FME, UBEC demands increase commitment from states to address out-of-school challenge
The Federal Ministry of Education (FME) and the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) have demanded increased commitment by States towards addressing the out-of-school challenge in the country.
This was the focus of the submission by a team of FME and UBEC officials who were in Gombe State on an advocacy visit to His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and members of the State Executive Council and particularly to drum up support for the successful implementation of the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) programme.
The Hon. Minister of State for Education, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, as part of efforts in engaging state partners towards ensuring that they buy in to Federal Government’s renewed drive for quality basic education delivery, had on Thursday, September 5th, 2019, undertaken an advocacy visit to Gombe State with a view to encouraging prompt initiatives by the new administration in laying a firm foundation for addressing notable basic education challenges in its domain. Hon. Nwajiuba used the opportunity offered by the visit to Gombe State to call on all States of the federation to redouble their efforts in supporting Federal Government’s initiatives at addressing Pillar 1 of FME’s Strategic Plan of Action which focuses on increased access by all school aged children across the country.
While applauding the efforts of various State Governments towards taking the vast majority of their citizens out of poverty, UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr. Bobboyi however noted that such efforts should start with investing every available resource in addressing the out of school Challenge. Dr. Bobboyi, maintained that Gombe State has what it takes to tackle the challenge of out-of-school children within its domain within a minimal time frame. As a first step in this direction, the UBEC boss drew the attention of the State Government to the need for effective utilization of available UBE infrastructure especially the Girl’s Model Schools as well as JSS Vocational Centers. He further urged the State to take active interest in implementing the BESDA programme by mobilizing its human and material resources for the sustainability of the programme especially ensuring that all stakeholders are on the same page in the BESDA programme implementation.
Also speaking during the advocacy visit, the representative of the North-East geo political zone in the UBEC Governing Board, Dr. Danjuma Dabo reiterated the issues raised by the Hon. Minister and joined him in thanking Islamic scholars in the State whom the Governor commended for being exemplary in their commitment and support to the BESDA initiative.
In his response, the Gombe State Governor lamented the effects of insurgency in the North East noting the need for the State Government and other stakeholders to redouble their efforts in addressing the security challenges that have affected UBE delivery services in the region.
The Governor pledged his commitment in this regard and noted that that sooner than expected, Gombe will emerge as one of the states parading excellent indices on UBE delivery.
The advocacy to Gombe State is part of FME/UBEC’s strategic engagement with high level basic education stakeholders towards highlighting areas that require prompt attention especially by high-level state and non-state actors whose inputs and commitment is critical to effective UBE delivery in the country.
