COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE 17TH FOMWAN NATIONAL EDUCATION SUMMIT, HELD AT ADE SUPER HOTEL, AKURE, ONDO STATE FROM 19TH TO 21st JULY 2017
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) in active collaboration with its Ondo State Chapter held its 17th National FOMWAN Education Summit at Ade Super Hotel Akure, Ondo State from the 19th to the 21st July, 2017.
Two hundred participants representing twenty-nine states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), comprising of the members of the Board of Trustees, Chairpersons of Committees, Zonal Coordinators, State Amirahs, and Chairpersons of State Education Committees.
His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Her Excellency, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu were ably represented by the Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Mrs. Titi Adeyemi. Also ably represented at the session by Mr. Salihu Owamoye was the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr Steve Awosika.
The opening ceremony was chaired by a prominent philanthropist, Chief Mrs. Zikrah Aduke Akanbi. Distinguished religious leaders present include the Chairman of the Ondo State Chapter of Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs and the Chief Imam of Araromi Obu, Alhaji (Imam) Abeebullah Akinpelumi, the Chairman, Ondo State League of Imams and Alfas, Alhaji Sheikh (Dr) Ahmad Olagoke Aladesawe.
Technical inputs were made to the success of the Summit by Professor Abdulrasheed Aderinoye of the University of Ibadan who gave the keynote address on “The Management and Funding of Primary Education in Nigeria”. Other technical partners include Professor Isiaq Amoo of Federal University of Technology Akure, Dr. Sidiqat Shodeinde from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba and Dr Fasasi from the University of Ilorin.
The Topics covered during the Summit include: “Basic Education in Nigeria: A Critical Appraisal”; “Community Participation in Funding of Education: The Role of Stakeholders; and “Public/Private Partnership and Funding of Education”.
Observations and Recommendations
After extensive deliberations on the theme and sub-themes, FOMWAN made the following observations and recommendations:
Inadequate budgetary allocation: FOMWAN observes the persistent under-funding of education at all levels over the years through inadequate budgetary allocations at the Federal, State and Local Government levels. This has resulted into inefficient service delivery in the Education sector with its attendant consequences of poor learning outcomes among learners, inadequate infrastructures and loss of confidence among Stakeholders in the sector.
To fulfill its mandate of providing quality education for the millions of Nigerian Children, FOMWAN recommends the adoption by Government of the recommended percentage of 26% budgetary allocation to education by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). We believe this will improve the quality of Education and facilitate access for the seven million out of school children.
Budget Tracking: FOMWAN laments the little participation of Civil Society Organizations in the preparation and monitoring of the Federal, State and Local Government Budgets, especially Education Budgets. We therefore recommend the full participation of Civil Society Organizations in Budget tracking to ensure that the amount budgeted is released timely and is judiciously used for project implementation.
Corruption: FOMWAN decries the destructive effects of corruption on the education sector as indicated by poor quality school infrastructure, recruitment of unqualified teachers especially in rural areas and uncompleted school buildings by contractors in collaboration with Government Officials. Thus Corruption has caused the Government and people colossal loss of resources but has also denied millions of children their right to Education. To curb these wastages and improve Nigeria of meeting the sustainable development programs on Education, FOMWAN calls on parents and other Stakeholders to actively monitor school projects in their Communities to ensure value for money.
Role of Stakeholders in Education: FOMWAN acknowledges the fact that the current economic recession has made it impossible for Government to fund Education alone. In the light of the above, we wish to underscore the critical role Stakeholders can play to salvage the Schools. Therefore, FOMWAN calls on all Education Stakeholders at all levels to rally round Government and contribute significantly towards the sustainability of the schools in their Communities.
Redundant Inspectorate/Quality Assurance Departments: FOMWAN is concerned about the little or no support received by the Inspectorate/Quality Assurance Departments in the Education sector for effective monitoring of teaching and learning in schools, thereby breeding redundancy among the staffs, and laxity at the school level. To make the Inspectorate/Quality Assurance result-oriented, FOMWAN recommends the adequate funding of the units as well as appropriate staff training by the Government. We also call on the Quality Assurance Department to consider the adoption of the participatory monitoring approach by including Communities in the school monitoring exercises.
Non-challant attitude of Muslims: Finally, FOMWAN observes the non-challant attitude of most Muslims towards the funding of education despite the Islamic injunction making the acquisition of knowledge mandatory on all Muslims, men and women. Wealthy Muslims are enjoined to take up the challenge of funding education to combat ignorance, poverty and underdevelopment among the Ummah.
Hajiya Amina Omoti Dr Lateefa M. Durosinmi,
National Amirah Chairperson, National Education Committee.
