The Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, on Monday called for long term sustainable models that capture the educational needs of all students to bridge tertiary institutions’ admission deficits in Nigeria.
Speaking during the hybrid launch of Edutimes Africa Magazine in Lagos, she said the nation must adopt long term strategies for students to learn models that would make them productive citizens.
She said millions of students annually enroll for WAEC and JAMB whereas tertiary institutions had limited admission capacity in hundreds, thereby always leaving a huge deficit.
“Whatever we do, year in, year out we are breaking the hearts of a significant number of our students. So, I am also wondering if it is time for us to look into the model and try to think of more sustainable models,” she said.
The Commissioner called for increased investments in high level technical education, advanced IT and academics, adding that technical education had grown beyond making beads or other crafts.
“We have to build an educational system where every child, no matter what their innate ability, is able to make a choice and go to school and do well,” she said.
Delivering a lecture, Chief Financial Officer, Millbrook First Nation, Canada, Ayo Makanjuola, who joined virtually, said education and economy were closely linked in Africa, as a well-educated workforce will drive economic growth and development.
Speaking on the topic, “Connecting the dots, Education and Economy in Africa,” Makanjuola said the continent has not evolved to a level where it can develop without proper schooling.
“We can’t have growth without having strong human capital to drive it,” he said.
The Keynote speaker, and Founder and CEO, Laterna Ventures, Nigeria, Remi Morgan, reviewed the maiden edition of Edutimes Africa.
He challenged the publishers to always keep the content fresh to remain relevant, while urging them to seek partnerships.
Whatever we do, year in year out we are breaking the hearts of a significant number of our students. So, I am also wondering if it is time for us to look into the model and try to think of more sustainable models.
Funding for education
Chairman, Board of Directors, Bowen Microfinance Bank Ltd., Prof. Segun Ajibola, while delivering his lecture, decried problems in the education sector, including inadequate funding.
Calling for a paradigm shift in education funding in Nigeria, he said: “The 2023 budget for example earmarked about 10 per cent for education. By the time the appropriation bill was approved, it came down to about 8.8% but historically the actual spending has always been less than what is budgeted.
We need a paradigm shift in that area. We also need to cultivate private sector initiatives in funding education in Africa.”
Ajibola called for accountability in management of education funds and a boost in the quality of infrastructure, manpower and policies that highlight the importance of education.
He said without education, individuals and societies were doomed, and expressed the hope that Edutimes Africa will fill vacuums in the continent.
Another speaker from Schneider Electric, Ajibola Akindele, called for various forms of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) including scholarships, donations in the sector.
Speaking on the topic “the Benefits of CSR in the African Education System,” he enumerated efforts of his firm making an impact in the sector, adding that CSR had several benefits including positive brand perceptions.
The Chief Executive Officer/Editor-in-Chief, EduTimes Africa Magazine, Oladapo Akande, said the monthly magazine would be a guide to students and youths to make informed and right choices.
Earlier, Adebiyi Oke, initiator of the project, listed gaps in the education sector and system which the publication seeks to close.
He gave a background of the vision and thanked all team members who worked tirelessly to ensure the birth of the magazine. (NAN)
