By Laide Akinboad, Abuja
In order to increase access to effective and inclusive basic education system in Federal Capital Territory, FCT, stakeholders in the sector on Thursday, have reiterated their commitment to step up advocacy for accountability and productivity in the system.
Most of the participants at the dialogue, tagged: Demand side-supply side stakeholders dialogue on UBE, organised by Youth Hub Africa, with support of USAID, called for increased intervention from government and private entities in the provision of basic education in FCT.
The participants include representatives of the Accountability For Good Governance in Education (AGGE) project cluster member organisations: Youth Hub Africa, FCT Universal Basic Education (UBEB), Nigerian Governors Forum, Budget and Planning, CODE, Palladium SCALE and civil society groups.
In his remarks, Mr. Auta Emmanuel from FCT UBEB, disclosed that as at last count, FCT has a total of 440 pre-primary schools, 751 primary schools and 199 junior secondary schools.
Auta added that there are available structures that pave way for effective involvement of stakeholders in the implementation of the basic education action plan in the FCT.
He however noted, that the rising influx of people into to Abuja have continued to outstretch the available learning facilities especially at the basic level across the Territory.
While commending the organisation for stepping up the quest for a better education in the society, the FCT-UBEB scribe reiterated the importance of effective basic education in the developmental process of any society.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Segun Medupin, Youth Hub Africa programmes Manager, on behalf Executive Director of the foundation, Rotimi Olawale said the focus of the dialogue on the basic education will have fruitful bearing on other aspects of the sector.
He explained that the AGGE project, running in 4 states and FCT is funded by USAID, to help tackle the current state of basic education in Nigeria and promote inclusivity in the developmental process.
He noted that the dialogue had the following objectives: create opportunity for stakeholders consuming education and those supplying to identify the problems and collectively proffer solutions through dialogue and increase knowledge and strengthen participants’ skills related policy and advocacy tools and approaches.
AGGE cluster with support from strengthening civic advocacy and local engagement, aimed at improving the standard of basic education.
Highlights of the Dialogue was questions, answers and contributions on the presentation AGGE project/results of needs assessment for FCT, Desk review on UBE act and procedures at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), desk review of UBE fund implementation in 5 states; and business of education: Supply side challenges and solutions.
