Member representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Muktar Tolani Shagaya, has called for adequate funding of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, as a means of tackling the out-of-school children menace.
In a sponsored bill, the lawmaker asked for an amendment to the principal Act, “the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education”, which he said would ensure adequate funding of basic education to enable children to attend schools across the nation.
The lawmaker, who is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Basic Education Services, identified paucity of funds as a factor militating against functional basic education in Nigeria, saying the development has massively contributed to the menace of “Out of School Children”, in Nigeria.
He said the alteration is seeking to increase the share of the Consolidated Revenue Fund that is allocated for Universal Basic Education from 2% to 4%, urging the lawmakers in the lower legislative chamber to support the amendment in the interest of the nation.
He said: “This Bill seeks to alter the Universal Basic Education, UBEC Act 2004 to increase the share of the Consolidated Revenue Fund that is allocated for Universal Basic Education from 2% to 4%.”
After contributions by other lawmakers who supported the amendment of the bill, the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, commended the sponsor of the bill for his interest in education of Nigerian children and passed its second reading.
The bill was referred to the House Committee on Basic Education Services to submit its public hearing report to the Committee of the whole after the Ramadan break.
Out-of-school children: Reps member advocates funding of UBEC to tackle menace
