The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All, on the 9th and 10th of March, 2020, played host to 210, NGOs, CBOs, Youth Groups, Women Organizations, Students Union and FBOs from all over Nigeria, at a 2day National Education Conference in Abuja.
The conference which was declared open by the Hon. Minister of States for Education, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, had also the representatives of the Hon. Minister of States, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDG (SSAP-SDG), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, international Donor Organizations; Malala Foundation, Plan International, Actionaid Nigeria.
The conference deliberated on issues of partnerships, education financing and Strong social accountability mechanism as a tool to achieving the sustainable development goals.
With 200 plus advocates engaging with government at all levels, it is convenient to say that Nigeria is moving in the right part to achiving sustainable development, if the enabling platforms are enable. SDGs4 Pakistan Global Advocacy for African Affairs
A well come remarks presented at the Civil Society National Education Conference 2020, held at the Barcelona Hotel WuseII 9th of March, 2020,
Protocols
The Hon Minister of State for Education
The Honorable Minister of state for Education
Executive Secretaries of Departments and Agencies
Permanent Secretariats.
The president of the World bank ably represented
Heads of Diplomatic Corps
Funders and Development Partners
Board, Coordinators and Members of the CSACEFA
Media Executives present
Ladies and Gentle Men
Mallam Kabiru Aliyu National Moderator CSACEFA
Introduction
It is with a large and profound heart of gratitude that I well come you to this first of its kind Civil Society National Education Conference, holding today and tomorrow. We cannot thank you enough for answering short notice leaving other very important schedules.
To some, we will say that the Conference is long overdue, to some it could not have come at a better time than this, and to us at CSACEFA, it is the biggest moment for use, especillay in our quest o advocating and working towards quality and inclusive education, promoting Gender in Education, through Gender at the center and Gender Responsive Education Sectors and strengthening partnership.
It is a common axiom amongst us that education is the key to national development and economic empowerment. And we all cannot agree less that Education in Nigeria needs urgent attention, in all spheres and at every level, whether Formal or Non Formal sector. We cannot but appreciate the federal government for the laudable policies, the various acts/laws promoting right to education and dignity for all like the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act 2003, the Child right Act 2004, National Policy on Inclusive Education, National Policy on Gender, which presently being reviewed by the federal Government with support from UNICEF. Also the international communities for their presence in supporting the policies of the federal government; World Bank, Global Partnership for Education, USAID, the MacArthur foundation, United Nation Agencies, the private sector and all the Civil Society Organizations working in their different capacities.
These presence and efforts so laudable, we have continued to witness increasing rate of out of school children especially the girl child. (The statistics we have today points to the fact that there are 13.2 Million out of school children in Nigeria. 68% percent of this number of out of school children are girls), ill equipped public schools, inadequate infrastructures declining learning outcomes, School related gender based violence, a non-Gender Responsive Education Sector plans, Low budgetary allocation and disbursement of education funds, states not accessing education funds and all the challenges.
For us as CSACEFA we have asked ourselves continually, what could be the cause of these, even with the monies and support from local and international bodies. The quest was not too far from us as it was reading glaring on our faces even among CSACEFA Members: Lack of partnership leading to unhealthy competition, Weak or even the lack of Social Accountability mechanism for knowledge sharing and even when such exited, CSOs and even government hold back information. All these makes monitoring of policies, programs and projects difficult if not impossible. Hence this conference with the Theme: Strengthening Advocacy for Partnership, Engagements, Reforms and Monitoring: A Panacea for Sustainable, Inclusive and Quality Education for all
Honorable Minister Sir, recall at the GPE replenishment in Dakar 2019, the federal government pledged to raise education budgetary allocation to 15%. This is 2020 and the budget is still hanging at a little above 7%. Needles to compare us to other countries in Africa like Ghana and other whose national education budget is 25% and above. This conference honorable minister will like to request that the replenishment pledge we made before the whole world be consciously implemented. This will go a long way to solving the educational issues we have in this country.
The sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal has provided a pointer to us, we cannot achieve the 16 goals without partnership, even SDGs 4 and 5 which is our main focus cannot be achieved if within us we can not partner
This two-day conference therefore is to
Provide a platform for National, local NGOs and partners the opportunity to share their works in the education sector and chart a way forward on achieving inclusive and quality education.
