Ei-iE

EI affiliate the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has faulted the implementation of Universal Basic Education (UBE) programmes in the country, saying that the fundamental principles and policy of UBE are being compromised.

Abdulwaheed Ibrahim Omar, president of NUT, said that school fees were currently being charged in some states of the federation against the policy of the UBE. He said that the implementation of the UBE programmes across the country was haphazard and that basic requirements for the effective implementation of the programme were absent. "Infrastructure, such as buildings and furniture, are still lacking. We suggest an egalitarian implementation of the UBE programmes in the interest of nation building". Omar stressed the need for an active participation of women in education and trade union activities. He said that women had critical and imperative roles to play in the development of the country and that the NUT would encourage them to participate in the union's activities. He also called for the establishment of a national education labour relations council in line with the 2005 Pretoria Declaration on Teachers by International Labour Organisation (ILO), SADC and Nigeria. According to Omar, the establishment of the council would ensure social dialogue between employers of labour in the education sector and teachers.