The House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education has threatened action against schools, especially private ones resisting the National Personnel Audit, being conducted by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Chairman of the committee, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, stated this in Abuja on Thursday, while monitoring the 2022 national personnel Audit at Pilot Science Nursery/Primary School, Wuse zone 5 and Junior Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja.
Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is currently carrying out a national personnel audit of all basic education institutions in the country.
Professor Ihonvbere noted that he will be proposing a law, along with other colleagues to make it compulsory for every private school to supply 100 percent of the Personnel data.
“What has been làcking in this country is the policy consistency, the ability to align policy formulation with policy performance and funding the education sector adequately and ensuring that resources go to the right places.
“Yes, the numbers of schools have increased over time but we don’t have enough teachers. We are closing schools because of security, is not the teachers that will provide the security, it is the government so they need to do something about that.
“You go outside the capital city of any state most schools are not even fenced even perimeter fencing, governance will not do it. There are schools without water, toilets, and no playground for primary school pupils, so we need to take this education very seriously if we really want to change this country. It is education that made a difference in any country.
“The private schools are taking a major risk, even the school where UBEC staff was arrested, I’m surprised that the board has not closed down that school.
“As a lesson to Others, I can assure you that I, along with my colleague will be proposing a law to make it compulsory for every private school to supply 100 percent of the Personnel data, even without being asked and to grant 100 percent access at all times to SUBEB, UBEC staff that is number one.
“Number two, the private schools think they are island because they are private, they are private within the laws of Nigeria, so I’m really shocked to hear that some private schools closed their doors and refused to grant access, they are taking a major risk. We will see what will happen next year,” he said.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board, Alh. Alhassan Sule said the availability of data will help to address some of the issues facing the education sector.
“What is going on now is a better opportunity for us to have at our fingertips data that concerns the enrollment, teachers and infrastructure.
“And I think is better to plan when you have your data at your fingertip. I think the best thing that federal government is doing for Nigerian citizens is ensuring free and compulsory basic education for our children”
Writing by Daniel Adejo