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The federal government is to set up a ministerial task force to
implement a new plan to develop the educational sector and provide
opportunities for over 10 million children that are out of school, the Minister
of Education, Ruqayyatu Ahmad Rufa’i, said yesterday in Dutse, Jigawa State.

She said the number of school age children who are out of school
is causing a lot of concern to the government, hence the decision to develop
the new policy.

“Already, the government is making effort to expand access to
education by accrediting more institutions to be degree-awarding ones,
especially the colleges of education and polytechnics,” she said.

The minister said quality of students, teacher education,
infrastructural development, examinations problems and technical and vocational
education, will be given top priority under the dispensation. In particular,
she said, the government was very worried about the lingering problems in the
education sector.

“Education is the bedrock for even development; any society that
wants to progress must give this singular sector deserving attention and that is
why the government had fashioned out the one-year strategic development plan
which would be implemented religiously,” said the minister.

Making a difference

Mrs Rufa’i said the new idea was to ensure a positive change in
the education sector within the period earmarked, pointing out that the concern
of the government is to ensure growth and development in the critical areas of
the nation’s education sector.

“We have had so many ministers of education in this country; my
desire is to show the difference by making a positive impact within the short
period possible,” she said. “With good and quality education, Nigeria could be
a wonder in the world.” While appreciating the concern and efforts of previous
administration in the sector, she said every administration must find a way of
impacting on the lives of the populace.

The Minister, however, charged parents and guardians to always
reciprocate government gestures by supplementing its efforts, saying education
is the responsibility of all.