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Quality Education - Minister Canvasses Public/Private Partnership

Daily Trust
16 Oct. 2008

The Minister of Education, Dr Igwe Aja-Nwachukwu, yesterday stressed the need for partnership between government and civil society Organisations (CSOs) in ensuring quality education.

Aja-Nwachukwu, who made the call in Abuja at a workshop for civil society groups, said both the government and CSOs had a responsibility to ensure accountability, credibility, efficiency and innovation in the sector. "This, to me, is a collective obligation we owe our fellow citizens and the Nigerian nation," he said.

The minister said the partnership was imperative because government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of providing quality education. "Certainly, its resources and efforts alone are far short of the requirements for sustainable quality education provision at all levels," he said.

"For too long, government alone has been saddled with the task of not only providing almost all the resources for public education but also the sole responsibilities of policy development, management and quality assurance," Aja-Nwachukwu said. According to him, private sector inputs and involvement have been rather minimal and largely uncoordinated. This constitutes a hindrance to the development of education in the country.

"The contribution and participation of the private sector including the civil society groups are essential. Indeed, active private sector involvement and collaboration with government are crucial to achieving the aims of the ongoing education sector reform," the minister said. He pointed out that to foster this partnership, government was strategically engaging the private sector to assist in capacity development and the provision of other incentives for effective quality education delivery.

Aja-Nwachukwu said government recognised non governmental organisations (NGOs) as major stakeholders, key allies and frontline advocates for the provision of quality education in the country. "We are therefore, determined in our resolve to assist in improving your capacities and working relations with the ministry," Aja-Nwachukwu said.

Copyright © 2008 Daily Trust

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