By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Hon. Abubakar Fulata, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on University Education has called for salary increment for primary, secondary and university teachers.

The chairman said the teachers should  earn N250,000, N500,000 and N1 million respectively as monthly renumeration.

Fulata was speaking at a One-Day National Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Development of a Roadmap for the Nigerian Education Sector (2023-2027), in Abuja on Thursday.

Fulata said that it is important for Nigerian teachers to be more encouraged by paying them adequately to teach the children.

He also stressed the need to translate all subject textbooks into local languages so as to catch up with the world.

According to him, efforts have been made by past administrations as regards the country’s education but those efforts had not yielded the  desired results.

“It is a thing of concern that from decades, several efforts on policies made by successive government to resuscitate and improve the education sector and those efforts have continued to create very little progress.

“All over the world, the subject of language of instruction has always been local language of those countries. If you go to the UK, education is taught in English, if you go to France, education from the basic level up to the tertiary level is taught in French.

“It is in Nigeria that you teach language of instruction in English. Our problem has always been that we are teaching our children subjects they ought to have been taught in their local language.

“All Mathematical, Physics, Chemistry textbook and what have you should be in our local languages. There is no way we can catch up with the world if we continue teaching our children in a foreign language.

“No primary school teacher should earn less than N250,000 in a month, no secondary school teacher should earn less than N500,000 and no university teacher should warn less than 1million in a month.

“The nation must declare a state of emergency in education. We must commit at least 25 per cent to 30 per cent of our national budget to education.

“It is high time we pay them adequately so that them can teach our children,” he said.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said that the ministry has great policies on papers but they are not meeting the needs of the people.

Mamman explained that the country’s education does not translate to the needs of the society, hence the need to critically have a roadmap that would translate to development.

He added that those roadmaps must however be implemented within the shortest timeline.

“President Bola Tinubu has charged the ministry to do all it can to reposition the sector.

” We have problems that has been militating the visions, missions and objectives on ground. We have great and fantastic policies but the issue is that our people are not seeing our problems addressed.

“We have institutions churning out graduates who are not employable and we cannot go on like this forever.

“So, in line with our President’s mandate, we must have a roadmap to guide the implementation of how to take the sector forward.

” The idea of the conference is to have a whole lot of time for implementation of our policies,” he said.

He charged participants to work within limited time so that Nigerians could begin to feel the impacts of the policies made within the timelines.

He pledged to engage state governments on the ministry’s crusade to move the sector forward.

In the same vein, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, emphasised the need to recognise gender mainstreaming in the roadmap so that Nigeria will have the benefit of a balanced education system.

“Education, you would all agree is one sector of development that Nigerians have been known to speak with one voice in terms of its importance to development.

“However, this recognition of its importance is yet to translate to tangible results that show that an educated person stands a better chance of living a fulfilled life.

“This disconnect, between purpose and reality, could be said to be responsible for inadequate attention to the sector, wrong perceptions of the relative importance of the different forms and types of education.

“Indeed, I must also say that the inability of our youths to gain employment after going through the rigors of academic may be responsible for a gradually building dis-interest in the pursuit of education,” he said.

Sununu, however, said this trend must be curtailed to make Nigerian education responsive to every day realities and beneficial to the individual as well as the nation. (NAN)(www nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Justina Auta

The Civitas Auxillium Foundation (CAF), an NGO, Wednesday, donated desks with chairs, books and writing materials to six schools inside Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Wasa District in the FCT.

The Chief Operations Officer and Founder of CAF, Mrs Elizabeth Duille, said the effort was part of the organisation’s “CAF-Kit a Child School Outreach Programme”, supported by Equipping the Needy Initiative, Abuja.

Duille said the initiative targets less privileged children, particularly those in IDP camps, to ensure they have access to quality education, educational materials to enable them to explore their potential and achieve their dreams.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the benefitting schools included Moving Star Academy, Tanzak Best Academy, Seat of Wisdom Academy, ECWA Zion Academy, Deseret Preston Academy and Well Bred Academy.

She said: “The aim of this organisation is to support vulnerable women and children, who have been victims of violent conflicts across Nigeria, and most of them reside in the IDP camps.

“There are over 5,000 IDPs residing in this camp.

“So, we selected six schools with an average of 800 pupils that we are currently working with.