Provide a platform for CSOs engagement and networking towards educational development and achieving Education 2030 in Nigeria.
Further strengthen the capacity of CSOs on their roles in ensuring the delivery of education programs towards increasing enrollment and retention, transition and completion of basic and secondary education.
Provide opportunity for government to commit to the financing, efficient and effective delivery of education programs and projects in Nigeria.
Create avenue for CSOs and citizens to annually develop and derive policy positions on education delivery in Nigeria.
Honorable minister, Partners funders and CSOs. This conference is quite remarkable coming at a time when the world is celebrating the international women day, the decade of of action and marking 20years of the establishment of CSACEFA. What ever decisions we take here today while remain historical, pointing to how serious we are in solving the intersecting education challenges in Nigeria.
Before i close this speech, I will like to thank in a special way the National Coordinator, Nigeria Partnership for education Project (NIPEP) and Team Mr Achede Joseph, the World Bank Team headed by Dr. Adekola and the Federal Ministry of Education for the Support in ensuring that this conference was called at this critical time of our nations education sector challenges.
Once again, on behalf of the Members, Board, partners and staff of CSACEFA, we say thank you for coming and do hope that our deliberation in this two days of gathering will place us on the right path to partnership for quality and inclusive education.
Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA) began the year 2020 on building and strengthening the coalition and increasing the visibility of the coalition. states chapters in the 36 states of the Coalition held regular monthly meetings in the months of January and February, 2020. The meetings which were held at different locations, discussed issues around the building of the coalition and the Strengthening of members capacities.
States Chapters Monthly Meetings
Abia State Members of CSACEFA
On the 13th of January 2020, Abia State CSACEFA conducted the first meeting of the year. Highlights of the meeting was the review of 2019 activities, Successes, Failures and way forward, Payment of National and State annual dues. The meeting also deliberated and make plans on the on key initiatives for 2020 and plans towards achieving the sustainable Development Goals, Leave no Child behind, education 2030 and the continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2063. The first meeting also made plans on an advocacy to Abia State Universal Basic Education Board and Commissioner for Education on the issue of closure of private schools abruptly.
The State also held the February meeting on the 6th of February 2020. Highlights include:
Reports. of 2019 activities to the National office. on course.
Membership Drive: Registration of new members and payment of annual dues by all including areas.
Gombe
Gombe State presenting Policy ask to the Commissioner
Also, on the 30th January 2020, CSACEFA Gombe State held her monthly general meeting. At the meeting issues on building coalition and strengthening the membership base at that level were discussed. The following resolutions were made;
1- Continue with the campaign for state government to pay WAEC fees to the students that passed the mock exams. The government reviewed the marks upward and drops some students from the pass list to reduce cost.
2- Call on registered members to pay their annual dues and new ones to pay their registration fees.
3- Work plan for 2020 was presented and some inputs were made to it. Conclusion for final adoption will be done at the next meeting.
4- World Education Day will be celebrated in a rural Community called Zangomari. This community was chosen because, finding shows that the people in this particular community do not allow their children to attend school. As a result, the coalition will conduct advocacy and sensitization activities to the community sensitizing them on the important of education.
OGUN
CSACEFA Ogun State Chapter Monthly Meeting Held at
the Ogun CSOs Secretariat
Ogun State Coordinator
State reports on Celebration of the Day of Africa Child as supported by CSACEFA national officeReports on High level advocacy visit to the New Ogun State House of Assembly with logistics support from the CSACEFA national.
Report by Life Agenda Initiatives on Observance of World Literacy Day with a one-day stakeholder’s forum, an annual event supported by CSACEFA National.
Issues on the national Conference Online Form as filled by members.
Proposed Advocacy to PS Education.
Initiating lobbying strategies to further engage SUBEB
Interested new members were encouraged to regularise membership with the national office.
The meeting was presided by the State Coordinator, Mrs. ADEBANJO T. A.
