Nigeria’s minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has said that Public and Private sector collaboration would move the education sector to a higher level.
Nwajiuba comment came during a webinar on Re-Ignite Public Affairs National Dialogue Series. The event was organised by Businessday newspapers.
“We are going to be changing to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), curriculum and enhance it.
“Also, we are stepping up with private sector players because we have realised that we cannot do it alone. It is essential we bring everyone on board through public-private partnerships.
“For instance we have a lot of public schools that are not doing well; so, instead of building new schools, let us concession some of these schools to those who have the capacity to adopt and close-manage them very well.
“These are the kinds of projects we want to do and I proposed this when I was the Chairman of TETFUND,” he said.
Nwajiuba explained that the government did not have all of the funds to manage the schools, hence the plan to concession some of them.
He said that the decision to suspend school resumption was for the purpose of safeguarding learners and teachers.
“Most of the things we are working on are toward carrying learners forward in the new system during this pandemic,” Nwajiuba said.
Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, said COVID-19 has provided Nigeria with a good opportunity to develop its infrastructure.
“The pandemic has exposed the underbelly of the weaknesses of the society and the political class not just in Nigeria but all over the world, hence a good opportunity for us to rethink and reset,” he said.
He said it was not too late for the country to do the needful, noting that commitment, leadership and resources were key in addressing both the content and context of education.
Yomi Okusanya, Group Managing Director of CMC Connect, explained that the aim of the seminar was to discuss key findings to support policy development and direction of government.
