THE aim of basic education is to teach skills and knowledge that are important in life and to secure a foundation of equal education for everyone, irrespective of economic, social, religious, ethnic or political background. It was in recognition of the pivotal role of primary education in building a civilized and progressive society that led to the introduction of the Universal Basic Education by the Federal Government as a reform programme aimed at providing greater access to, and ensuring quality of basic education throughout Nigeria.
It is, however, perturbing that in spite of the problems facing basic education in the country, some state governments have failed to take full advantage of the UBE intervention funds provided by the Federal Government through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), to ensure greater access to quality basic education in their various States.
The recent revelation by the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, that over N45.7 billion in funds allocated for the implementation of Universal Basic Education ( UBE) between 2020 and 2023 have not been accessed by many states, portrays the unseriousness of some of the state governments towards the promotion of basic education.
Presently, Nigeria is facing a learning crisis which has been compounded by growing problem of out- of – school children. While the increasing number of out- of – school children is already a serious challenge due to the negative impact it will have on the society, it is surprising that some state governments have failed to prioritize education.
Section 18(3a) of the Nigerian constitution provides that a child has the right to free, compulsory and universal education and it shall be the duty of the government in Nigeria to provide such education. This constitutional provision mandates the government to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring that children of primary school age are availed the opportunity to acquire basic education.
It is therefore disconcerting that while the federal government in its effort to promote the quality of basic education, established the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) as an intervention organ to coordinate all aspects of Universal Basic Education programme implementation in the country, some state governments are playing politics with the programme by failing to provide counterpart funds to access their allocations.
The action of the government of states that have failed to prioritize education is quite saddening, considering the fact that most of the state governments have through omission or commission abandoned their constitutional responsibilities of availing children of primary school age access to quality basic education. This is moreso, when most of the primary schools located in some states across the country are faced with shortage and poor quality infrastructure such as; classrooms, water, electricity, toilets and furniture among others.
Piqued by the nonchalant attitude of some state governments, Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana( SAN), early this year dragged the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory before the Federal High Court in Lagos over their failure to access N68 billion Universal Basic Education Commission funds to provide free basic education for their citizens in line with section 11(2) of the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004. It is indeed shameful that governors who are supposed to be drivers of quality basic education are the ones stalling its realization.
Our state governments should realize that education is one of the major components of human capital formation and commitment to investment in quality education is pivotal to achieving sustainable economic growth. We are therefore calling on the state governments to be more committed to education by developing the political will to provide the needed counterpart funds to access their UBEC intervention funds allocations.
We advocate for a policy shift in the high discretionary powers of the executive and legislature, which has resulted in lack of prioritisation of basic education, poor budget credibility and implementation. There should be a clearly defined policy framework on funding basic education at state and local government levels.
