Jonathan promises more cash for education

President Goodluck Jonathan has restated his administration’s determination to improve the education sector through vigorous budgetary allocation to the sector. The move is to make the secotr more responsive to the need and challenges of the nation.

Jonathan, who spoke yesterady at the public presentation of the nation’s education data survey and the inauguration of the Digest of Education Statistics from 2006 to 2010, in Abuja , assured Nigerians of increase budgetary allocation to the sector.

Represented by his deputy Namadi Sambo, Jonathan frowned that while the federal budget has continued to increase, that of education has remained static, adding; “this will not continue. However, this lacuna has been addressed in the 2011 budget.”

Expressing his concern about the trend, he said: “That it is only through improved, spread and quality education system that his administration would achieve its plan to transform Nigeria .”

He went further that education would play a vital role in the administration’s efforts towards tackling the challenges of inadequate and irregular power supply, quality health provision, enhanced transport system as well as overall development.

“For instance, the issue of ensuring that we have adequate power supply, we need to get the plant, develop expansion and operate and mange the facilities. We need Nigerians to do all these and they must be educated Nigerians. It is only educated Nigerians that can run efficient seaports, rail system, health and other sectors of the economy.

“The mirage of our problems as a society can be achieved through a responsive education system. None of our developmental goals would be achieved if the education system cannot produce men and women to provide solutions to the problems.”