The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday expressed solidarity with university students over decay in the nation’s educational system.
The labour movement lamented that the fight for a better educational system has been left for only the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the non-academic staff to prosecute.
NLC’s Head of International Relations and National Assembly Liason Uche Ekwe, who stood in for the NLC President Ayuba Wabba, said it is unfortunate that the budget for education has continued on the downward trend in the past 20 years, adding that the country was still far from the 26 per cent mark recommended by UNESCO for education funding.
Education experts call for a ‘take your son into university day’
The proposal is based on “take your daughter to work day”, which began in 1993 as a way of exposing girls to as wide a range of careers as possible, and aims to address the growing gender gap at British universities where female students outnumber male. Girls are already outperforming boys at the end of primary school when they take their key stage 2 Sats, with 68% of girls reaching the expected standard compared to 60% of boys. This summer 17.1% of boys in England attained top marks, an A or 7 and above, in their GSCEs compared with 23.4% of girls. That gap persists at A-level.
Investment in Education Best Gift from Government to Citizens – Mrs. Laure Beaufils
In her congratulatory message to the school, Mrs. Beaufils said 60 years of consistency in excellence and capacity building was a remarkable feat for any Institution.
She said, “I started my career as a civil servant, specifically as an education adviser; so to an extent, I know a thing or two about education. Investing in education is the best investment any government or anyone can make and invest in girls’ education is the most effective investment that can be made.
“This is why I will implore you to always think of those without access to education,” Beaufils said.
The British envoy charged the government to also focus on other developmental goals since it was not certain that there would be jobs for graduating students.
She added that education was not just about knowledge but creativity; confidence and not being afraid to voice out one’s belief.
Stop treating education with levity – NANS
The student union gave the charge on Monday in Minna when it protested the shutdown of academic activities in some federal universities by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
ASSU had three weeks ago mobilised its members on an industrial strike, demanding the release of N1.1 trillion to fund public universities.
The students in a peaceful protest tagged: ‘Save Education Rally’ decried incessant strikes in the education sector and called on the federal government to shift ground on the matter.
University Of Ibadan International School – Muslims Protest
Academic activities at the University of Ibadan International School this morning paralysed as the school management have again locked the classrooms due to protest by parents and muslim community over the use of Hijab by some female Muslim students…
Examination timetable emailed to candidates – Neco
The body also dismissed the insinuation that this was the third time it postponed the examination, describing it as a social media hoax and explaining that it had not released its timetable up until its publications appeared in the print and broadcast media on Wednesday.
Calling on candidates to always check NECO’s official website and their personal email to get information, as opposed to relying on the social media, Abdul said, “This is the first time it has been postponed. We scheduled it to hold from November 19 to December 19. We had never released any timetable before then. The information that was passed around before now is incorrect. That happens a lot on social media. That is why we refer people to our website to download the updated timetable. We sent emails and text messages to candidates, just to make sure that they got correct information and no one missed a paper.”
Continuous investment in education will boost pupils’ creativity – Chevron Chairman
The Chairman, Chevron Nigeria, Mr Jeff Ewing, has said that only an enduring investment in education that enables pupils to think outside the box, move beyond boundaries and seek different ways to proffer solutions, will equip them for the future. He said this during the grand finale of the 13th NNPC and Chevron National Art Competition For Secondary Schools held on Thursday at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Speaking through the General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, of Chevron, Mr Esimaje Brikinn, Ewing noted that the creative arts promote creativity in children and would equip them in becoming problem solvers.
He said, “The competition is aimed at promoting creativity in Nigerian children by spurring their interests in the creative arts, as well as equipping them for the workplace and the future. For us, an enduring investment in education enables pupils to think outside the box, move beyond boundaries and seek different ways to proffer solutions. As such, the competition is aimed at improving the lives of our young stars. That is why we reward our champions with a full scholarship package to encourage them to keep excelling in their chosen academic fields. We believe this is one way to ensure a better society.
ASUU Strike: We are doing everything possible to call it off
Anwuka who was cornered by Vanguard yesterday (Thursday) during Lafarge Literacy National competition in Lagos said:”We are doing everything possible to ensure that ASUU calls off their strike.” Prof. Anthony Gozie Anwuka Asked when ASUU may likely return to the classrooms, he said: “I don’t know, but we are discussing with them.”
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Buhari has promised to increase the yearly allocation to education sector
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to increase the yearly allocation to education sector as the current five per cent to the sector was inadequate. He said the current allocation to the sector was too small to propel the desired growth of the economy and pointed out that the United Nations target of 26 per cent was ideal. He assured Nigerians that allocations to the sector would be improved as revenue increases and described education as a major engine for the development of any country.