain the present success recorded by UBEC, but to chart a new course towards the continuous development of Basic Education given the dynamics of the ever demanding program.
The complimentary program designed to galvanize both the in-house, local and international activities geared towards improving on the design of asymmetric policies been embarked upon by the commission, was a plus and a step in the right direction.
With its theme “Basic Education Implementation in Nigeria, Issues and Challenges and Way Forward” was with the conviction that once the decision taken at the crucial stakeholders meeting is implemented, Basic Education reforms in the country wilk be on a high pedestal.
The event not only attracted stakeholders in Basic Education from all walks of life, but presentation of papers by participants who were knowledgeable in their areas on the way forward, towards sustaining the existing success story recorded over the years.
The Minister of Education, Yusuf Sununu while addressing the August gathering restated the commitment of government to continue to churn out human resources that are charged with not only piloting Basic Education, but to also continue to save Basic Education in Nigeria.
He described human resources as a veritable tool towards the expected transformation of Basic Education, while commending UBEC for prioritizing human resources development.
While speaking at the event , the co-organisers of the epoch making occasion, and House Chairman on Basic Education and Services , Mr Mark Useni said the committee will ensure that every child assessed quality Basic Education using proper legislation in line with it’s mandate.
With a promise to create the enabling environment, issues like girl child education, out of school children OOSC among many others guaranteed by both local and international stakeholders will become a thing of the past.
Also representing the Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno , the Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom state Universal Basic Education Board, Aniete Etuk said the foundation of every child begins from the foundation, as the foundation to higher Education remained the Basic Education.
He assured the gathering of the continuous implementation of the program both at the state and local government to ensure smooth implementation of basic knowledge at sub national level.
Worried by the obsolete existence of it’s act for over two decades, the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Hamid Bobboyi advocated a wholistic review of the act after two decades, as many of the provisions of the act would have gone out of order , considering the variable and prevailing situations and the need for constant reforms.
He justified the need for the amendment of the act on the premise that alot of changes had taken place that desired more input by the commission in the administration of Basic Education, hence the continuous orientation and reorientation.
While expressing confidence in the continuous reforms of Basic Education, statistics has shown a favourable improvement in both the numbers of schools and enrollment into the basic education in the country.
Despite the recurring issues the Basic Education enrollment stood at 46M with it’s schools currently established across the country at 171,027 schools , while Basic Education school teachers stood at 1, 686, 536, with room for remarkable improvements when recommendation of the retreat is implemented.
