*Proposes N470bn for Revitalization
The president, Muhammadu Buhari has said the government alone can no longer bear the burdens of funding public tertiary institutions in the country.
This was just as he announced that his administration has allocated a sum of N470bn for the revitalization and salary enhancement in tertiary institutions in the next budget.
Speaking at the joint sitting of the National Assembly on the presentation of the 2023 billion budget on Friday, the president stated that it is important to bear in mind that the Federal government alone cannot supply all the resources needed to fund tertiary education in the country.
According to Buhari, the government is not pleased with the dilemma that has halted activities in public universities in the country.
He stressed that the government expects staff of the institutions to show more appreciation on the current state of affairs.
“The Government notes with dismay the crisis that has paralysed activities in the public universities in the country. We expect the staff of these institutions to show a better appreciation of the current state of affairs in the country.”
He said that in most countries, education cost is jointly shared between the government and it’s people especially at tertiary level, therefore advising that it is crucial that a more tenable model of financing tertiary education is adopted.
“In most countries, the cost of education is jointly shared between the government and the people, especially at the tertiary level. It is imperative therefore that we introduce a more sustainable model of funding tertiary education.”
Buhari stated, that his government also remains committed to the implementation of any agreement reached with staff union with available resources, adding that is why the government is wary of signing any agreement that it wouldn’t be able to execute.
“The Government remains committed to the implementation of agreements reached with staff unions within available resources. This is why we have remained resolute that we will not sign any agreement that we would be unable to implement. Individual institutions would be encouraged to keep faith with any agreement reached in due course to ensure stability in the educational sector.
“Government is equally committed to improving the quality of education at other levels,” he added.