SAN FRANCISCO, September 09, (THEWILL) – The bid by the Federal Government to develop the education sector and further push the implementation of universal basic education in the country has received a boost.
Former British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, disclosed on Monday that Nigeria is to benefit from a pool of $500 million fund to boost educational development and serve as additional resources to support the efforts of government in achieving the goals of Education For All.
Gordon made the disclosure while speaking at the meeting of Coalition Interventions to Support Access and Quality of Education in Nigeria hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja.
His disclosure came on a day President Jonathan reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the effective implementation of policies and measures that will ensure that Nigerian youth receive qualitative education that will equip them with essential skills and competences required by employers.
According to Brown, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has made available $250 million for investment in education by the states.”
He added: ” What we have managed to do by talking to the individual agencies over the last few days is to match that $250 million by the additional $250 million making possible new investment of $500 million in education in Nigeria.”
His breakdown of the fund showed that the Global Partnership for Education and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have agreed to contribute $100 million each for the development of the universal basic education in the country.
The former British Prime Minister said the Federal Government, in collaboration with the state governments, have already pooled together $250 million for the development of education in the country.
“I believe that additional cash transfers for training, introduction of new technologies can now match the initiatives that have been taken by Mr. Dangote from the business community and other initiatives among five agencies,” he added.
Gordon stressed Nigeria stands to benefit from a seven-year term European Union (EU) grant that will be devoted to the development of education.
“I have talked to the head of the development commission for the European Union (EU) and he said he will tell the government of Nigeria to submit an application from time to time for the next seven years term will be devoted to education development in NIgeria. So, it’s up to the government to make the application,” he stated.
Gordon also added that he also sought further assistance on behalf of Nigeria from the head of Department for International Development (DFID) who “said that he will be happy to entertain new application for private support of additional cash transfers from the individual states and he will visit Nigeria in January and would want to meet states which are interested in moving this forward.”
Meanwhile, President Jonathan has assured that his Administration will continue to evolve and execute programmes and actions to improve access to quality education across the country in furtherance of its efforts to create a highly skilled and competitive work-force.
The President, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, gave the assurance while speaking with Brown, who now serves as the United Nations Special Envoy on Global Education.
Jonathan said in addition to providing the $250 million required to match the amount raised by the international donors towards giving more Nigerian youths access to basic education, the Federal Government will also provide all possible support to state governments to ensure that they are able to access the new funds and put them to appropriate use.
“Thank you for helping us in this area. Education is critical to making our youths more employable. The Coordinating Minister of the Economy/Finance and the Minister of Education will work with the states to make sure that the programme succeeds,” President Jonathan assured the former British Prime Minister.
Brown told the President that he had had a very productive meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy/Finance, Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, governors and state commissioners for education on international support for efforts to create greater access to educational opportunities for Nigerian youths.
He said the United Nations and international donors were committed to working with the Federal and State Governments to expand teacher training programmes, improve girl-child education and boost the use of the tools of modern technology such as e-books and tablets in providing basic education to more Nigerian youths.
Vice President Sambo,who spoke on behalf of President Jonathan, said the Federal Government has identified access and quality “as the two strategic goals of Nigerian education,” stressing that the government’s 4-Year Strategic Plan for the Education Sector: 2011-2015, “further enumerates the approaches to addressing the challenges in the sector.”
According to the President, “Within these frameworks, we have implemented a number of specific initiatives to improve access and reduce the number of out-of-school children, since the inception of this Administration. The Almajiri Education Programme was launched to increase access for the Almajiris or the less-privileged children and integrate the scheme into our basic education system.
“Today, 80 modern boarding and day schools have been completed and 45 others are in various stages of completion.”
He added that other programmes targeting girls, nomads, street children, as well as youths and adult illiterates “are also being vigorously implemented”. while the Technical and Vocational Education & Training (TVET) is also being promoted,” to provide skilled manpower for the nation’s industries.
Vice President Sambo said “ these efforts are yielding positive results, and attracting the right awareness and attention.
He also stressed that “access and quality, especially at the basic education level, is improving.”
Present at the occasion were the governors of Kogi, Captain Idris Wada; Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Delta, Emmanuel Uduaghan; Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo; Niger, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; Cross River, Liyel Imoke; and the deputy governors of Kano, Dr Abdullahi Ukmar Ganduje; and Ekiti, Prof. Modupe Adelabi .