7 member organizations registered by national were present in the meeting
Capacity Strengthening of Members
The coalition in the month of January 2020, began the year with strengthening of the capacity of members at the state level. Different states have planned and executed capacity building workshop. The Lagos State chapter of CSACEFA on the 22nd of January 2020, held a One-Day Capacity Building workshop for the Lagos state members. The team capacity was built on
The Case for Strategic Planning in Not-for-Profit Organizations: A Proactive Approach
Building Capacity in Not-for-Profits to Create Greater Impacts: Leaving Nothing to Chance where their skills was strengthened on Advocacy, campaigns and mobilization. A total of 34 members attended the workshop and facilitators were sourced from with the members who are experts in the various topics.
CSACEFA Engages with Policy Makers and Parliaments at the states and National Levels.
A lot of efforts have been put in place by states and national team to place the coalition as the voice of the marginalized in the education sector, and partnering with other civils society in Nigeria. with this in mind, the coalition in the months of January and February
Review of National policy on Gender in Basic Education
Lagos state CSACEFA members developing State work plan
The federal Ministry of Education in the month of February 2020, with support from UNICEF began the review of the National policy on Education. A 2-day meeting was held with education expert and partners to review develop the data collection instrument and also review the policy. CSACEFA was represented at the development of the review held at the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.
Local Education Group meeting.
The Local Education group meeting which in the context of Nigeria is referred to as National Education Group (NEG) holds every 1st Tuesday of every month. The Coalition at the national level attended the January and February (21st and 5th Respectively) meeting of the NEG, and was chaired by the Honorable Minister of State for Education. At the NEG, partners and stakeholders discussed issues around education programs and projects in Nigeria like the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) and other Projects. The NEG is also conducting the review of Monitoring learning Assessment (MLA), Developing the National Education Sector Plan (National/ESP), Updating the Ministerial Sector plan (MSP) using the Education Sector Analysis (ESA)
Kano State 3rd Education Week
CSACEFA Member on the 9th January, 2020 participated at the 3rd Kano State Education Week at Kano State Universal Basic Education Board headquarters, Kano. At the event there was distribution of Instructional materials to schools by the His Excellency Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Kano state Governor, those also in attendance where school authorities, CSOs, media and other stakeholders.
In Another Development, Members in Gombe State participated in a one-day interactive session organized for head teachers in Gombe Local Government Area by Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). The Executive Chairman, Mr. Babaji Babadidi, directed teachers in public schools across the state to enroll their children in public schools, to enhance performance and also make the teachers serious and dedicated to their work.
Meanwhile, On the 28th January 2020 members of Gombe state visited some media houses in Gombe to discuss areas of partnership for community sensitization and awareness. The following media organizations were visited Vision FM, Radio Nigeria (Jewel FM)
Progress Radio
Ray power
NTA Gombe
Amana FM.
A press statement was presented by the coalition pointing out some Basic and Secondary education needs in the state. Key of which is in the area of encouraging students’ retention and completion of basic and secondary education. The press statement jointly signed by all the members requested the Gombe state government to Subsidize enrollment fees of the West Africa Examination Council to enable indigent students enroll for the external exams in the state. They intend to visit Correspondence chapel, follow up with Amana FM and take advocacy request letter to the speaker Gombe State House of Assembly.
KWARA
Kwara State Coordinator
On Thursday 30th January, 2020. CSACEFA Kwara paid advocacy visit to the Honorable Commissioner for Social Development (Mrs Deborah Abosede Aremu) to congratulate her and raise concern about some issues affecting our children’s access to quality education.
Some of the issues raised includeThe rate at which children of school age hawk/roam the streets and markets during School hours.
b) The increasing rate at which girls are being abused sexually both by parents, guardian etc
c) Child labour, child/forced marriage etc.
d) Empowerment for women and drop out children through skill acquisition.
e) Inclusion of rural women and children in the state programs.
Celebration of International Events
Gombe State CSACEFA on Saturday 8th February, 2020 celebrated “International Day of Education” at Zangomari village in Akko LGA. Community members have no regards to formal education system. CSACEFA members sensitized them on its significance. They appreciate CSACEFA for the sensitization.
SUCCESS RECORDED
1- sensitizing the community on significance of the formal education system.
