The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Boboye has said that the country needed additional 20,000 schools and 907,769 classrooms to absorb the growing number of out-of-school Children.
Dr. Boboye disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday while briefing the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman and the minister of State, Dr. Yusuf Sununu.
He identified Infrastructural gaps, inadequate manpower as some of the challenges facing the Commission in its efforts towards ensuring equitable access to quality basic education.
UBEC boss said that Nigeria is struggle with a persistent challenge of out-of-school children, which not only hampers individual prospects but also poses a significant obstacle to our development.
Boboye maintained that the issue of out-of-school children is not the sole responsibility of the UBEC or the Federal Ministry of Education, advising that it requires a collective effort from government agencies, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals.
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman said that the ministry under him would prioritize basic education in the country.
He emphasized that the foundation level was the most critical segment in the sector that must be properly developed in order to impact positively on other tiers of the sector and overall national
development.
