The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government regarding the unchecked commercialization of education in the country.
The Union’s leadership expressed grave concerns over skyrocketing school fees and additional charges, which they argue are making education increasingly inaccessible for Nigeria’s poorer families.
During a one-day capacity-building workshop in Abuja, NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, highlighted the dire consequences of underfunding public primary and secondary schools.
“The underfunding and general neglect of public schools have allowed private providers to set exorbitant fees, gradually putting education out of reach for poor parents and the less privileged,” he stated.
The workshop, organized by NUT in collaboration with Education International (EI) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), also marked the launch of the “Go Public! Fund Education campaign” in Nigeria. This global initiative aims to secure adequate funding for education and the teaching profession, ensuring quality public education for all.
Amba urged the Federal Government to boost educational investments, advocating for budget allocations that meet the internationally recommended benchmarks of 6% of GDP and 20% of the national budget.
“Budgetary allocations to education have remained a far cry from these benchmarks,” he lamented, highlighting that over 18 million children are currently out of school.
He warned against the growing influence of private education providers, whose profit-driven motives threaten the right to education.
“Privatization and commercialization create disparities and social inequalities, turning education into a commodity,” Amba cautioned.
Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, acknowledged the challenges within the sector but assured that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to reforming education, particularly focusing on teacher welfare.
“The standard of education cannot be higher than the quality of teachers,” Dr. Sununu emphasized.
Dr. Dennis Sinyolo, Regional Director of Education International Africa, echoed these sentiments, calling for increased educational investment and technological advancements in teaching methods.
