Bill to amend compulsory UBE Act passes second reading
A Bill to amend the free and compulsory Universal Basic Education Act passed second reading on Thursday in the House of Representatives.
The Sponsor of the bill, Rep. Afe Olowookere (APC-Ondo), stated that with the importance of education in the life of human beings, the application of free basic education should not be negotiated.
The bill seeks to amend Section 11 of the Principal Act due to the fact that most States were unable to provide the required 50 per cent counterpart funds and the federal portion lay unused in the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The lawmaker sought for the reduction of the counterpart funding by States from 50 per cent to 25 per cent.
Olowookere said: “It is said that only two states, Borno and Rivers, have been able to fully meet these requirements and duly enjoy the benefits of the scheme; this is indeed worrisome.”