2- Education committee of the community and CSACEFA agreed to meet BESDA for the enrollment of children to school.
3- CSACEFA on behalf of the community will meet with the Education Secretary of LG for posting of teachers to the community.
4- the community understands and pledged to provide some basic necessities to the teachers when posted for retention purpose.
5- CSACEFA will discuss with the district head and other relevant stakeholders for the recruitment of 3 persons that have NCE in the community for them to be able to maintain effective teaching and learning in the school.
The community wholeheartedly rejected the present school due to some beliefs. Since 1985 that the school graduated 40 students to date the school has never graduated a single person.
The community constructed a block of 2 classrooms last year at a different location which is currently serving as the school for the community.
World Cancer Day
Gombe State CSACEFA on Saturday 8th February, 2020 celebrated “International Day of Education” at Zangomari village in Akko LGA. Community members have no regards to formal education system.
CSACEFA members sensitized them on its significance. They appreciate CSACEFA for the sensitization.
SUCCESS RECORDED
1- sensitizing the community on significance of the formal education system.
2- Education committee of the community and CSACEFA agreed to meet BESDA for the enrollment of children to school.
3- CSACEFA on behalf of the community will meet with the Education Secretary of LG for posting of teachers to the community.
4- the community understands and pledged to provide some basic necessities to the teachers when posted for retention purpose.
5- CSACEFA will discuss with the district head and other relevant stakeholders for the recruitment of 3 persons that have NCE in the community for them to be able to maintain effective teaching and learning in the school.
The community wholeheartedly rejected the present school due to some beliefs. Since 1985 that the school graduated 40 students to date the school has never graduated a single person.
The community constructed a block of 2 classrooms last year at a different location which is currently serving as the school for the community.
In the month of January and February 2020, the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All National Secretariat received the GPE team in the office.
Key issues discussed was the areas of civil society engagement with government to support the implementation of the GPe projects in Nigeria. the Team Sudah, Baeten Sven and Sigsgaaro Morten, appreciated the contribution on CSACEFA in the education processes especially at the grass root and supporting the grant processes in the GPE states.
THEME: STRENGTHENING ADVOCACY FOR PARTNERSHIP, ENGAGEMENTS, REFORMS AND MONITORING: A PANACEA FOR SUSTAINABLE, INCLUSIVE AND QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL
Background
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Chapter 2 Section 18 provided that education should be the role of the states and federal government. In line with the constitution, Over the years, from the independence, the federal and states government have made efforts in ensuring that education is well attended. The responsibility on education led to the formulation and review of policies over the years, though not without challenges. In the wake of the millennium, the federal government reformed the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and enacted the Universal Basic Education Act in 2004; the Act provided for Free Education for Early child hood Development, primary Schools Education and the Junior Secondary. The Act made provision for special intervention and counterpart funding from the states and the FCT which included the provision of basic infrastructures like fencing, construction and rehabilitation blocks of classrooms and toilet/wash facilities.
In Nigeria the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) was also established to oversee and look deeply into the cause of the academic challenges confronting the universities, the fund was also set up for Polytechnics and colleges of education.Nigeria has a lot of policies on education, these laudable reform policies and reforms notwithstanding, but implementation, delivery and monitoring of these policies and acts especially with the duty bearers have always been a challenge. Recently the Child Right Act was enacted by the federal government, the act also made provision for the right to education and self-dignitary for all children in Nigeria.
The civil society group which is the voice and intermediary of the government and the citizen has conducted several advocacies to relevant stakeholders in the education sector to review some of these policies that are outdated and push for the passage of bills that will help in restructuring the education sector, and achieving the SDG 4.
Apart from the federal government budget on education and other intervention projects especially on the Basic Education, Nigeria has received several interventions from international donor organizations in the form of direct grants and intervention on education, these interventions included the, Girls Education Projects, the Nigeria Education Initiative, the Global Partnership for Education. These projects have assisted girls financially and academically ensuring they graduate and have all the skills necessary to make life decisions, provide infrastructure in schools and train female Teachers.On yearly basis, the federal and states government budgets for education in their various capacities, International and local Organizations in Nigeria also carry out several of education interventions.
