IMPLEMENTATION OF BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN EDO STATE: UBEC’S PERSPECTIVE

1. IMPLEMENTATION OF BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN EDO STATE: UBEC’S PERSPECTIVE A Paper Presented by Dr. HamidBobboyi, Executive Secretary Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) At Edo State 2018 Executive Council Retreat Venue: Setraco Camp, Life Camp, Abuja 27th January, 2018 @ 10.00 am

2. IMPLEMENTATION OF BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN EDO STATE: UBEC PERSPECTIVE 1.0 INTRODUCTION It is globally recognized that education is a critical factor in the advancement of society. In particular, Basic Education sets the foundation on which a nation’s educational system is built. Not getting it right at the Basic Education level undermines the entire educational system.

3. INTRODUCTION continues … The Universal Basic Education (UBE) is a nine-year programme established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to eradicate illiteracy and ignorance; as well as create the basis for the acquisition of skills and knowledge required for life-long learning. In a knowledge-driven world, countries strive to establish a solid Basic Education structure for Science and Technology in order to transform the society into a globally competitive one. The UBE Programme which was kick-started in 1999 aims at ensuring that the country takes advantage of basic education and ensure that the citizens are well equipped to meet the challenges of development.

4. INTRODUCTION continues … Prior to the introduction of the UBE Programme, the Nigerian Education System witnessed series of policy summersaults. In recognition of these shortcomings and Nigeria’s commitment to international conventions and protocols, the Federal Government introduced the compulsory, free UBE Programme. Without prejudice to Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution, the Federal Government’s intervention in the Universal Basic Education Act, 2004 and Other Related Matters shall only be assistance to the States and Local Governments in Nigeria for the purpose of providing uniform and qualitative basic education throughout Nigeria.

5. INTRODUCTION continues … The Federal Government recognizes the right of every child to a compulsory, free universal basic education. The Federal Government’s intervention under the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act (2004) and Other Related Matters is for the purpose of assisting the States and Local Governments in Nigeria to develop a uniform and qualitative basic education throughout the country.

6. 2.0 The UBE INTERVENTION FUNDS In order to facilitate and sustain the UBE programme, the enabling law, UBE Act (2004), has provided sources of funds for the Programme. Part III, Section 11 sub-section 1 of the UBE Act stipulates that: “The implementation of the Universal Basic Education shall be financed from: • Federal Government block grant of not less than 2% of its Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). • Funds or contributions in form of Federal guaranteed credits; and • Local and international donor grants.

7. The UBE INTERVENTION FUNDS continues … It should however be noted that the sharing formula for the utilization of UBE Fund is the responsibility of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The last review of the sharing formula was in 2008 as follows: • Matching Grants to States - 50% • Education Imbalance - 14% • Good Performance - 5% • Physically and Mentally Challenged - 2% • UBE Implementation - 2% • UBE Monitoring - 2% • Instructional Materials - 15% • Teacher Professional Development - 10% TOTAL 100%

8. Guidelines for Accessing of FG-UBE Fund • UBE Matching Grant • Enactment of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Law • Appointment of SUBEB Governing Board • Opening of a dedicated UBE Matching Grant Account with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or any approved Commercial Bank • Lodgement of State Counterpart Fund in line with Section 11(1) UBE Act, 2004 (for now is 50%) • Development and submission of Action Plan to UBEC for vetting and approval • Submission of Quarterly project progress report • Submission of Quarterly Financial returns

9. GUIDELINES FOR ACCESSING OF UBE FUND- CONT. • Special Education Fund • Opening of dedicated Special Education fund account • Development and submission of Action Plan to UBEC for vetting and approval • Submission of Quarterly project and Financial returns • Teacher Professional Development • Opening of dedicated TPD account • Development and submission of TPD Action Plan • Submission of TPD report and Financial returns A separate presentation will show the level of disbursement and utilization of these funds.

