The Nigeria Union of Teachers is concerned about the government's plan to end the funding for the National Senior Secondary Education Commission.
The NUT stated that removing the funding would greatly endanger the education sector.
Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, the NUT Secretary-General, revealed this information at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
He mentioned, “Stopping the funding will pose a major threat to the education sector.
“Education is a crucial foundation for national development. In Nigeria, the NSSEC has a significant role in shaping the secondary education field.
“The NSSEC, established by the National Assembly, must receive funding from the Federal Government. We urge the NASS to intervene and prevent the NSSEC from facing financial difficulties.
“NSSEC is a legal entity created by an Act of the National Assembly of Nigeria, making it essential to be funded by the Federal Government.
“There is no executive authority or office that can cancel the existence of an Act of NASS without first returning to it for legislative procedures.”
He expressed concerns about severe consequences for Nigeria’s educational system if the funding was stopped, pointing out that federal funding was crucial for maintaining educational standards, training teachers, and updating curricula.
He stated, “Without federal support, the NSSEC may struggle to address educational disparities between states, resulting in a decline in the quality of education.
He also mentioned the difficulties in infrastructure development, teacher motivation, curriculum development, educational research, and innovation.
Ike-Ene urged careful consideration of the effects of excluding the NSSEC from federal funding, calling on policymakers to prioritize the nation’s educational development and future stability.
“As Nigeria moves forward with its educational journey, it is crucial to thoroughly consider the implications of such decisions.
“This is to ensure that the nation’s educational space is sustained, strengthened, reinforced, made robust, fair, and conducive for national development and in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.
In 2023, the Executive Secretary of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission appealed to the Federal Government to include the NSSEC Gazette Act 23 (two percent consolidated revenue fund) in the 2024 Budget.
The commission indicated that the two percent consolidated revenue fund was necessary to access the funds needed to revitalize senior secondary education in the country.
NAN
