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The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I, on Thursday in Abuja inaugurated committees on the development of National Systems aimed at transforming the education sector.
Rufa’I said on the occasion that while efforts had been made over the years to turn around the sector, certain systems that served as foundation for quality and functional education had been neglected.
She said efforts at developing a four-year strategic plan for the sector had drawn attention to the need for systems that would ensure total transformation of the sector.
``Particular attention has been paid to developing sustainable national systems in guidance and counselling, quality assurance, teacher development, monitoring of learning achievement, educational management information system among others.’’
Rufa’I said progress was being made in addressing access to education, and stressed the need to guide children towards playing useful roles in the society.
``This is important, because what happens in the early stages of schooling can affect later performance in the academic and social environment. Attention must be given to availability of teachers who can efficiently communicate the curriculum."
The minister, who also inaugurated a committee on Educational Exhibitions, said that educational institutions had continued to produce materials and equipment that could enhance economic and social development of the country.
``Unfortunately, most of these products are not yet in the public domain because the opportunity to do this is not there,’’ she said.
She said the ministry was planning a national exhibition that would bring institutions and inventors together with the aim of linking them with private investors.
``This will help commercialisation of the products, thereby creating jobs, providing varieties of products and reducing costs of equipment and materials,’’ Rufa’Ishe said.
The committees inaugurated are Guidance and Counselling, Quality Assurance, Teacher Development Needs, Assessment/Teacher Professional Development Framework, Monitoring of Learning Achievement and Committee on Educational Exhibitions.
Mr Ben Ibe, the Permanent Secretary of Education, called on the various committees to come up with definite reports that would hasten the development of the education sector.