These interventions are mainly geared towards supporting the efforts of the governments at different levels and comes in the form of grants to support School improvement, Teachers Education, support organizational development. The Federal Ministry of Education, through the Nigeria Partnership for Education (NIPEP) working closely with the International Development partners, United States Agency for International Development, Department of Foreign and International Development (DFID), UNICEF, and other Donors and have contributed to the education space of the country.
This projects and intervention in Nigeria were closely implemented in partnership and collaborations with the government of Nigeria and Civil Society Organizations (CSACEFA) at the National and states levels.With huge budgets by the Federal Government and other intervening organizations it has appeared that a gap has existed over time especially in the areas of harnessing all the efforts of the interventions made, to have a standard education system in Nigeria. to this end, a conference is intended to bring some of these challenges into the attention of all stakeholders through a Civil Society National Education Conference (CNEC), using intervention results and data for advocacy by CSOs in Nigeria. It will also bring to lime light the interventions and advocacies of different Civil Society Organizations, International Development Agencies, and government (s) in Nigeria.
The world Bank has been supporting education development in Nigeria since the first republic towards ensuring quality education from basic education to tertiary. And it appears CSOs in Nigeria especially at the grass root are not taking advantage of the opportunities to support the processes at that level.Based on the premise of the activities of Donor Agencies, Local and International Organizations, the Civil Society Organizations and the private sector in Nigeria, CSACEFA will be organizing a two days National Education Conference, where issues of national concerns will be discussed for educational sustainability.
About CSACEFA
The Civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA), is an umbrella body of over 600 NGOs, CBOs and FBOs working in the area of education in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Since 2000 when the coalition was formed in the run up of the World Education Forum (WEF) in Dakar, the coalition has been in the forefront of education issues in the country engaging with the government and education partners in developing, monitoring and campaigning for quality education for all. CSACEFA is a member of the Africa Network Campaign on Education for All (ANCEFA) and the Global Campaign on Education (GCE). She is also a member of UNESCO Collective consultation of NGOs on literacy and EFA (CCNGO).
Conference Goal; The national conference is premised on the following goals
To strengthen partnership with intervention partners and donors in Nigeria
To increase the participation and involvement of CSOs in the delivery of education programs and policies in Nigeria.
Provide a platform for the dissemination of intervention projects’ results in Nigeria to the government of Nigeria, International organizations and Civil Society Organizations.
Objective; The objective of the education conference is to:
Further strengthen the capacity of CSOs on their roles in ensuring the delivery of education programs towards increasing enrollment and retention, transition and completion of basic and secondary education.
Provide a platform for National, local NGOs and partners the opportunity to share their works in the education sector within the year and chart a way forward on achieving inclusive and quality education.
Provide a platform for CSOs engagement and networking towards educational development and achieving Education 2030 in Nigeria.
Provide opportunity for government to commit to the financing, efficient and effective delivery of education programs and projects in Nigeria.
Create avenue for CSOs and citizens to annually develop and derive policy positions on education delivery in Nigeria.
Content
The two-day National Education Conference will encourage reflection, discussion and capacity building around the following
Dissemination on facts and findings on the monitoring and implementation of education intervention projects in Nigeria by Donor organizations and CSOs
Provide leadership training on Organizational / Institutional Management and visioning for CSOs in Nigeria
Engage in discussion around the role of CSOs in ensuring the implementation of education policies, programs and project in Nigeria.
Discuss processes and procedures for engagement with government and other development partners in the implementation of grants and projects in Nigeria.
Chart a way forward in Achieving SDG 4 through partners’ collaboration, education financing and Genders Responsive approaches.
Target audience
The conference is expected to bring together 300 education advocates and expert from all the 36 states of the federal Republic of Nigeria. To include, CSOs (CBOs, FBOs, NGOs), Government Ministries Department and Agencies, International education Partners, diplomatic corps members and youths Organizations and staffs.
Date and Location: The conference will hold in the month of February 2020, in Abuja the federal capital territory.
