COMMUNIQUE OF THE FIRST ABIA STATE EDUCATION SUMMIT WITH THE THEME: “REFORMING THE EDUCATION SECTOR FOR THE 21ST CENTURY TO ACHIEVE EDUCATION 2030 AGENDA” HELD ON TUESDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2018 AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE (ICC) UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE.

PREAMBLE:

The summit had in attendance the Executive Governor of Abia State - Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, the Deputy Governor - Rt. Hon. Sir  Ude Oko Chukwu, the Hon Minister of State for Education - Prof Anthony Anwuka, the Hon Commissioner for Education Abia State – Prof Ikechi Mgbeoji and other members of the State Executive Council, Deputy Executive Secretary of UBEC, Representatives of International Development Partner such as UNESCO, British Council, etc, Traditional Rulers, National Secretary of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), leaders of COPSHON, ANCOPPS, NAPTAN, NUT, and other critical stakeholders, The Guest Speaker – Prof Emmanuel Ekwuonye and former ABSU VC, former SSG and former Commissioner for Education - Prof Mkpa A. Mkpa who served as the Chairman of the occasion. A total of 2,192 stakeholders were in attendance.

ISSUES RAISED:

•    Achieving all-inclusive education and promote lifelong learning by restructuring our education system at all levels to critically reflect innovations  that will address the
      Sustainable Development Goal Four (SDGs4) and its targets in order to produce an appropriate skilled manpower that will match the 21st Century challenges.
•    the central role of Technical and vocational education and lifelong learning as a key tool for  equipping our populace with the appropriate  knowledge and skills required to
      sustain the future economic and social development of Abia State both in the medium and long term planning  periods.
•    Emphasis on Science and technology education in our Basic, and Post Basic education System in the State.
•    Provision on request of Technical support or any other Partnership by UNESCO and other international development partners (IDPs) in the State Education Development Plan.

 THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SUMMIT:

•    This maiden education summit is aimed at articulating the challenges and gaps in the Education sub-sector.
•    Proffer realizable solutions and collectively restructure, to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs4) and UNESCO Education 2030 Agenda.
•    To initiate the process for Education Sector Analysis in Abia State with operational rules that will help the State mainstream the Nigeria    Education for Change 2016-2019 and set the platform for UNESCO Education 2030 Agenda.
•    To guide and develop Education Road Map for the State and direct further Education Development     
•    To establish the enabling Education Law to regulate activities, operations and relationship within and outside the sector to meet the realities   of the Education 2030 Agenda
      in the State.
•    To help attract Aids and technical supports from Development Partners.
•    To advocate for the establishment of Abia State Education Development Fund (ASEDF) as an agency with similar responsibilities to that of the   TETFUND in the State.
•    To advocate for the cooperation among public and private sectors participations in the productivity, usage, management, dissemination and use of data for planning purposes in education.

EXPECTED SUMMIT OUTCOMES:

1.    Identify the gaps in the Education Sector
2.    Develop Education Sector Plan (ESP)
3.    Draft and present the Abia State Education Bill to the Governor
4.    Advocacy for aids and technical support to International Development Partners (IDPs) using the Education Sector Plan (ESP).
5.    Commence the process of establishing a functional Abia State Education Development Fund (ASEDF) in the State.

WAYS OF ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES:

1.    Develop technical (skills)/ Vocational, Science and Technology
2.    Provide equal access and inclusiveness in the Education of Abia State
3.    Emphasize quality Teacher Education and select the best for teaching and make their remuneration attractive
4.    Emphasize on the timely educational data collation and research
5.    Mainstream Technical Education
6.    Promote lifelong learning in the State with life-skills
7.    Re-orientate the citizenry to appreciate skills and quality teachers as the panacea
8.    Teachers should embark on the multi-skill, self-development and capacity building.

 RECOMMENDATIONS:

Going by the discussions and deliberations during the Summit, it was recommended that the State Government through the Ministry of Education should;
    
1.    Emphasize Technical and Vocational Education (TVET) in the State’s Education system.
2.    Increase the state budgetary provisions to the recommended UNESCO standard of 26% for education.
3.    Establish Education bank with single digit interest rate to support private schools
4.    Solicit support from development partners, multilateral and bilateral organisations
5.    Deduct 2% Percent of net profit of private organizations to be charged to the development of education in Abia State (as Abia State Education Development Fund)
6.    Strengthen partnerships with private schools through support programs.
7.    Map, identify and strengthen relationships with NGOs and CSOs working in education sub-sector
8.    Conduct timely collection of Education Data through Annual School Census for effective planning and rational decision making in the State.
9.    Develop the Abia State Education Sector Plan (ESP)
10.  Review and represent the Abia State Draft Education Bill for presentation to the Abia State House of Assembly.
11.  Make the conduct of this summit an annual event for detailed state-of-affairs reporting and discourse on Education in the State.
12.  International Center for Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Development (CENPAD) the initiator and coordinating NGO for this summit shall seek assistance from government intervention agencies, international organisations, government at all levels etc in organising a Roundtable on the implementation of projects identified by partners and stakeholders in this summit.

CONCLUSION:

The committee encourages government to take serious look at the recommendations and implement as it deem appropriate through the necessary agencies.
We believe that some recommendations that require legislative input should be directed to the Abia State House of Assembly as soon as possible so that Abia State will be seen to have keyed into the 2030 global agenda.
Finally, the committee appreciates the Governor of the State for approving and funding the Summit.

COMMUNIQUE COMMITTEE: