Reps task FG on falling standard of education in Nigeria

Members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday tasked Federal Government with the urgent need to address the falling standard of education in Nigeria.

The lawmakers gave the charge during the debate on a motion sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Johnson, who expressed displeasure over the dwindling budgetary allocation for education in the last five years, ranging from 7.38% in 2017, 7.03% in 2018, 7.05% in 2019, 6.7% in 2020 and 5.6% in 2021 Appropriation Acts.

In his lead debate, Hon. Johnson, who called for quality education as a crucial tool for the economic growth of any country, underscored the provision of Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which focused on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting life-long learning opportunities for all.

“The House also notes that Section 18 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) provides that the Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.

“The House is aware that 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.

“The House is 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 percent of them girls, not in school and will therefore not have the skills they need to get jobs and build secured and stable future.

“The House recalls the United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Reports that for a nation to achieve the goal of providing quality education for all by 2030, the country would have to allocate at least 26 percent of its national budget to Education, however, Nigeria’s budgetary allocation for Education in the last five years are 7.38% in 2017, 7.03% in 2018, 7.05% in 2019, 6.7% in 2020 and 5.6% in 2021, a far cry from the expected standards.

“The House acknowledges that Nigeria has achieved some progress in expanding access to school under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the domestic Universal Basic Education (UBE) Scheme, however, the expansion has not resulted in improved learning, as the flat learning curve in Nigeria is a proof that getting children to school does not automatically translate to adequate infrastructure, qualified teachers, conducive learning environment, frequent attendance, grade progression, effective classroom governance and more importantly, learning,

“The House is concerned that the adverse effects of falling standard of education on a nation is very grave, and the fall in educational standard in Nigeria implies a continued decline in its level of economic growth.

“The House is also concerned that with the current population of about 200 million, 45 percent 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 spread more thinly.

“The House is worried that the burden on education in Nigeria has become even more overwhelming, resulting in more than 100 pupils to one teacher as against the UNESCO benchmark of 35 pupils per teacher; culminating in students learning under trees for lack of classrooms and other harsh conditions.

“The House is cognizant that if no urgent action is taken, the problem will gravely affect the young and future generations as well as stifle economic and social developmental prospects of the country,” he noted.

To this end, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning to give further considerations to Education in the subsequent budgetary allocations in order to attain the UNESCO projection by 2030.

While ruling, the Speaker mandated the joint Committees on Tertiary Education and Services, Basic Education and Services, Youth Development and Appropriations to liaise with relevant stakeholders with the aim of providing lasting solutions to the falling standard of education in Nigeria and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

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