BENIN CITY- Stakeholders in the education sector have called for increased access to the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Intervention Fund and the effective utilization of such funds by states across the country in order to provide quality education for all Nigerian children.
The stakeholders made the call in Benin City, yesterday, at a Civil Society Education Funds (CSEF) Step Down Workshop organized by the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA), a coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) involved in advocacy for the attainment of education for all in Nigeria.
Their call is coming a few weeks after the Edo State House of Assembly ratified the appointment of the states UBE Board which had hitherto made it impossible for the State Government to access the funds despite having paid their matching grant of over N2 billion.
While expressing optimism that the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole –led administration would fully implement the objectives of the UBE Scheme in schools across the state, they however enjoined the government to partner with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of educational related projects towards achieving the desired results.
Earlier in her remarks, the General Manager, LAPO Development Foundation (LDF), Mrs. Sabina Idowu -Osehobo, said every child deserved quality education that respects and promotes his or her right to dignity and optimum development.
Mrs. Idowu-Osehobo noted that the failure to actualize the objectives of the UBE Act by many state governments was tantamount to denying the children of one of their basic Human Rights.
According to her, “The UBE Act which was passed in May 2004 provided the legal framework for ensuring the right of the child to compulsory and free Universal Basic Education in Nigeria from primary school to Junior Secondary School 3. Pupils are not expected to pay any fee.
“Two per cent of the nations Consolidated Revenue Fund was set aside to finance the UBE
which would be complemented by the payment of Matching Grants by interested state governments,” she said.
She therefore enjoined the CSOs to contribute their quota to the UBE projects which are soon to be implemented and executed across the state, to improve the standard of education in Edo State.
|
