Tina Amanda
Parents, guardians, and local and state governments have been urged to ensure every child in the state is provided with free compulsory universal primary education to achieve equal access to education for all policies.
Director, Social Mobilisation Department, state universal basic education board (SUBEB) Rivers State, Dr Nwafor Bestman, stated this in his paper presentation Titled: “Education 2030, Assessment of the Concept of Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education in Rivers State” at a stakeholders education forum Organised by Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for all (CSACEFA) in Port Harcourt.
Dr Bestman, who was represented by a staff of the board, Taneh Nuka, said the policies guiding the SUBEB Law are not being implemented as most children in the state still roam the streets during school hours, adding that some parents do not make any effort to send their children to school.
He emphasised that every child must transition from primary to junior secondary and receive full-time education suitable to their age, sex, ability and aptitude by regular attendance at school.
“Every Government in Nigeria shall provide free, compulsory and universal basic education for every child of primary and junior secondary school age. Every parent shall ensure that their child or ward attends and
Completes their: – (a) ECCDE (b) Primary School Education (c) Junior
School Education by endeavouring to send the child to school.
“The stakeholders on education at the Local Government levels shall ensure that every parent complies with the above schedule of section 2(2) of the Act. Free educational services include books for core subjects, tuition, instructional materials, mid-day meal, etc. Children must transition automatically from primary to junior secondary.
“UBE aimed to provide free, Compulsory and universal education to every Nigerian child of school-going age. The practical implementation of this strategy will provide opportunity and access for every Nigerian child to be educated.
“However, this strategy has not been adequately implemented as many parents are being observed paying fees to most junior secondary school students, including registration for the essential certificate examination.
“No matter how polished and well intended an educational policy may be, the realisation of its goals depends largely on the availability of facilities to implement its programmes. Therefore, the successful evaluation of any programme, especially educational programmes, is hinged mainly on the availability of the necessary facilities.
“Concerning UBE programme. The government’s need to provide infrastructure was clearly stated in the UBE implementation blueprint. The purpose was to ensure adequate classrooms, libraries, buildings, laboratories and other materials for effective teaching and learning.
“The effective implementation of this strategy is highly questionable, especially given that many primary schools are utilising dilapidated and worn-out buildings. In River State, many public secondary and primary schools lack facilities, adequate classrooms, laboratories, etc.
“Not only in rural schools can this be seen; it is a commonplace even in urban areas like Bori, some parts of Port Harcourt Municipal/ Obio/Akpor and Eleme. In one study, it was noted that there are infrastructures which were provided to be able to deliver basic education to Nigerians; however, like any other resources, like books and other learning materials, they are insufficient to meet the goals of the program, and to ensure access by everyone”.
“In his presentation, the Zonal Director, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Dr Kaldick-Jamabo, said the Ministry of Education is one of the nine (9) critical ministries in the civil service both in the state and at the Federal level. He further stated that the ministry carries out numerous responsibilities through boards, parastatals, departments, units and desks.
He urged CSACEFA and other organisations to sustain their advocacy pressure with follow-ups beyond the advocacy visits, identifying areas for government intervention and making inputs into policies that would help tackle the identified gaps, which can be more impactful.
Dr Kaldick-Jamabo said he would partner with CSACEFA Rivers and others interested in advancing education, noting that everything about education is systemic.
State Coordinator Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, Stella Smith Ibekwe urged the incoming government of Rivers State to prioritise education, noting that every child has the right to good quality and accessible education as it is an offence to deprive any child.
“Government is the key stakeholder; we must continue to engage with government. Our call from this meeting is for the incoming Rivers State government to prioritise education; education must be on the front burner.
“Counterpart funding for the different interventions has to be provided and released to the relevant agencies to do the work they are meant for; there should be continuous monitoring and evaluation. As Civil Society, we will continue to push for it; we will be part of it, monitoring and ensuring that things are done not on paper but on the ground.