Venue: The conference will hold in Abuja at the Plot 779, Cadastral Zone AO, P.M.B 140, Central Business District, Abuja, FCTEvent formatThe conference is intended for a two-day event that will include
Plenary,
Panel sessions
Break-out sessions,
paper presentation,
education fair
side events
Presentation and dissemination of monitoring reports by donors ,
Advocacy briefs, and
Raise communique on education projects delivery and funding in Nigeria.
There will also be training on the
Strategic Advocacy and effective Organizational/Institutional Management for Civil Society Organizations
Strategic Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) for CSOs.
The plenary session will set the tone for the conference, lay foundation on the break out session, entertain the presentation and dissemination of monitoring reports and updates from CSCACEFA, World Bank, FME-NIPEP, MacArthur Foundation, USAID, and other partners.
Co-hosts
The conference will be co-hosted by the Nigeria Partnership for Education and the World Bank.
A technical working planning committee will be set up, the committee will constitute of CSACEFA Staff at the National Secretariat and appointed members of CSACEFA resident in Abuja. The role of the committee will be to have a committee that will plan for the conference, develop conference rules and procedures and co communicate to the expected participants.Communication and Dissemination in preparation of the conference, all committee members will be duly communicated on the time, day and venue for the planning meeting, at least 3 meetings will be held before the conference.
Conference Structure
To have successful conference, the conference planning activities and events will take the following structure. October 2019: Inauguration of Conference committee
October 2019 to December, 2019 Conference Committee meeting
December 23rd 2019 to January 30th 2020Conference invitation/ Publicity
20th December 2019 to 15th January 2020Conference registration timeline (Opening/Closing)
December to January, 2020 ConferenceConference program of events:
Day 1.
Conference Opening Formalities
Members presentation on Activities and programs
Donors intervention briefing
Presentations
Paper presentation sessions on key topics and Light talks
Breakout sessions on thematic areas
Exhibitions and displays
Day 2
Capacity Building Workshop.
Light Talk-Future of CSACEFA for all
Development of Communiqué and Press conference
Budget and Financing
The Conference will be financed with support from the Nigeria Partnership for Education Project through the World Bank and the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for all (CSACEFA). The finances will cover the following;
Conference hall
Payment of Honorariums, for paper presenters
Accommodations,
Tea and Lunch break for participants and presenters
Production of workshop materials
Support Communication and secretariat planning and logistics
Payment for media and publicity
CSACEFA National Civil Society Education Conference (CNEC)
CSACEFA National Moderator Meets with National Youth Coalition for Education Coordinator
The national Moderator of the civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA) met with the NYCE coordinator Ms Debora Ojonwa in Abuja. The meeting which held at the national secretariat of CSACEFA had in attendance the North East Zonal Coordinator Hajiya Labaika, the FCT Coordinator Mr. Abanka Musa, and the CSACEFA Secretariat staff.
Briefing the National Moderator, the NYCE coordinator said the coalition was aimed at bringing youths and youth led organizations together to be able to contribute to education as National development issues in Nigeria, she also said that the Youth coalition was formed by CSACEFA in collaboration with the Connected development (CODE) in 2014.
She also said that after the formation, the youth group has not been able to do much due to the non-availability of funds but has been participating in various programs of CSACEFA especially in the areas of marking international events and programs.
Responding the national Moderator of CSACEFA appreciated the NYCE coordinator for the efforts in keeping the Youth Coalition together over the years. He said the visit was timely as the coalition has started looking inward to see how the Youth led organizations in Nigeria focusing in the area of education can be brought together under one umbrella like CSACEFA stating that this has become necessary as the Global Campaign for Education is looking at engaging youths in all countries to campaign for education, he laso said the GCE is considering youths to be members of the GCE Board.
The moderator assured the Ms. Debora that CSACEFA will come up with the strategies to ensure that youths working in the area of education are given a platform to contribute to education issues at the coalition level t participate in decision making of the coalition.
The national Moderator of the civil Society Action Coalition on Education For All (CSACEFA) met with the NYCE coordinator Ms Debora Ojonwa in Abuja. The meeting which held at the national secretariat of CSACEFA had in attendance the North East Zonal Coordinator Hajiya Labaika, the FCT Coordinator Mr. Abanka Musa, and the CSACEFA Secretariat staff.