The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) is starting a new program called Open Schooling in Nigeria. This program will help people learn in a more flexible way.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, who is the leader of UBEC, talked about this during a meeting with some important groups in Abuja on Tuesday.
His assistant, Prof. Isiaka Kolawole, explained more. He said the program is meant to help people who cannot go to regular schools.
“We are almost ready to start the Open Schooling Program. This program will help people who can’t go to regular schools still get an education,” he said.
Dr. Bobboyi also asked these important groups to help make education better all over the country. He said that although many people are trying hard to improve education, there is still a lot to do.
“Many people, including the government and private organizations, have spent a lot of money and made many efforts. But we still need to do more to improve basic education in our country.
“We have many problems like many kids not going to school, not enough good teachers, old laws about education, and people not understanding the importance of education, especially in rural areas,” he said.
Prof. Bala Zakari, another leader in UBEC, shared some important numbers about teachers. He said that public primary schools do not have enough teachers. Based on a 2022 report, these schools need 694,078 teachers but only have 499,202 teachers. So, they are short by 194,876 teachers.
“Our public primary schools really need more teachers. Out of 694,078 needed, we only have 499,202. This means we are missing 194,876 teachers. But some other schools, like kindergartens and junior secondary schools, have enough teachers,” he said.
Prof. Zakari said we need to update the old education laws from 2004. He also wants local governments to spend more money on education and asked the important groups to help make sure every child goes to school.
Earlier, Dr. Osom Osom, who helps UBEC talk to the public, said the meeting was held so that UBEC and the important groups can talk and share ideas to make education better.
“We are having this meeting to talk and share ideas on how to make basic education better,” he said.
The meeting took place at UBEC Digital Resource Centre and many important groups from different parts of the country came to it.