Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
A Non-governmental Organization in Kebbi State, Women’s Right Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) has demanded the Kebbi State government to increase education budget allocation by 5 percent every year.
The appeal was made during the commemoration of the international day of education by WRAPA Executive Director, Comrade Nasiru Idris while delivering his speech at a courtesy visit to the Kebbi state government in Birnin Kebbi.
According to Nasiru Idris, he said the right to basic education is a fundamental human right recognized in the universal declaration of human rights ( 1948) and in the UN Convention on the rights of the child (CRC), which was ratified by Nigeria in 1991.
He said that the education sector in Nigeria faces numerous challenges such as inadequate funding and lack of transparency and accountability in the sector. The universal Basic Education Act (2004) was there for a good way to bridge the funding gap by ensuring a provision of 2 percent funding from the consolidated revenue of the national government to be shared at 50 percent counterpart funding by the states and the federal government provide a 50 percent matching grant, and the 36 states including FCT to benefit from the grant on an equal basis.
The Executive Director of WRAPA, equally said this year’s international day of Education with the theme ” To invest in people, prioritize Education” comes timely as the accountability for good governance in the education cluster will be commemorating the day with a town hall meeting in Kwara, FCT and Ebonyi states, education symposium in Kano and a rally in Kebbi where citizens will be educated using the developed citizen participation policy on how to actively participate in the education budgeting process, emphasis on state universal Basic Education boards work plan and budget.
Comrade Nasiru Idris, said “we know governor Bagudu’s administration has made tremendous efforts to salvage the education sector in the state”, in the area of payment of 19 Billion as a matching grant fund from UBEC which resulted in the construction of 1,250 classrooms, 600 unit of WC toilets, 150 motorized hand pumps and 2,200 of classrooms were renovated among other.
He, therefore, urged the government of the state to increase the 5 percent education budget every year in the state. And to also implement all pending promotions of primary school teachers across the 21 LGA of the State.
He however advocated for additional counterpart funding for UBEC matching grant projects.
In his remarks, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu expressed that education is the backbone of society, hence “We must assist our children’s education, what this association is advocating for, every responsible government must adopt it.
The governor was represented by the Secretary to the state government (SSG), Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri, who said Bagudu’s administration has done a lot and also invested heavily in the education sector in the state.”
Equally, the State Government has renovated and equipped many primary schools across 21LGAs. Recruitment of volunteer teachers under the BESDA program with a view to render support services to Quranic integrated schools for nine months.
He, therefore, assured WRAPA that the government of the state, will do more particularly in the area of budget increase from five percent to ten percent God willing, the state government paid its matching grant promptly. He
He further stressed that all their request is noted and will be conveyed to the state governor for necessary action. He appreciates WRAPA and other union leaders for marking the day a memorable one.
Highlights of the occasion were a sensitization rally across the street of Birnin Kebbi with the slogan “Education for All! Is the responsibility of all.
