Lawmakers Push For Alternative Education To Tackle Unemployment

The House of Representatives is considering a set of new bills aimed at reforming the country’s education system by expanding access to vocational and skills-based learning.

In his opening remarks at a public hearing on four bills seeking to establish vocational and skill acquisition training in Kwara, Imo and Ondo states, Chairman of the House Committee on Alternative Education, Ibrahim Aliyu said the initiative would provide millions of young people with alternatives to the traditional school system, helping to reduce unemployment and poverty.

He explained that the system would combine moral, modern, and technical education to ensure graduates are both skilled and productive.

Aliyu commended the Speaker of the House, Rep Abbas Tajudeen, for his foresight in establishing, for the first time, the Committee on Alternative Education to bridge the gap for millions of Nigerians without access to formal education.

Declaring the public hearing open ,the Speaker Dr, Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Prof Paul Nnamchi, said that alternative education is the brain child borne out of necessity.

He further stated that vocational, technical, and entrepreneurship is the needed bridge between educational qualifications and skills for national development.

Speaking on the bills, representative of the Executive Director South East Development Commission, Mr Ifejika Sunday said that the commission is committed to any initiative that promotes technical education.

He said that the commission supports the establishment of vocational and entrepreneurship educational institutions as it aligns with its establishment mandate.

Some other key stakeholders, including the National Commission for Almajri Education, NCAE, People of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom, and Mbaise Community, supported the establishment of these educational institutions.

However. representing Nigeria Non Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS),Director Special Initiatives (NOGALSS), Princess Stephanie Osa- Osaghae called for the inclusion of NOGALSS on the board of the proposed Federal Vocational and Skill Acquisition Centres adding that such will guarantee broad based participation and effectiveq@ coordination.

The four bills under consideration include: A Bill for an Act to Establish the South East Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Umuobum, Imo State (sponsored by Hon. Ikeagwuonu Onyinye Ugochinyere — HB.2263);

A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal Institute of Technical Education and Skills Acquisition, Mbaise, Imo State (sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Emeka Martins — HB.2342);

A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition, Ilorin West, Kwara State (sponsored by Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya — HB.554); and

A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Agadagba-Obon, Ese-Odo, Ondo State (sponsored by Hon. Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo — HB.2033).

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji