British High Commission inaugurates support for basic education in South-West
By Oluwakemi Oladipo
The British High Commission has launched a programme to support basic education within the South-West region of Nigeria.
The programme tagged “Partnership For Learning in Nigeria” (PLANE), is in collaboration with DAWN Commission and Seed Care and Support Foundation.
The Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr Jonny Baxter, at the inauguration of PLANE on Thursday in Lagos, said 95 million pounds had been allocated to the programme.
According to him, the programme has been implemented in Northern states in partnership with the Federal Government.
“We are working with them to support a more inclusive and effective basic education system by improving foundational skills for children.
“We are expanding PLANE’s footprint to Southwest Nigeria with two new work streams.
“Firstly, in collaboration with the DAWN commission and SeedCare Foundation to support the regulation and oversight of low-cost private schools, to enhance affordability and quality of basic education.
“Secondly, it will support Lagos State’s application to access a substantial new global partnership for education grant and help design a programme that improves access to inclusive education,” he said.
Baxter noted that since 2012, UK-funded programmes targeted at improving learning opportunities had reached eight million children across 11 states.
“Over half a million children in 5,000 schools across Lagos state benefited with quality education.
“This year, we have already initiated a new UK-funded girl’s education programme to assist over 44,000 young women.
“Two projects in Lagos are underway to support adolescent young women including those with disabilities with skills both employable and entrepreneurial,” he said.
Similarly, Mr Jamiu Alli-Balogun, Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, said the initiative would further improve the state’s commitment to education excellence.
Alli-Balogun, represented by Mr Abayomi Abolaji, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, said PLANE would assist in navigating the challenges of providing quality teaching and learning, as well as the required partnership.
“The desire of our team to foster a more inclusive and effective education system is expected to promote growth and serve as another window to attract positive impact in the education sector.
“Lagos remains a model to other states in Nigeria and we are ready to improve our strategy to remain the best in the country,” he said.
Also, Dr James Fadokun, Technical Lead, Governance of Non-State System, PLANE, said the initiative was a seven-year education programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Fadokun said that it aimed to support and realise the government of Nigeria’s commitment to deliver sustainable improvements in learning outcomes for all Nigerian children.
“Our work is to provide effective support and regulatory frameworks for low-cost private schools.
“PLANE seeks to tackle the identified challenges and build on previous FCDO efforts such as the Developing Effective Private Education in Nigeria (DEEPEN) programme,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Oluwafunke Ishola
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