From Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
Action Aid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, has called on the federal government to increase allocation for education to between 15 and 20 percent of public expenditure.
The NGO on Tuesday in a statement issued to commemorate the 2021 International Education Day which has the theme: “Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation”, said there is the need to revise and increase allocation for education to between 15% and 20% of public expenditure.
It also said there is need to Increase the tax base by capturing the informal sector to increase resources, working towards a minimum tax to GDP ratio of 20%, provide free quality education for all and halt the dangerous trends of privatization and commercialization of education.
The NGO also called for inclusive educational systems and institutions; improved quality of teaching through adequate recruitment, renumeration and continued teacher training and re-training.
It said there must be evaluation of existing safety measures in schools to identify gaps and take corrective measures followed by regular risk assessment at the Federal, State and Local Government Area levels; providing leadership and funds to support logistics of monitoring teams at all levels; and enforce compliance to COVID-19 safety rules and measures.
It asked that improved security architecture should be put in places where insecurity has affected learning.
It said: “As a developing nation, education is a vital tool for transformational change and is critical for sustainable development. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a global disruption of learning, this has affected the lives of many children due to the closure of schools, universities, and other institutions of learning in year 2020. Other factors such as insecurity challenges, socio-economic factors, infrastructural deficit have continued to affect education in the Country.”
Action Aid Nigeria noted that: “With less than a decade to 2030, and in a world thrown into turmoil by COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that the Federal Government takes concrete actions to recommit to honoring the UN commitments and mobilize all available resources to deliver on SDG4 thereby ensuring no child is left behind.”
