to download PDF of full document - SPARC Nigeria
to download PDF of full document - SPARC Nigeria
to download PDF of full document - SPARC Nigeria
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
CHAPTER 5: GOAL 2—ACHIEVE UNIVERSAL PRIMARY<br />
EDUCATION<br />
Introduction<br />
The MDG 2 is <strong>to</strong> ensure that by 2015, children<br />
everywhere, boys and girls will be able <strong>to</strong><br />
complete a <strong>full</strong> course <strong>of</strong> qualitative primary<br />
education. The main implementing Ministry is the<br />
Federal Ministry <strong>of</strong> Education in collaboration<br />
with the parastatals/agencies under the Ministry.<br />
The projects and programmes were generally<br />
aimed at increasing enrolment and enhancing<br />
quality through, provision <strong>of</strong> teaching/learning<br />
materials, improving teaching skills through<br />
teacher capacity development and provision and<br />
maintenance <strong>of</strong> schools facilities and<br />
infrastructure. The M&E has noted that the target<br />
indica<strong>to</strong>rs such as net enrolment rates (NER) in<br />
primary schools have declined consistently despite<br />
the increased intake over the years and rigorous<br />
implementation <strong>of</strong> the Universal Basic Education<br />
(UBE) programme since 2004.<br />
The following is a rundown <strong>of</strong> findings according<br />
<strong>to</strong> agencies responsible for implementing some <strong>of</strong><br />
the Goal 2-related projects and programmes in<br />
2009:<br />
Universal Basic Education Commission<br />
The Universal Basic Education Commission<br />
(UBEC) takes charge <strong>of</strong> the Federal Teachers<br />
Scheme. The basic objective <strong>of</strong> the Federal<br />
Teachers Scheme is <strong>to</strong> address the shortage <strong>of</strong><br />
qualified teachers in core subjects in public<br />
primary schools and science-based teachers in<br />
public junior secondary schools across the nation.<br />
It also aims <strong>to</strong> reduce the number <strong>of</strong> unemployed<br />
qualified NCE graduates.<br />
Enlisted NCE graduates undergo induction<br />
training for one week in the core subjects, and ICT<br />
across the country. This has contributed in<br />
reducing the teacher gap in public primary and<br />
junior secondary schools. A <strong>to</strong>tal <strong>of</strong> 34,000<br />
participants were enlisted <strong>to</strong> serve in public<br />
primary schools from January 2009 <strong>to</strong> December<br />
2010. This was in addition <strong>to</strong> the 40,000 that were<br />
enlisted <strong>to</strong> serve from 2006 <strong>to</strong> December 2008,<br />
indicating a <strong>to</strong>tal <strong>of</strong> 74,000 participants from 2006<br />
<strong>to</strong> 2010. This has resulted in the reduction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
pupil/teacher ratios and, in some areas, resulted in<br />
increased access, although issues <strong>of</strong> retention<br />
remain a major challenge.<br />
National Teachers Institute<br />
The National Teachers Institute (NTI) was<br />
responsible for the annual capacity building <strong>of</strong><br />
serving public primary teachers nationwide. A<br />
<strong>to</strong>tal <strong>of</strong> 165,000 primary school teachers were<br />
trained in 2009. The training programme <strong>to</strong>ok<br />
place nationwide in 275 training centres with the<br />
objective <strong>of</strong> training public primary school<br />
Page 18 <strong>of</strong> 150