Universal Basic Education Programme for Global Competitiveness: A Need for Paradigm Shift

Abstract

When the goal of UBE, “Education For All” (EFA) which is in line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) was envisaged from the conception of the scheme, little did anyone know that fourteen years after, the policy would not make a significant achievement in competing with systems in other developed nations of the world. Recent reports show that it would take Nigeria more than 70 years before all children will have access to primary education. This paper is a call on needed paradigm shift in UBE for global competitiveness. The paper x-rays the matters arising in the scheme to include the quota policy, placing of ceiling on the number of pupils to be registered in a state among others. The paper also highlighted some envisaged problems of the implementation of the programme to include policy standard and objectives, policy resources, inter-governmental communication and enforcement, the characteristics of implementing agencies and the economic, social and political conditions and as well the disposition of policy implementers. The paper called for paradigm shift in the area of human, financial, infrastructural resources as well as quality assurance and social mobilization. Suggestion is therefore made that the scheme should be given attention like any other sector.

Keywords: Basic Education, Universal, Competiveness, Implementation, Education for All