ASABA/Nigeria: In a bid to ensure that quality, safe, and inclusive education is accessible to all individuals in society, governments and other critical stakeholders in the education sector have been called upon to adopt a holistic approach. Mrs. Odinakachi Ahanonu, the Policy Advisor/National Coordinator of Civil Society Action Coalition Education for All (CSACEFA), made this call during the opening ceremony of a two-day capacity building workshop on budget monitoring and tracking. The workshop was organized for members of CSACEFA from the South West, South East, and South-South regions.
CSACEFA is a coalition of civil society organizations in Nigeria dedicated to addressing education issues and advocating for equal educational opportunities for every Nigerian child, regardless of gender or ethnicity.
Expressing her concern over the inadequate budgetary provision for education by successive Nigerian governments, Mrs. Ahanonu emphasized the need to increase the education budget to 20% for the overall growth and development of the education system. She further highlighted that several state governments had failed to access funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), and even those who did access the funds often misappropriated them, diverting the money to other sectors instead of using it to enhance the standard of education.
The capacity building workshop, according to Mrs. Ahanonu, aimed to equip CSACEFA members with the necessary knowledge and skills for effective budget monitoring. She encouraged participants to train other members who were unable to attend the workshop, ensuring the dissemination of knowledge throughout the organization.
Mrs. Ahanonu stressed the importance of adequate infrastructure at the basic level of education, ensuring a conducive learning environment for children. She also emphasized the significance of continuous training and proper remuneration for teachers, calling for these aspects to be given priority attention.
Supporting Mrs. Ahanonu’s stance, Augusta Impact Keneboh, the Delta State Coordinator of CSACEFA, highlighted the role of their organization in holding governments accountable for the implementation of the education budget. She stated that the workshop aimed to analyze the education budget to determine its adequacy and urged governments to adhere to the international agreement of allocating 15% to 20% of the budget for education provision.
The training session in Delta State was specifically chosen as the venue for this workshop, signaling the commitment of CSACEFA in addressing education issues and advocating for positive change in the sector. With their efforts, CSACEFA aims to bring about a transformation in education, ensuring that every Nigerian child has equal access to quality and inclusive education.
