The Minister of Education, Prof. Olatunji Alausa, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would ensure that children remain in school, dismissing speculations of an impending strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Alausa gave the assurance while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the Gender and Inclusion Summit organised by the Policy Innovation Centre in Abuja.
“We will keep our children in school. I can assure you that ASUU will not go on strike. This is a responsible government and we will ensure our children stay in school,” he said.
The minister said government was engaging ASUU and other trade unions with mutual respect, noting that there was no need to make details of private discussions public.
ASUU has been in talks with government over the non-implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN Agreement, which covers funding of universities, revitalisation of the university system, unpaid salary arrears, stalled promotions, and unremitted third-party deductions, among others.
On reforms in the education sector, Alausa said the Federal Government had commenced migration of West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations to computer-based testing (CBT) to reduce malpractice.
“We believe that computer-based testing is a major step to reduce examination malpractices in our country. By November, WAEC exams will begin with CBT for objective papers while essay sections will remain on paper. By next year, both will be fully CBT,” he explained.
He added that plans were in place to integrate underserved communities and children with disabilities into the CBT process, including transporting students from areas without ICT infrastructure to designated centres.
Also speaking at the summit, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said women were breaking barriers in various sectors, disclosing that over 40 per cent of Nigeria’s key commercial banks are currently headed by women.
She said women now occupy 22 per cent of leadership positions in the country, higher than the global average of 20 per cent, adding that closing the gender gap could add as much as 229 billion dollars to Nigeria’s GDP by 2030.
The summit, with the theme “New Voices and New Approaches for Accelerating an Inclusive Society”, brought together stakeholders to promote inclusion and systemic change across the country.
