Dr Ahmed Bobboyi, Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), says the Federal Government is developing the academic and entrepreneurial potentials of young learners.
According to him, this is to make them employable, productive and self-reliant.
He disclosed this at the inauguration and handing over of three Junior Secondary/Vocational Schools in Kebbi on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three schools included; Government Junior Secondary/Vocational School, Nagari College Birnin Kebbi, Government Secondary School, Bagudo and Government Day Secondary School, Ngaski.
The exective secretary described the gesture as the first out of the 51 of such schools being constructed across the country.
Bobboyi added that the construction and equipping of schools marked the beginning of an intensive drive towards ensuring that education at all levels was made relevant and useful to the learner, his community and the country at large.
He said: “The emphasis in schooling is shifting towards developing the academic and entrepreneurial potentials of young learners.
“This is with the intention of equipping them with life sustaining skills that will make them employable, productive, self-reliant, and capable of contributing to the development of their communities and the country at large.”
Bobboyi added that the expectation was that the learners would continue to practice, develop and master the skills acquired at that stage of their lives.
This will make them job and wealth creators, thus reducing unemployment and idleness among the youth.
“It is believed that as long as the youth have some vocations to engage their time and attention, the growing rate of restiveness and social crime will reduce,” he said.
In his speech, Gov. Nasir Idris observed that vocational education plays a crucial role in preparing the young people for the challenges of the modern workforce by equipping them with practical skills and knowledge.
He said: “We are empowering them to succeed in their chosen fields and contribute meaningfully to the economy.
“As a demonstration of my commitment towards the development of education, adequate budgetary provision has been made to establish additional vocational schools across the state.
“It may be of interest to note that during the period, from June 2023 to May 2024, SUBEB had attained significant levels of accomplishment in the construction, renovation, procurement, furnishing and provision of infrastructure to the tune of N8,176,114,000.”
The governor added that in the same vein, under the BESDA programmed, a total sum of N5,9billion was spent on the construction, renovation and training in different locations across the state.
He also said that a number of projects were executed under the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in the state towards boosting the education sector.
Earlier, the Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Tanko-Sununu said the present administration under President Bola Tinubu was making frantic efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children across Nigeria.
He, therefore, stressed the need for additional infrastructure so as to accommodate the newly enrolled out-of-school children. (NAN)
