By, Giwa Alex, JOS
Federation Of Muslim Women’s Association In Nigeria (FOMWAN) has called on the federal and state government to as matter of urgency increase the educational annual budget in line with (UNESCO) recommendation.
FOMWAN made the call today 12th July,2018 at the 18th Annual Summit of the association held at Hill Station Hotel in JOS plateau state.
In her speech, the National Amirah, Halima Jibril chairperson of the association decried the 7% annual budgetary allocation to education by the Nigeria government as she argued the governments at all to increase it to at least 15% if she cannot meet up with the (UNESCO) remmendation of 26%.
The summit which has the Theme”Overhauling The Education In Nigeria: Philosophy, Curriculum, Teacher Education And Quality Assurance”Halima said because adequate funding of education can gradually assure quality that we all aspire to achieve
She called on Universal Basic Education (UBEC) and the state(SUBEBs)to prioritize spending and categorically to the efficient allocation of the available resources to ensure optimal of school resources to achieve good learning outcomes.
The National Chairperson of (FOMWAN) stressed the need for adequate funding of education ,particularly in the volatile areas in the country recently bedeviled by insurgency.
She also called on the government to focus on the development of science and technology as a means to reposition our teeming youth in a globally competitive economy.
She however lamented the high number of school dropped out according to Nigeria Education indicators 2016 of the federal ministry of education (2011-2016)published in 2017 indicated at least Ten point Six million (10.6)Nigeria children are still out of school, majority of them who are from thé northern Nigeria.
In her welcome address, the chairperson ,FOMWAN National Education Committee, Dr Lateefa M.Durosinmi said the annual FOMWAN Education summit is a strategies to mobilise populace, and awaking the consciousness of relevant stakeholders on the importance of education.
“FOMWAN is an education focus organization that promotes educational development of women,Youths and children through Establishment of formal and non formal schools including running a vocational centers all over the federation.”
In his goodwill message, the Governor of plateau state ,Barr.Bako lalong represented by the commissioner for higher education Elizabeth Wapmuk commended the association for the achievements in the education sector with the establishment of schools.
Governor lalong said he was impressed that not withstanding the unfortunate situation of the recent attacks in some villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom LG which sought to return the northern sectorial districts to the dark days of violent crisis, your resolve to come and hold the conference in jos has come to prove that you desire to show to the whole world that plateau is a peaceful state.
Dignitaries present at the summit include the governor of plateau state represented by the commissioner for higher education Elizabeth Wapmuk, the wife of the Governor, Ragina lalong, represented,by the commissioner for Youths development, Gwong jos Jacob Jang Buba , Emir of Wase and host of others.
The occasion will last for three days.
