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Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has explained why the Federal Government is proposing an increment from two per cent to three per cent from the consolidated revenue fund to Universal Basic Education.
Adamu, who spoke in Gombe on Monday during the distribution of the Northern phase of the 2019 School-Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) support fund to beneficiaries, noted that this would help to improve the quality of education.
He stressed that the proposal is due to the current administration’s interest in education.
Represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Adamu stated that the decision was due to emerging trends and the need to pursue results.
“Permit me to say that government on its own part is not resting on its oars in respect of education funding. Recently, the Ministry has put in place a mechanism for seeking legal backing for the increase in the overall funding resources available for UBE delivery.
“In recognition of the emerging trends and in line with the need to step up programme implementation, the Ministry is proposing the increase in the total funds made available for UBE implementation from the current 2% to 3% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
“This proposition is with a view to demonstrating the administration’s commitment to improving the resources available to the sub-sector towards guaranteeing competitive and globally acceptable outcomes in basic education service delivery,” the minister said.
According to the Adamu, recent global events have reawakened the need to improve governance and accountability in the education sector, through decentralisation and proper devolution of responsibilities to structures and groups closer to the schools.
“I believe that it is in pursuit of this ideal that the Universal Basic Education Commission instituted the School-Based Management Committee School Improvement Programme, with a view to providing financial support to communities in the planning, execution and ownership of priority basic education delivery projects in their schools.
“This ultimately places grassroots stakeholders in an advantage position to improve schools as they are empowered to lead the process of positive change and accountability in the delivery of education services,” he added.