“We identified their needs and discovered that there was no basic infrastructure in over 50 per cent of them.

“They have no chairs, schoolbooks to write and, of course, textbooks.”

According to Duille, the foundation provided wooden desks with attached chairs, 2,000 notebooks and kits of writing materials, including biros, pencils, erasers for the schools.

“Our aim is to ensure that they access quality education and learn in an environment that is conducive, where they can actually sit on desks rather than the floors to learn,” she said.

She further said that the organisation also supports women in IDP camps with training, loans and equipment to enable them to source a living and ensure smooth transition back into society.

“We empower women at the IDP camps to ensure that they begin to have their lives back.

“Some actually do have skills but do not have resources to start up anything financially to cater to their families.

“We believe that everyone should have the dignity of earning and the dignity of having to sustain himself or herself and their families.

“They can actually become able to move out of the camp and live in a society where there is dignity, where there is infrastructure and where they will not be having that stigma of saying we were in IDP camps,” Duille said.

A representative of Equipping the Needy Initiative, Mr Nathaniel Agu, reiterated their commitment to helping the needy, orphans and vulnerable groups in society.

“This will go a long way in putting smiles on the faces of these children and I urge the government and other stakeholders to support them to make Nigeria a better place,” Agu said.

Speaking on behalf of the schools, Mr Abdullahi Atiku of Tanzak Best Academy expressed appreciation to the foundation for its donation and efforts in ensuring that the less privileged students could also achieve academic excellence.

Atiku appealed to the State and Federal Governments and other well-meaning organisations to support schools in IDP camps to ensure that no child was left behind in accessing quality education.

Similarly, a parent, Mr Aliyu Haliru-Adamu, said the donated items would relieve them from the burden of spending their lean resources on such items for their children.

A student, Faith Yohanna, said: “This gesture will go a long way to help us learn in a more conducive environment.

“Most of us came from the North-East because of insecurity, so the books and other learning materials will help save our parents’ money and enable us to have the other things we need in school.” (NAN)

Edited by Sam Oditah

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has solicited an enabling law for private schools to grow the nation through education.

Speaking in Abuja at a Dinner/Award night to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Africa International College (AIC) and Africa Community School, Gowon said government alone could not provide support for every institution, but an enabling law would do a great deal for them.

The event which also featured a book launch, authored by the Executive Secretary of the School, Mrs Caroline Yakubu, has the theme: ”Celebrating Unlimited Grace.”

Gowon was represented at the occasion by his younger brother,  Dauda Gowon.

“The private schools are there to help the nation grow through education, not flashy education but education that builds, not education that destroys but education that helps the nation grow.

“Government cannot afford to support every institution because it is not practicable but they should make enabling laws that will not tie their hands from doing many things they should be able to do.

“For example, if they want to have an e-library, is it difficult or easy, if they want to have a good scientific laboratory, is it easy or is it difficult.

“In other words, if the equipments are not manufactured in Nigeria, will they have any problems at the ports, such things are the assistance I expect the government to give institutions like this,” he said.

He also called on the government to address the issue of multiple taxation on private schools, saying this could pose a challenge to the running of their institutions.

“Government should avoid multiple taxation on private institutions but ensure fair taxation.

“What this will lead to is that institutions will invariably put this burden of multiple taxation on the parents when fees are being made. So make tax easy and very open so that people will be happy if they are paying taxes,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the school, Mrs Caroline Yakubu, while speaking on the book titled: “‘Success Pathways’ meto stablish educational system,”  said dedication and consistency are key to success in life.

“The message basically is the fact that whatever you desire to do, when you are determined to do it, nothing can stop it.

“No matter the challenges because definitely if you want to succeed, you must be prepared to face the challenges but you also must be determined that whatever the road blocks are or that may present themselves as challenges you must be focused and determined,” she said.

Yakubu noted that the country needed quality education to grow every other sector and this would be achieved if the environment is conducive enough for investors to thrive.

“Quality education is expensive and the best the government can do for us, particularly private school owners is to create the enabling environment for us.

“They can also help us to access funds because we have a lot of needs that we are battling with as it were especially in terms of facilities, and the maintenance of the facilities.

“Whatever resources that we need, we will appreciate that the government come in no small measures to help us. Another thing that the government can do is to reduce the multiplicity of tax . It’s been a major problem for private school owners,” she said.

