ECN charges Adamawa govt. to increase budget for education to 22.5% annually

From Umar Dankano,Yola

A coalition of Civil society Organisations under the auspices “The Education Champions Network”(ECN) have advised the Adamawa state Government to increase its annual budget for education to at least 22.5%.
The Coalition(ECN) gave the advice at a press briefing in Yola Wednesday stressing that the call for increase in the state level financing for education is in line with the federal government commitment in improving the education sector.
Spokesperson of the group Hassana Shuaibu stated that the CSOs deliberately set basic education agenda for political candidates ahead of the 2023 general elections in the state with a view to ensuring they prioritise education in their manifestos and even after elected in to offices.
Shuaibu announced that records available at their disposal have shown that not only is the standard of education failing but also the rate of out -of – school children particularly the girl child does not give hope for the future of the girls and people in the state (Adamawa).
Shuaibu added that in Adamawa 30.2% of primary school-age children are not enrolled in any school while 32.7% of the girls of primary school age are out of school compared to 27.7% of boys noting that the government must ensure schools are truly free for 12 years.
She maintained that the state should provide counterpart funding to access UBE funds to allow for increased financing of the education sector.
The Coalition appealed to the government to strengthen the education monitoring and evaluation systems by implementing the UNESCO National Education Account to guide proper budget preparation and implementation, and make budgets gender-responsive,transparent and utilized in education.
She further charge the critical stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient strategies to make schools safe.
“The current administration in Adamawa state has done its best by providing free education at the basic education levels but more needs to be done concerning girl child education in the state”.ECN appealed.
“The education manifesto was developed by civil society organisations in Adamawa state under the Election Education Advocacy project being implemented by Ace Charity, Centre-LSD,Inclusion Project,SCAAD Initiative and LEDAP to ensure political candidates prioritise education in their manifestos.
“The project is part of the joint Action Grant supported by Malala Fund”, Shuaibu explained.