By Mayowa Adeniran |
A Non Governmental Organisation, Human Development Initaitive has called for strict adherence to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO’s recommendation on budgetary allocation for education.
The compliance to UNESCO’s recommendation, according to HDI would help to improve the state of basic education in the country.
This was disclosed in a communique issued at the end of the 2-Day training for Heads of Education of Local Government Areas/Local Council Development Areas (LGAs/LCDAs), Teaching Service Commission (TESCOMM) Officers, School Administrators and selected teachers in Lagos State.
UNESCO recommends that governmets should allocate 15 to 20 per cent of their budgets to education sector.
Participants at the the 2 day training also observed that no state in the country including Lagos has been able to fully enroll 100 percent of school age children into schools in their respective states adding that retention of students as well completion of schools is still minimal.
Basic education in the country according to the participants has been marred with “inadequate involvement of stakeholders in implementation of Basic Education policy. Inconsistency in administration, management and politicization of basic education as well as incomplete projects meant for execution in the basic education sector of the state.
“Poor societal awareness about Basic Education is another problem. Inadequate budgetary provision for education and re-allocation of appropriated funds to other sectors and population explosion and challenges of teachers’ management are some of the problems bedeviling basic education in the country.
The participants believe if certain and drastic steps are taken basic education will be more effective and efficient.
They also recommend that “there should be strategic mobilisation of all stakeholders and the society at large on the need to embrace and support basic education to achieve its desired goals.
“Government should put more effort to involve more practical oriented subjects and special attention given to talent hunt to arouse interest of students as well as involving other stakeholders in classroom running and curriculum development.
“Regular review of educational plans to meet current trends, projects once initiated should be completed and better orientation on the importance and benefits of basic education in the society, especially in Lagos state and the Nation at large,” they added.
Share this
