By Augustine Okezie
The US government has expressed concern over the influence of household decisions in the enrollment of Nigerian children in schools.
It stated this concern through its agency for International Development during the presentation of the Nigeria Education Data Survey report for the 36 states of the federation in Calabar at the weekend.
Launching the report, the Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, said the report provided state-based data that would allow the state to critically access its specific perspectives.
Shekarau also said the household report “provides broader picture of access issues and allows evaluation of success in meeting of Education For all goals, (EFA).”
He added that presentation of the report would ensure that policy making was driven by data.
“The report will ensure improved format of the presentation of findings, of course this will stimulate greater engagement of stakeholders and policy makers.
“It will also provide a yardstick for comparing progress and performance by the states.”
Chairman, Commissioners for Education Forum and the Commissioner for Education in Cross River state, Professor Offiong Offiong, during the formal presentation of the report, said the data would serve as an instrument that would help education stakeholders plan effectively.
He also said the report which provided state based data would allow government at the state level to access its specific perspectives and monitor their medium term plans.
The USAID earlier stated that the Nigeria education data survey was a large scale household programme designed to provide information on education for children aged four to16.