On security in schools, she called on stakeholders to come together to address this,  saying that security is not just the government business but the business of all. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Aminu Garko

The Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology,Wudil, has decried the dissolution of the institution’s governing council by Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.

This is contained in a statement issued by the chapter’s Chairperson, Dr.Aliyu Ahmad and Secretary, Dr.Mudassir Nasir, in Kano on Wednesday,

The union described as “inappropriate,” the dissolution of the council which was effected by the Gov. Yusuf, on May 29.

The union said it was dismayed over the continuous running of the institution, formerly known as Kano State University of Science and Technology, without a governing council, as a result of the dissolution.

It said the development was in breach and disregard of the provisions of the Kano State University of Science and Technology (Amendment) Law of 2017.

The union therefore called on the governor to, as a matter of urgency reconstitute the council “in order to avoid paralysing the university system.”

It also urged the state government to settle the outstanding entitlements of staff of the university.( NAN) ( www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed support for a call of a state of emergency in the education sector.

Speaking at the National Conference on the Learning Crisis in Nigeria in Abuja on Wednesday, the Chairman, NGF, Gov. Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kwara said resources must be provided for sustainable and promising education.

The conference, organised by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund, has the theme: “Scaling Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in Nigeria.”

Represented by the Vice Chairman of NGF, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Abdulrahman said education is in crisis and a state of emergency should be declared in the sector.

He stressed the need to remove all barriers such as gender, poverty, location, disabilities, language and ethnicity, that could hinder children from accessing foundational literacy and numeracy.

“We must follow UNESCO standard for education system that is progressive and sustainable, Governors at the various states must commit above 15 per cent above of our budget to education.

“I support the call for state of emergency but it must be backed by actions, the resources must be provided and we must look at issues that have mitigated against achieving that sustainable growth.

“It is one thing to declare a state of emergency but it’s another thing to put all the resources and elements that will allow us to achieve it.

“So I support putting the resources in place to allow us move fast at it. Our education is in crisis and a state of emergency should be declared in all the sector. We need solid roadmap and I believe it is a collective involvement,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said learning crisis had been a challenge the education sector is faced with which needs urgent solution.

“The consequences of learning crisis are far-reaching and profound as we risk widening the already significant education gap, perpetuating a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, diseases and stifling innovation and progress.

“Education is the cornerstone of societal progress and individual empowerment, yet the challenges we currently confront demand our immediate attention, dedication, and action.

“In recent years, Nigeria has been grappling with a severe learning crisis that hinders our youth from achieving their fullest potential.

“A significant portion of our school-aged population, especially those in underserved communities, face barriers to access quality

education.

“The factors contributing to this crisis are multifaceted and include inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortage, unequal

distribution of resources, outdated curricula, and socio-economic disparities,” he said.

Sununu said the country must rise to protect the potential and aspiration of the youths, saying they are the greatest asset and hope for a prosperous future.

He expressed the political will of President Bola Tinubu to raise education budgetary allocation from 8 per cent to 25 per cent in the next few years.

He said the gesture would be a major breakthrough in addressing the

learning crisis issues.

In the same vein, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, said the conference was from outcomes of UN General Assembly in September where countries were urged to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Munduate said this is to regain ground lost during the COVID-19 pandemic that saw unprecedented school closures globally.

“For Nigeria, convening a conference on the learning crisis is opportune as government defines its priorities for the education sector in the new Ministerial Strategic Plan (MSP).

“Just as Nigeria has galvanised significant support around the out-of-school problem, so too must it give attention to the learning crisis that is in fact fueling the out-of-school problem in Nigeria.

“Three out of four children in basic education in Nigeria cannot read with meaning or solve simple maths problems.

“When children fail to learn to read in the early years, they fail to read to learn in the subsequent years. Failure to learn begins to alienate children from the curriculum and their peers.

“This contributes to the staggering drop out rates each year between the first and last year of primary school,” she said.

She, therefore, called for serious attention to the learning crisis saying learning is not just important for education outcomes, it is key to finding a higher paying job, for achieving better health outcomes and for navigating community and social life.

Also, the Chief Education, UNICEF Nigeria, Saadha Panday-Soobrayan, said the learning crisis in Nigeria begins in early childhood education, saying only half of the children are developmentally on track in early childhood.

She said that learning gaps persist across the life course and most severe in the north part of the country.

