FCT teachers want school funding under UBEB
Primary school teachers in the FCT have called for the funding and management of primary schools in the territory to be under the care of the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB).
They also kicked against the local government autonomy being agitated for, saying the local government neither has the financial nor political will to fund and manage primary schools in the country.
Chairman of the FCT branch of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Knabayi Stephen, stated this when he led a peaceful protest with other executive members of the union to the FCT minister’s office in Abuja on Tuesday.
The teachers, who converged at LEA Primary School, Area 10, Abuja, carried placards bearing inscriptions such as ‘No to LG Autonomy with Primary Education’, ‘Our Children’s Future Must be Secured’, ‘Funding of Primary Education Should be the Responsibility of State and FG’, among others, marched to FCDA main gate.
“We want the funding and managing of education funds in the local government allocation be out of the system of local government and be handled by UBEB where we believe things will run well in the education sector in Nigeria,” he added.
The NUT chairman said the union was aware of the Supreme Court’s judgment which, he said, was clearly interpreted on the position of funding of primary education in Nigeria in line with the constitution.
A director in the office of the FCT permanent secretary, Mr. Udo Samuel, while addressing the protesting teachers, commended the union for conducting a peaceful protest, which, he said, was a sign of maturity.
“And I want to assure you that your message here will get to the authorities of the FCTA. And as I speak to you now, my permanent secretary, is eagerly expecting this message,” he said.