10. 3.0 ACCESS OF UBE FUND BY EDO STATE UBE Matching Grant Disbursement: The Matching Grant is meant for school infrastructural development and during the period (2005 -2017) the sum of N10,568,768,844.19 was allocated to Edo State, out of this amount, the sum of N6,887,489,218.84 was accessed as at 31st December, 2017. While the sum of N3,681,275,625.35 is yet to be accessed by the State. The breakdown is given below:

11. ACCESS OF UBE FUND BY EDO STATE – Cont.

12. ACCESS OF UBE FUND BY EDO STATE – Cont. Special Education Fund Disbursement: This component is meant to support special programme for mentally and physically challenged pupils in public schools. Within the period under review ( 2005 – 2017), the sum of N268,006,631.03 wasallocated to the State as Special Education Fund. The sum of N184,045,732.21 was accessed as at 31st December, 2017, while the sum of N83,960,898.82 remained un-accessed. The breakdown is given below:

13. ACCESS OF UBE FUND BY EDO STATE – Cont.

14. ACCESS OF UBE FUND BY EDO STATE – Cont. Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Fund: The fund is meant for training and re-training of teachers and education managers in public basic education institutions. The sum of N1,312,607,370.60 was allocated to the State as Teacher Profession Development Fund for the period of 2009 to 2017. As at 31st December, 2017, the sum of N907,607,370.60 was accessed ,while the sum of N405,000,000.00 is yet to be accessed by the State. The breakdown is given below:

15. ACCESS OF UBE FUND BY EDO STATE – Cont.

16. ACCESS OF UBE FUND BY EDO STATE – Cont. Direct UBE Intervention projects In addition to the UBE funds disbursed to the State, the also executed direct projects worth N2,249,937,035.56 as shown in the table below; Provision of Textbooks and other Instructional Materials Textbooks in 4 core subjects’ areas and other instructional Materials worth Millions of Naira were also supplied to the State by the Commission

17. 4.0 Challenges The Teacher Factor • High percentage of unqualified teachers • Inadequate teacher supply and lopsided teacher deployment • Training institutions not meeting the real needs of States. Romanticization of the past • Compensation and Motivation Governance Factor • Prioritization of Basic Education in the State. The Korean Story • The problem of synergy between Educational agencies (UBEC, SUBEBS, LGEAs, other Adhoc agencies) • The reconstitution of SUBEB Boards. Politics of hierarchy and relevance • The issue of JSS disarticulation and resultant consequences. Lack of utilization of UBEC structure

18. Challenges – C0nt. Quality Assurance • Lack of synergy: FME, UBEC, SUBEBs and LGEAS • CHALLENGES: Lack of Funds, lack of mobility and lack of feedback • Model school systems • Poor Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation • Non-utilization of completed projects

19. Challenges – C0nt. Strategic Planning • Adhoc Planning and Management • The Imperative of Medium Term Basic Education Strategic Plan (MTBESP) • The Issue of Data: Needs of Different consumers of data, Need to synchronize planning for external programmes and UBEC’s NPA • Policy research: Response to new challenges and putting in place and monitoring new initiatives • ICT in the Organization • Public vs Private/community education

20. Challenges – C0nt. Accountability and Transparency Factor • Non-retirement of previously disbursed UBE fund • Misapplication of UBE fund • Ghost workers syndrome • Abandoned projects

21. Challenges – C0nt. Others Challenges • Low level of budgetary allocation to basic education at State and Local Government levels • Dwindling Government revenue at all levels • General insecurity in schools occasioned by insurgency, kidnapping, Herdsmen/Farmers crises, etc • Infrastructural decay • Inadequate Instructional Materials • Overcrowded Classrooms • High turnover of the SUBEB personnel • Widening access to education for vulnerable groups

22. 5.0 Way Forward • Placing premium on Basic Education by making it a top priority • Amending SUBEB laws to providing clear way of funding Basic Education in the States • Edo State to fast-track access of all un-accessed UBE funds • Intensification of Human capacity Building • Institutionalization of Model Schools concept • Rehabilitation of the existing Infrastructure • Promoting inclusive education • Provision of adequate Instructional Materials • Effective Monitoring & Evaluation mechanism should be put in place

23. 6.0 Conclusion • The success or failure of the UBE Programme depends largely on the extent to which UBE Intervention funds are effectively and judiciously managed. • Challenges are part of life and may not completely be eradicated but can be reduce to their barest minimum. • Both UBEC and SUBEBs should rise-up to these challenges with the aim of overcoming them so that together we can successful deliver functional Basic Education. • The Commission appreciates the invitation from his Excellency, Mr. Godwin NogheghaseObaseki, Executive Governor, Edo State and pledge to continue with the partnership in order to move Basic Education forward.

24. Thank you for listening