According to her, by the end of grade nine, only 74 per cent of pupils demonstrate foundational literacy and 69 pee cent foundational numeracy.

She, therefore, said that all hands must be on deck to finding a lasting solution to the country’s learning crisis. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Uche Bibilari

The Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na’allah, says making right development choices as a nation is central to building and forming a modern nation.

Na’Allah expressed this view at the Third Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chair programme for Japanese Studies on Tuesday in Abuja.

The theme of the event was, “Making of Modern Japan.”

The vice chancellor said that the development choices Japan had made as a country formed what it had become as a modern nation.

He said that the Japanese model should serve as an example to Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

“It is important to have not only individuals as role models but also to have nations as role models.

“Japan economy has gone higher and stronger because of the kind of choices they have made in developing their country.

“Even in the face of economic challenges, Japan has not stopped growing economically; rather, it has strengthened it to move higher.”

Na’Allah said that in order to support learning and collaboration, the university attracted the Japanese Language and Culture Institute(JLCI) which thought Japanese culture.

“We have asked our students to learn Japanese as one of the foreign languages they must learn without which they will not graduate.

“We want our students to understand the spirit of Japan, which will enable them as future leaders to think and be prepared in order to move this nation forward.”

He called on the students to make use of all they would learn from the event to propel the kind of modernisation needed in Nigeria.

“It is important for you all as students to form this kind of leadership skills now and know more about your country.

“The opportunity you all have is the opportunity to develop these ideals; it is important to know that production and true patriotism to your country must be high.”

He said that Nigeria, with all its abundant resources, had the capacity to be the best in the world in terms of economic growth and even beat Japan that had the third largest economy.

According to him, UniAbuja has signed an MoU with two Japanese universities on some programmes such as students exchange.

He said that JICA had sponsored many students to Japan through the Japanese foundation.

The vice chancellor said that the institution was collaborating with Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry on training.

He added that no fewer than 200 students of UniAbuja were being trained by the chamber in order to equip them with the capacity to work with Japanese companies.

On his part, the Ambassador of Japan to Nigeria, Mr Matsunaga Kazuyoshi, said that the Japanese embassy had been supporting JLCI since it was established in 2021.

Kazuyoshi said the embassy promised to continue to actively support UniAbuja which served as a hub for the promotion of Japanese culture and language in Nigeria.

According to him, studying in Japan provides not only with expertise, but also offers Nigerians the opportunity to learn about the Japanese code of conduct such as diligence and punctuality.

He said that the Japanese Government had also provided opportunity to learn more about Japanese through scholarship.

“Many students who have completed their studies in Japan are now working with Nigeria Government and the university.

“We hope to see more of them work in Japanese companies in Nigeria in the future,” he said.

Similarly, Prof. Kitaoka Shinichi, Special Advisor to the President of JICA, in his lecture, highlighted all the struggles Japan went through to be where it was today.

He said that Japanese modernisation started in 1868 when there was revolution, adding that Japan changed from imperial rule to parliamentary rule.

Shinich said that Japan invested more on education and hard work which has helped their economy to grow to what it was today.

He said that Nigeria was in the position, with its rich resources, to bridge the gap and move from a developing country to a developed one.

According to him, Japan has continued to make waves in the automobile industry which is a major boost to its economy.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the highlights of the event were the presentation of more than 130 manga books to the institution by the ambassador and a cultural presentation by JLCI. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

===========
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has disowned the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) top-up programme claiming to bridge the gap between polytechnic and university degrees.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Saturday by the Acting Executive Secretary of the commission, Chris Maiyaki.

Recalls that for years, there have been calls from stakeholders to end the disparity between Higher National Diplomas (HND) offered by polytechnics and Bachelor degrees offered by universities.

This brought about a bill passed at the ninth National Assembly in 2021 to end the dichotomy but it was not signed into law by the last administration.

The NBTE which regulates technical and vocational education has unveiled what it describes as a one-year top-up programme which offers a platform for HND holders to level up towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

Maiyaki, however, called on the general public and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to note that the NUC is not a party to the top-up scheme.

“Even though agitation continues to grow for the abolition of the dichotomy in Nigeria, there is, at the moment, no law that has removed the dichotomy between a university degree and the HND.

“The place of technical education, the world over is unique.

