FG Unveils Three New Education Policies

• Shifts Focus To 80 Percent Practical Implementation

THE Federal Government, yester­day, unveiled three new national education policies, shifting the sector’s focus from policy formulation to practical implementation.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, at the unveiling of the docu­ments in Abuja, said the ministry had adopted an 80 per cent implementa­tion and 20 per cent policy develop­ment model in line with international standards.

Alausa stressed that Nigeria’s edu­cation reforms must now translate into measurable outcomes across all states.

The minister appreciated develop­ment partners including UNESCO, UNICEF, and others for their continued support to Nigeria’s education sector.

He stated that the new policies would either improve existing ones or address areas where no policy previ­ously existed.

According to him, policy is just 10 per cent of the work, adding, “imple­mentation is the heart of what we do and the Commissioners will drive this work, while the federal government will provide the technical support and resources required.

“The first of the three policies presented is the National Teachers’ Policy alongside its implementation guidelines.

” The policy is designed to strength­en teacher quality, upgrade compe­tencies and improve professional development.”

Alausa said the government had ac­celerated the digitalisation of teacher training programmes and would soon launch a digital platform for continu­ous professional development.

He added that government was working to ensure Teacher Registra­tion Council licensing for all public school teachers to produce the best students.

The minister said the second policy document on Drug and Substance Abuse in Schools was meant to ad­dresses the rising rate of drug and substance abuse among students in secondary schools and tertiary insti­tutions.

“This is the first time Nigeria is developing a national policy and implement.

mentation guideline on drug abuse in schools,” the minister said.

He added that the policy incorpo­rated counselling and behavioural sup­port but affirmed that the government would not hesitate to punish repeat offenders.

Alausa said, “We must protect our youth. Addiction destroys lives, and President Bola Tinubu believes strong­ly in the capacity of Nigerian.”

Also speaking, Dr. Lawal Olorung­bebe, Kwara Commissioner for Educa­tion and Human Capital Development, pledged the full implementation of the new policies.

Olorungbebe emphasised that while policies were formulated at the federal level, implementation rested squarely with the states.

“Most of the implementation steps can easily be captured in our 2025 project plans for those who have not gone beyond that stage,” he explained.

He, however, pledged the unwav­ering commitment of all states com­missioners education to ensuring the policies translate into concrete results across the federation. NAN