The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to tackling corruption in the basic education sector.
Aliyu said this at a three-day capacity-building workshop for State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) and Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) officials on Tuesday, in Abuja.
The workshop is anchored by ICPC training and research arm, the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), in collaboration with the Foundation for Transparency and Accountability.
The chairman was represented by Mrs Grace Agha-Ibe, Director Special Services, ICPC.
Aliyu, who expressed concern over the harm corruption and corrupt practices had caused in the education sector, said that all hands must be on deck to bring the monster under control.
While tasking officials in the sector on promoting transparency and accountability, he expressed worry that lack of transparency and accountability had caused a huge chunk in the sector.
“Corruption is a cancer that ramifies every sector of our national life and the education sector has not been spared. Indeed the lower end of the education ladder has witnessed more of its impact.
“According to the British Council, about one-fifth of the world’s 60 million out-of school children are in Nigeria. Children that are able to access schools typically learn little.
“From enrolment, to the provision of textbooks and equipment, appointment and management of teachers, assessment of teaching and learning processes, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of schools.
“As well as monitoring of projects execution, tales of unpalatable experiences abound.
“Corruption is at the heart of the unpalatable experiences in basic education. Lack of transparency and accountability has led to a huge chunk of corruption in the sector,” he said.
According to him, the direct and indirect impact of this on access and quality of education cannot be overemphasised.
“As critical stakeholders in the basic education sub-sector, officials of SUBEBS and FCT UBEB are expected to live above hoard and also be seen to do so in the discharge of their functions,” he said.
He expressed the determination of the commission to enforce and prevent corruption in the public education sector.
“The ICPC is committed to its enforcement, prevention, and public education functions and ready to partner with the SUBEB and FCT UBEB in eradicating corruption in the basic education sector,” he said.
Prof. Olatunde Babawale, ACAN Provost, in his address of welcome said the workshop demonstrated the participants’ interest in the fight against corruption.
“There is a critical need to expand the band of stakeholders that are dedicated to fighting the war against corruption in Nigeria.
“Given the situation of the education sector and basic education in particular, the war must be fought at every level if we are to achieve sustainable results.
“For us at the Academy, we are driven by the philosophy that corruption and related crimes can be controlled and managed through a system of training and re-training.
“This will produce sound anti-corruption policies, operational efficiency and good management culture. This is why this workshop has been put together,” he said.
He said that the expectation was to achieve two critical outcomes which include promotion of transparency and accountability in the administration of SUBEBs and FCT UBEB.
He said that it also included development of participants’ skills for safeguarding their workplace against corruption and fraud.
The Executive Secretary Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr Hamid Bobboyi, stressed on the need to capacity training for teachers to provide quality education for the nation.
“We should make sure that our teachers are properly trained equipped and well remunerated.
“We need to look into the future, we need to put in all our energy to develop education sector for the future,” he said
He expressed concern that paucity of fund had been a great challenge for the development of education; he therefore called for proper management in the available few resources to develop the education sector in the country.