In a bid to ensure a proper utilisation of the N2.94 billion Lagos State Universal Basic Education (LSUBEB) year 2018 action plan, stakeholders have called for complete overhauling, regular monitoring and evaluation of UBE intervention projects to make it fit for purpose and meet the needs of the 13.2 million out-of-school children in Nigeria.
The stakeholders spoke at the sensitization program for Community Stakeholders on UBE Intervention Projects, held in Agege by the Human Development Initiative (HDI), The Education Partnership (TEP) with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
Stakeholders were commissioned to track utilization of UBE funds to improve public sector accountability and transparency. However, to ensure proper monitoring, the year 2018 Lagos action plan was simplified for education stakeholders both at the state and community levels.
Olalekan Majeyagbe, the education secretary, Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Agege, said government alone cannot ensure the enrolment of Nigeria’s 13.2 million of-of-school children, hence the need for collaboration by all stakeholders in the education sector to capture children under the informal education, especially nomadic education.
According to him, Nigeria need a complete overhauling of the education sector. “We need a lot of reorientation across board,” said Majeyagbe.
Majeyagbe opined that stakeholders in the basic education sub-sector must embrace collaboration in ensuring a proper and efficient utilisation of UBE interventions in the state. “We are partners in progress in looking at project implementation,” said Majiyagbe.
Johnson Ibidapo, programmes coordinator, HDI, said all stakeholders must ensure all school age children enroll, attend and complete schooling.
According to him, stakeholders should also ensure collective and individual community participation in school management through elected School Management Committee (SMC) and Parents’ Associations (PA).
Ibidapo opined that stakeholders must disseminate accurate and timely information, and sensitize the public on their role in basic education delivery, using information and communication channels.
A breakdown of the N2.94 billion basic education infrastructure development, 2018 action plan shows that 12 new construction projects will be constructed at N1.3 billion; nine rehabilitation projects at N655.2 million, quality assurance monitoring at N58.95 million.
Others includes, N29.47 million sport development, N88.4 water supply and sanitation, N58.95 million administrating and consultancy services; while 4617 meters of fencing project to cost N395.1 million, and 10,165 furniture project at N294.76 million.
