By Gift Olivia Samuel, The Sight News
Stakeholders in the education sector, have disclosed that a National Policy on Safety and Security in Schools in Nigeria will mitigate the insecurity in the education sector.
The stakeholders made this known in a communique issued at the end of the Ministerial session of the 63rd meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE), which held in Abuja from Wednesday 1st to Thursday 2nd August, 2018.
The Council which focused on how to improve the education sector, noted that there is an urgent need to augment the services of uniformed security officers in schools with other security measures such as establishment of Vigilante group and community neighborhood watch.
“Council Urges States, the FCT, LGAs and owners of schools to, as a matter of urgency augment the services of uniformed security officers with registered Vigilante groups and Community Neighborhood Watch” the communique read.
It also pointed out the need for adequate fund to effectively implement inclusive education as there are many other competing needs in the sector.
With “Funding of Education for the achievement of Education 2030 agenda” as the theme, the council stressed on the importance of developing a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategy to source for funds.
The Council also pointed out, “that poor synergy between governments and the communities for fund mobilization is a serious handicap towards achieving Education 2030 Agenda;
“That inadequate funding of Adult and Non-Formal Education programmes is affecting youths, adults and marginalized groups;
“That sourcing alternative funds and implementing strategies that would reduce financial burden on government will go a long way in funding capacity building of teachers to achieve Education 2030 Agenda”, the communique stated.
On Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the council noted that commercializing the products from Production Units of the Colleges will assist in the funding of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as profit generated will be ploughed back into the Colleges.
The Council however called on Corporate Organizations such as Bank of Industry (BOI), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), etc. to assist in upgrading production units of Technical Colleges through the provision of grants.
While declaring the meeting closed, the Minister of State for Education,Prof Anthony Anwukah implored every stakeholder in the education sector, to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all the decisions taken at the meeting has positive effect on education delivery.
“It is my honour and pleasure to declare the 63rd National Council on Education(NCE) meeting 2018 officially closed” he ended.
