Panel seeks accurate data on higher institutions’ demands
The team appointed by the Federal Government to renegotiate its 2009 agreements with labour unions in higher institutions would not work with less accurate data.
The team headed by DrWale Babalakin said in a statement that it insisted on resolution of issues based on accurate data and verifiable information. “The team is determined to avoid the pitfalls of previous negotiations which have on certain occasions left loose ends that became the future crises,” it said.
The team said education is facing funding crises and that government should increase its funding of the sector.
It further noted that based on the cost determined by National Universities Commission (NUC) of above $3, (m per student per course per annum) which has been accepted by ASUU, it will require about NI.8 trillion to fund University Education alone, taking due cognizance of the level of enrolment of students.
“This amount of money exceeds the total capital release made under the 2017 budget of the Federal Government,” the statement said.
The team said University Education requires a robust funding from diverse sources and not from the government treasury alone as agreed by the National Council on Education, which confirmed the need to fund education from sources other than the government treasury.
“If the choice is between free education and good quality education, the team prefers the latter,” it said.
The Babalakin led team said whatever money expended in the education sector must be utilised judiciously and that there was need to measure the level of impact of the funding being received ‘by our public universities’ through the identification and measurement of some Key Performance Indicators (KPIS), in line with the practice in developed and most developing economies.
The team said the ongoing negotiation could provide a veritable avenue to make appropriate recommendations that will place the Nigerian University System on the proper pedestal to attain its desired world class status.