Under the direction of Hamid Bobboyi, the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has initiated a number of vigorous programmes, including symposiums, talk shops, workshops, seminars, and many other awareness campaigns, not only to enhance Basic Education in the nation but also to bring the act up to date with the realities of the modern world, especially in this era of computers. The UBEC was established in 2004.
As a result, the recent retreat that the commission spearheaded provided a chance to reroute the growth of Basic Education, particularly in light of the various challenges that the programme faces in Nigeria.
The two-day event, which was held in the state capital of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Thursday, March 7, and Friday, March 8, opened the eyes of policy makers at all levels to the need to not only maintain the current success that UBEC has achieved, but also to forge a new path for the ongoing development of basic education given the demands of the programme.
The complementary programme was a plus and a positive step towards enhancing the design of asymmetric policies that the commission had started. It was created to spark internal, local, and worldwide actions in this regard.
Its “Basic Education Implementation in Nigeria, Issues and Challenges and Way Forward” theme was chosen because the organisers believed that once the important stakeholders meeting’s conclusion is put into action, Basic Education reforms in the nation will be held in the highest regard.
In addition to drawing attendees from a wide range of backgrounds, the event featured papers from participants with expertise in their fields on how to continue the current success story that has been documented throughout time.
During his speech to the August gathering, Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of Education, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to keep producing human resources who will be responsible for not just launching Basic Education but also preserving it in Nigeria.
He praised UBEC for giving human resources development top priority and called human resources a real tool for the anticipated transformation of Basic Education.
Speaking at the ceremony, House Chairman on Basic Education and Services and co-organizer of the historic occasion, Mr. Mark Useni, stated that the committee will make sure that each kid receives a quality assessment of Basic Education through appropriate legislation in accordance with its mandate.
Issues like girl child education and out-of-school children (OOSC), among many others, promised by both local and international stakeholders, will become a thing of the past with a vow to provide the enabling environment.
Aniete Etuk, the Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom state Universal Basic Education Board, stated that every child’s foundation starts at home, just as the foundation for higher education continues to be Basic Education. She was speaking on behalf of Pastor Umo Eno, the governor of Akwa Ibom state.
In order to guarantee the seamless application of basic knowledge at the subnational level, he gave the audience his word that the programme will be continuously implemented at the state and local government levels.
Aware that the act had been out of date for more than 20 years, Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), argued that a comprehensive review of the act was necessary since many of its provisions would have become obsolete in light of the constantly changing circumstances and the need for reforms.
He used the argument that numerous developments had occurred that called for greater commission involvement in the management of Basic Education, which is why there has been constant orientation and reorientation, to support the necessity for the act to be amended.
Statistic data indicates a positive trend in the number of schools and enrollment in basic education across the nation, despite the fact that basic education reforms remain ongoing.
Despite the ongoing problems, there were 46 million students enrolled in Basic Education, with 171,027 schools currently operating nationwide. There were 1, 686, 536 Basic Education teachers, and there was still opportunity for significant improvements if the retreat’s recommendations were put into practice.