NAAT faults NEC 15% budgetary allocation to education, demands 26%

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has faulted the 15 per cent annual budgetary allocation recommended by the National Economic Council (NEC) to Education; saying that the figure is still well below the 26 per cent benchmark recommended by UNESCO.

In a communique issued after the 38th National Executive Council meeting of NAAT; held at the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto; the Union said Nigeria should not be struggling to meet up with the UNESCO benchmark of 26% at this point in time.

The communique, signed by the General Secretary of NAAT, Comrade Hamilton Iyoyo said: “NAAT condemns the low and haphazard budgetary allocation to the Education sector, by both the Federal and State Governments. Although the National Economic Council at its recent meeting had recommended minimum of 15 per cent annual budgetary allocation to the Education sector by both Federal and State Governments, the figure is still well below the 26 per cent benchmark recommended by UNESCO.

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“This consistently low budgetary allocation had over the years been largely responsible for the decay in infrastructure, inadequate teaching and research facilities, falling standard of education and other uncomplimentary narratives associated with the Education Sector.

“The Union therefore urges government at all levels to take proactive steps towards adequate funding of Education. Nigeria should not be struggling to meet up with the UNESCO benchmark of 26 per cent at this point in time.”