Reps Call For Education Budget Review

HOUSE of Representatives has joined voices with groups and individuals in calling on Federal government to increase fund budgeted for education sector in Nigeria annually as it is the bedrock of national development.

The house specifically urged Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning to consider upward review of budgetary allocations for Education sector in the country, beginning from 2022 in order to attain the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Target on Education For All by 2030.

The House made the call while adopting a motion titled, “Urgent Need to Address the Falling Standard of Education in Nigeria,” moved by Johnson Ganiyu representing Oshodi/Isolo2 Federal Constituency, Lagos.

Ganiyu while moving the motion, noted that quality education is indispensable for human development and economic growth of any country, adding that Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is about ensuring quality education and promoting life-long learning opportunities for all across the world.

While commenting on the status of education in Nigeria, Ganiyu said, “Nigeria’s education system within the last decade has been on a steady decline, ranging from influx of illegal institutions of learning as well as unqualified teachers in the system to poor funding, overcrowding and plethora of decaying infrastructure in schools across the Federation.

“Also aware that according to the United Nations, Nigeria has one of the largest populations of out-of-school youth in the world, with more than ten million Nigerian children, 60 per cent of them girls, not in school and will therefore not have the skills they need to get jobs and build secured and stable future.”

Nigeria’s budget for education year on year falls short of the Standard set by UNESCO which says that every country should allocate minimum of 26 percent of its national budget to education in order to achieve quality education. The 2021 budget has only 5.6 percent allocated to education.

Ganiyu pointed out that Section 18 of the Nigeria’s Constitution 1999 (as amended) provides that the Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.

While pointing out the falling standard of Education in Nigeria, the lawmaker stressed that it has grave adverse consequences for the country in terms of continued decline of economic growth.

He expressed concern that with the current population of about 200 million, 45 per cent of which are below 15 years, there is high demand for learning opportunities translating into increased enrolment which has created challenges in ensuring quality education since resources are not evenly spread.

The lawmaker stated that if no urgent action is taken to address the problem, it will gravely affect the young and future generations and also militate against economic and social development in the country.