Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism (KADBEAM) haveappealed to the Kaduna State Government to make school infrastructure inclusive, accessible and friendly to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
The CSOs made the appeal in Zaria on Wednesday at a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue to present education scorecard on the delivery of Universal Basic Education by the Kaduna Universal Basic Education Board.
Presenting the scorecard, KADBEAM Assistant Secretary, Mr. Joshua James, explained that KADBEAM had tracked 44 basic education projects worth N1.3 billion to promote fiscal transparency and accountability in the basic education sector.
James explained that the N1.3 billion represented 31 per cent of the N4.3 billion worth of projects awarded in 2021 out of the N8.6 billion earmarked for the year, under 2017, 2018 and 2019 projects.
He said that the projects were tracked across 15 Local Government Areas with support from Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (LERN), a governance programme being funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
He said explained the data showed that 74.4 per cent of the tracked projects did not have ramps, adding that even those with ramps, did not extend to the entrance of classrooms.
He added that 99 per cent of the projects did not have playing facilities for children’s physical activity and mental development, while only seven of the 44 projects have toilets as component.
“Our findings also shows that 69.8 per cent of the projects were ongoing, 14 per cent completed, 9.3 per cent abandoned, while seven per cent had not commenced.
“Also, 90 per cent of the projects have no safe spaces that allow students to feel secure, express their views, share and explore their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours.
“Similarly, 95.3 per cent of the projects had no water facility component, even when 53.5 per cent do not have water source, two per cent sources water from streams, while 41.9 per cent had boreholes.’’
On access to school by Persons with Disability (PWDs), James said that 74.4 per cent of the project did not have ramps.
He called on the government to ensure timely releases and cash-backing of allocated funds to complete on-going projects, and provide more gender-sensitive water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools.
According to him, this will improve school attendance among girls and prevent open defecation.
“Government should provide safe spaces in schools to ensure a safe and friendly learning environment for girls. The findings revealed only 7 per cent of safe spaces available in schools.
“Government should mandate contractors to share relevant contract information with the beneficiaries of the projects, especially information on cost and description of the project for proper community monitoring.
“This will strengthen citizens’ participation and promote fiscal transparency and accountability in the delivery of education projects.”
Mr. Aliyu Idris, the Director, Public Schools, Ministry of Education, commended KADBEAM for organising the meeting for citizens to engage the government with their concerns and for the government to get feedback.
Idris acknowledged the existence of the identified challenges and promised that the ministry and Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board were working on improving the delivery of school projects.
He described KADBEAM tracking activities as a blessing towards improving the quality of project delivery.
“You are contributing to the progress and development of the education sector through continued engagement of the sector and supporting us to improve.
“Kaduna State is operating an open government and I am happy that citizens are engaging the governance process to demand for quality service delivery,” the director said.
Mr. Martins Dangwa, Chairman, Evidence Technical Group, KADBEAM said that the objective of the meeting was to present the scorecard for discussion and to elicit government and stakeholders’ response to some of the concerns.
Dangwa added that the meeting was also organised to strengthen fiscal transparency and accountability in the delivery of basic education projects. (NAN)