“The university degree awarded by the Nigerian university system or any cognate institution is not the same as the HND awarded by polytechnics in Nigeria.

“In the Nigerian higher education space, the processes, contents and methods required for the acquisition of a university degree are substantially different from those needed for HND programmes,” he said.

He noted that at the post-graduate level, the requirements for admission into any masters degree programme for HND holders are, among others, the acquisition of a relevant postgraduate diploma (PGD) from a recognised university.

“The unsuspecting general public and all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies should note that the NUC is not a party to and, indeed, disavows the so-called top-up scheme, being concocted by the NBTE.

“In light of the above, the advice of the NUC is that the NBTE should focus on its core mandate and desist from introducing programmes outside its jurisdiction, and not supported by any law in Nigeria.

“The NUC wishes to inform the Management of the  NBTE and the general public that the “Bill for an Act to abolish and prohibit dichotomy and discrimination between First Degree and Higher National Diploma in the same Profession/Field for the Purpose of Employment, and for Related Matters.

“The bill passed by the 9th National Assembly in 2021, is yet to be assented to by Mr President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

” So, eventhough agitation continues to grow for the abolition of the dichotomy in Nigeria, there is, at the moment,  no law  that has removed the dichotomy between a university degree and the HND.

“Both the NUC Establishment Law (CAP N81, LFN, 2004) and its Operational Law: Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act, CAP E3 LFN, 2004) vest in the Commission the powers to superintend and regulate university education in Nigeria.

“Lay down minimum academic standards in the nation’s universities and other degree-awarding institutions, and accredit their programmes. Thus, the commission is the only constitutionally empowered regulatory agency for university education in Nigeria,” he said.

Maiyaki argued that in most higher education systems, polytechnics coexist side by side with universities for the purposes of producing critical human resources, based on their peculiarities and in tandem with the goals for which they were established. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Naomi Sharang

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Girls Beyond Reach Foundation popularly known as Daddy’s Girls has offered scholarships to girls resident in Angwan-Shao, Karimo, a slum in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Director Finance of the Foundation, Mrs Olamide Afolabi said that the gesture was part of activities to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oct. 11 each year is observed to support more opportunity for girls and increase awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.

Afolabi said that a total of N2 million in educational scholarships was awarded to these deserving candidates, ensuring they have the opportunity to pursue their dreams and overcome the socio-economic challenges that often hinder their progress.

She said that each girl was awarded N150, 000 per session over a period of four to five years depending on their course of study.

“We have seen a gap in the education of the girl-child and we are doing our best to fill up that gap.

“The scholarship is offered to three girls in Karimo, Abuja for now because that is how much money we can afford, we wouldn’t like to drop some along the way because of funds.

“Three of the girls would get N150, 000 per session and it would run for four years or five years based on their course of study.”

Director of Operations for the Foundation, Miss Temitope Omogbolagun said that the scholarship was pursuant to the Foundation’s commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.

She said: “According to UNICEF, in Nigeria, out of over 10 million children in Nigeria who are out of school, 60 percent of them are girls. This is the gap we are looking forward to bridge.

“Beyond that, we believe that education is the cornerstone of a brighter future. By investing in these girls, we are not only transforming their lives but also contributing to the progress of our society as a whole.”

Omogbolagun also explained that the selection process for the scholarship recipients was rigorous, with candidates undergoing assessments based on academic merit, leadership potential, and their commitment to community development.

“The three young girls, including a physically challenged ambitious lady who emerged as the chosen beneficiaries, demonstrated exceptional promise and a clear dedication to overcoming adversity.”

“Aside from this scholarship, we also have a mentorship programme with a robust curriculum that cuts across different areas of life, all these represent a significant stride towards achieving their vision of an inclusive and empowered society.”

Similarly, Director of Mentoring, Mrs Tomisin Latinwo said that the Foundation would continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to creating lasting impact in the lives of disadvantaged individuals.

She said: “As these three determined young women and the ones who are already on our scholarship and mentoring scheme embark on their educational journey, we believe that they serve as beacons of hope for countless others in similar circumstances.

“With the right support, barriers can be overcome and dreams can be realized.

“Daddy’s Girls has set a commendable example for philanthropy and empowerment, demonstrating that every investment in education is an investment in a brighter future for all.

“We hope that other
non-governmental organisation would follow suit because we believe that together we can.”(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza