Saraki calls for comprehensive education reform in Nigeria

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called for  comprehensive  educational system reform aimed at meeting the demands of employers in the public and private sectors.

Saraki said this statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu on Monday in Abuja.

Saraki said such reform became necessary to ensure that Nigerian students and schools engage more in global competition.

“What we all want to see is an educational system that is meeting the demands of the employers in both the public and private sectors.

“Considering the economic situation in the country, and the widening social inequality, we need to ensure that all Nigerians are well equipped for the future that lies ahead,’’.

“This means that any reform in education can no longer be business as usual. It must involve government, academia and the private sector,’’ he said.

The Senate president said that with the recent economic recession in the country, interventions in the nation’s educational system must no longer be business as usual.

Saraki further said education reform must go beyond just reforming school systems, adding that the reform must be tackled from the primary education.

“For example, basic education is the primary responsibility of the local governments. This needs to be reviewed.
“We have to look into and redesign the current education model that has domiciled the most important tier of education in the weakest tier of government,” he said.

He said the Senate would be working to restructure Nigeria’s education system by providing legislative framework, over the next few months, to create more autonomy for Nigeria’s education system.