Reps to make free education fundamental right of Nigerians

House of Representatives on Thursday began move to enforce free, compulsory basic education in the country.

The House also took steps to make free education a fundamental right of every Nigerian child, irrespective of status of the parents.

The Bill, sponsored by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to make free, compulsory and basic education a fundamental right of all citizens under Chapter Four.

Gbajabiamila described education as the engine for national development, adding that this presupposes that a country cannot develop when a chunk of its population still wallows in illiteracy.

The Speaker expressed sadness that statistics showed that the level of illiteracy in Nigeria was high, adding that this accounts for the low level of development.

He noted that the growth and development of any nation depends largely on the quantity and quality of all segments of its population.

Gbajabiamila said reports suggested that 38 percent of Nigerians are illiterates, noting that Nigeria cannot develop if nothing is done to educate Nigerians.

This was despite the launching of Universal Primary Education (UPE) about 33 years ago, and the huge amount of money invested in education.

Gbajabiamila said: “The world is now a global village with computer and electronic revolution. Today, we talk of cashless society, online business, online examination, online applications for anything and e-voting. We cannot achieve all these without at least basic education for all Nigerians.

“We cannot remain relevant in the world of business and politics, if the government cannot secure or guarantee basic education for the people. The best and fastest way of achieving this is to make free, compulsory basic education a fundamental right of every Nigerian.

“The fastest way of growing our economy and providing employment for people is to empower the people with a very important weapon; education.”

– The Nation