[size=18pt] Ogun teachers urge better funding of education [/size]

SECONDARY school teachers in Ogun State have identified over-crowded classrooms, poor teachers' salaries, lack of conducive learning environment, unqualified teachers and poor funding of the education sector as major factors responsible for the falling standard of education in the country.


Recent reports indicate that about 74 per cent of students who sat for last year's West African Examination Council (WAEC) failed.

The teachers, who spoke under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary School Teachers in Nigeria (ASUSS), Ogun chapter, called on the Federal and state governments to allocate 26 per cent of their annual budget as recommended by the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) to funding education sector is to be reversed.

The teachers also called for establishment of National Secondary Education Commission to specifically handle matters relating to secondary school education.

President of the state chapter of ASUSS, Tunde Folarin, who spoke with journalists in Abeokuta, stated that "ASUSS still believes that

governments at all levels should fund education in active compliance with the recommendation of UNESCO by providing 26 per cent for education in their annual budget".

Folarin pleaded that "in the spirit" of Nigeria's 50th Independence anniversary, the various governments should start implementing the new minimum wage as approved by the Federal Government.

On the falling standard of education, Folarin recalled how, in the past, the teaching profession was so attractive that people were proud to belong to it.

"In the past, teachers were knowledgeable and committed. They were dedicated to teaching and were not doing other trades", he said, expressing regret that due to poor remuneration and other factors, the situation has changed in a negative way.

Folarin called on the House of Assembly to enact a law as a matter of urgency to back up the establishment of the office of principal general, an equivalent of a permanent secretary in the civil service.

The teachers also appealed to the state government to re-open two schools, Ajiboyede Comprehensive High School and Ibara-Orile High School "since the two have now met the conditions of re-opening".

Meanwhile, 50 indigent pupils in various public primary schools in Abeokuta-South Local Council of the state were at the weekend offered scholarships by the council to pursue their secondary education.

The council chairman, Yanju Lipede, who announced the gesture during a ceremony held at the Centenary Hall, Abeokuta, also gave awards to 50 senior citizens in the council, whom he said, had distinguished themselves in their various endeavours.

Lipede said the event was part of his council's programmes to mark Nigeria's 50th independence anniversary.

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/oct/15/30.html

And how is Higher salary supposed to lower the failing percentage?

But good call tho.