Basic Education: Edo Plans Full Implementation of FG’s Disarticulation Policy

Funmi Ogundare

The Executive Chairman of Edo State Universal Basic Education ( EdoSUBEB), Mrs. Eyitayo Salami, yesterday, disclosed the state’s readiness to fully implement the federal government’s disarticulation policy, which would ensure that affordable basic education is extended to JSS 3.

Salami made this known at a two-day South-west media dialogue on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State Directorate in collaboration with UNICEF, in Benin City, Edo State. She explained that though the state is yet to practice this system, but its implementation would ensure a more educated youths population at the long run.

“It is not sufficient to stop a child at primary six and we are looking at the transition numbers. When primary school ends at primary six , the number of children that move on and graduate at JSS three drop by at least 50 per cent.

“The idea is to keep children in compulsory education for longer. It will cost the state more, but at the long run, we will have a more educated youth population, understanding that education may mean more educated youths who are skilled and valuable to their environment, understanding that Edo State was popular for illegal migration and better prospects.

“If they were educated, they will understand that there will be better options to stay in Nigeria,” she stressed.

The Edo State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe, emphasised on its different initiatives to eradicate learning poverty, while applauding UNICEF for its efforts in impacting children across the country.

Oviawe noted that the state has embarked on mass literacy initiative especially for ‘out-of- school population.

She said: “We acknowledge all that UNICEF has been doing, on our part, we engage artisans under our mass literacy initiative and learning by correspondence to teach them how to read and write.”

Earlier in her remarks, UNICEF Communication Officer, Mrs. Blessing Ejiofor, appealed to the media to use their power to reduce learning poverty and influence positive policy from decision makers in favour of children.

“We recognise the fact that the media has the power to influence and trigger actions, policies and budget that will favour the children, being the idea behind the media dialogue,” she stated.