Founder, Education Rights Campaign, ERC Mr Hassan Soweto has described the claim of free education offered by states in Nigeria as insincere and dishonest.
He said this at the closing of 2018 ERC free holiday coaching lesson organized for students in Ajegunle, and held in Nawair U Deen Primary School, Arumoh street.
At the events which saw gifts presented to overall best students in all the classes and that had the presence of Daggar Tolar , a renowned poet and former Nigerian Union of Teachers , NUT chairman Ifelodun- Ajeromi among other dignitaries , Soweto said that ,” The government is being insincere and dishonest when they say they are providing free education under the education for all project that began over a decade. In Lagos state website, for instance, the said claim is made.
But we are here today at Nawair U Deen in Arumoh street, where Chairs and desks are; broken, the windows are hanging, the ceilings are; coming down, including the problem inadequate teachers. I say, is this free education? Our demand for free education means a system that is; properly funded with materials, well stocked libraries , laboratories; with well trained teachers that are adequate.
This is because, the end point of education is to make sure that education is accessible to all and the citizens receive such education that can make them contribute meaningful well to the development of the country. “said Soweto.
On his part, Coordination of the lesson, Comrade Fidel Davy said the coaching lesson that began in 2005; marking its 13th edition has mentored over 7000 students; was basically ran to called on government to make education free and accessible.
His words,” We are trying to present a position that government should make it a priority to fund public education. For example, the annual budget for education in Nigeria is less than eight percent. Whereas, United Nations Education and Scientific Organisations, UNESCO pegged budget for education at 26 percent. So, the reality of this is that government is not funding public education. That is why we have low teaching staff, and large number of students.
“While we are calling for more sponsorship to enable us make the programme of more impact through the awards of scholarships and the inclusion of vocational skills training, we are calling on the citizens to demand for their rights as education is a fundamental right and government must fund it. “explained Davy.
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