From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has entered into partnership with Lola Cater For The Needy Foundation, a non-profit organization, to intensify push for inclusive education opportunities especially for vulnerable groups in the society.
The partnership was cemented in Abuja, at the weekend, during the launch of Global Education Commission (GEC), an initiative designed to foster collaboration among education stakeholders to reform and elevate the education system.
Education Programs Manager, UNESCO, Dr. Stephen Onyekwelu, in his remarks at the event, commended Lola Cater For The Needy Foundation for the interest in supporting United Nation’s quest for quality education which is in line with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4).
He said that UNESCO is committed to improving education system in Nigeria, hence it will work closely with governments or private organizations that share similar passion.
“Collectively, we must ensure that by 2030, all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education that could lead to effective learning outcomes; and also push for equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
“Our youths and adults should have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship, and also ensure that gender disparities in education is discouraged by providing vocational trainings for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.
“We must build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all, and also ensure the supply of qualified teachers, with the relevant skills to cope with the demands of 21st century that is ICT driven.”
He told the Foundation that their request for partnership is a welcome development, suggesting a courtesy visit to UNESCO Abuja Office for a technical discussion to identify focus areas of collaboration and the specific target beneficiaries.
Founder of the organization, Ololade Ogunnubi, told journalists, that the Foundation has outlined some measures that would guarantee some progress as regards education opportunities for vulnerable groups in Nigeria.
She said: “Our vision is ambitious but achievable. We have various sub-programs and projects that will be the driving force behind this transformation, and they include the global teachers network, that will connect educators worldwide to share best practices and innovative teaching methods; periodic education podcast that will provide a platform for continuous learning and discussion on critical educational issues.
“There will be School-Teachers-Parents-
“Similarly, there will be school-to-school projects that will promote collaboration and shared learning experiences between institutions; and National Career Day that will help students to explore various career paths and make informed decisions about their futures.”
She appreciated and stressed the importance of supports and collaborations from partners like the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), UNESCO, and several other partners.
Head of Education, NGF, Dr. Ebenezer Leo, in his remarks, said the initiative by the Foundation is a laudable intervention that will help to tackle the issue of poor education and out-of-school children in Nigeria.
“Sadly, the world has gone ahead of us, and it’s talking about effective deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their education system. But in Nigeria, we are still battling with the issue of out-of-school children.”
He was optimistic that the initiative by the Foundation will improve foundational literacy in Nigeria, providing the needed rallying point for all stakeholders within and outside Nigeria to discuss issues of education in Nigeria.
He assured the Foundation of good partnership with the Committee of States Commissioners of Education Nigeria (COSCEN) that will, expectedly, herald improved indices in the Nigeria education sector particularly at the foundational level.
