The Federal Government has been called upon to provide free quality education for all Nigerian children, and ensure that no one is left behind.
ActionAid Nigeria, a non governmental organisation made the disclosure in a statement to mark this year’s International Education day celebration.
The organization is also calling on the Federal Government to revise and increase allocation for education to 15% – 20% of public expenditure.
The group also spoke on the need to give voice to the COVID-19 generation, to express their concerns and aspirations in the face of a future marked by an economic recession and climate change.
“With less than a decade to 2030, and in a world thrown into turmoil by COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial that the Federal Government takes concrete actions to recommit to honoring the UN commitments, and mobilize all available resources to deliver on SDG4 thereby ensuring no child is left behind.””As a developing nation, education is a vital tool for transformational change and is critical for sustainable development. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to a global disruption of learning, this has affected the lives of many children due to the closure of schools, universities, and other institutions of learning in year 2020. Other factors such as insecurity challenges, socio-economic factors, infrastructural deficit have continued to affect education in the Country.”According to the Right body, this year’s theme: ‘Recover and Revitalize Education for the COVID-19 Generation’ hopes to: highlight commitments and follow-up actions taken to protect education through the recovery, increase inclusion and combat drop-out.
” It will celebrate initiatives being led by governments, educators, organization, from global to grassroots efforts, as well as partnerships demonstrating the potential to recommit education to the principles of equity and relevance.
It will highlight best practices in laws and policies on equitable finance for education that effectively and efficiently target the most disadvantaged via a tool featured on UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report website, PEER. “.
ActionAid Nigeria further raised concern that many of the schools still lack potable running water for handwashing even at a time like this.” Social distancing, even up till now is being hampered by inadequate infrastructure and only very few schools enforce wearing of face mask in the year 2020.”
