The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education (UBEC), Dr Hamid Bobboyi, says that the introduction of education programme, Jolly Phonics, aided the teaching of 144,000 teachers in Nigeria.

Jolly Phonics programme which is a child-centered approach to teaching synthetic phonics was introduced into Nigerian basic schools in 2006.

He stated that in collaboration with the Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), initiators of the programme, 5,755 UBEC, SUBEB and LGEA officials were trained while millions of children were empowered to read and write across the 36, States of the federation.

The UBEC head was speaking at an event to mark the 15th anniversary of the programme in Nigeria.

He said “Since the inception of the Jolly Phonics programme in Nigeria, we are proud of the milestones recorded. In collaboration with Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), I am aware that 144,733 teachers, 5,755 UBEC, SUBEB, and LGEA officials, have been trained and resourced, whilst millions of children are being empowered to read and write across the 36 States of the federation and FCT.”

Bobboyi stated that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in the year 2012 entered into a partnership with Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), the organisers of the Jolly phonics programme at a time when the level of literacy was very low in the basic education Sector.

He revealed that at the initial stage of engagement, the training was optional, only states interested in literacy held the training using the UBEC Teacher Professional Development (TPD) fund.

He added that the commission, having found the jolly phonics programme relevant to its objective of improving literacy development of basic education learners, has over the years supported its inclusion in the basic education curriculum in basic schools across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, whilst also ensuring that teachers are trained and re-trained on the jolly phonics pedagogy to be able to effectively teach learners to read and write.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE), Prof Paulinus Okwelle, said ULS through jolly phonics made significant contributions to literacy development in Nigeria in the past 15 years.

A joint speech released from Portugal by the founders of the programme, Gary and Naomi Foxcroft, said the project which started in Akwa Ibom State had reached 22 countries in Africa and Asia.

The duo, whose speech was presented by the Country Director, ULS, Patrick Uzu, recalled the journey that made the programme a reality.

“How blessed we have been to serve humanity in such a way, working with so many inspirational people and organisations along the journey, as together we grew Jolly Phonics from one school in rural Akwa lbom State to the largest and most effective English literacy project in Africa.

“Amongst the troubling times in which we have been living, the story of Jolly Phonics in Nigeria and how this inspired the philanthropy behind its expansion to a further 22 countries in Africa and Asia, acts as a beacon of hope that brighter times may be ahead,” he said.

Data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) revealed that a total of 126 blind candidates were admitted into 40 Nigerian tertiary institutions last year.

According to the admission data released by JAMB, of the total students, 87 (about 69 per cent) were admitted into ten of the institutions.

The Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo admitted the highest number of blind students with 27.

The University of Lagos followed with 11 students admitted. Aminu Saleh College of Education and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (also known as UNIZIK) admitted 9 students each.

Adekunle Ajasin University admitted 8; University of Jos, 6; St Augustine College of Education, 5; University of Ilorin, 5; Adeyemi College of Education, 4; Federal College of Education Umunze, 3.

Both Alex Ekwueme Federal University and Alvan Ikoku College of Education admitted two visually impaired students each.

Also, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Gombe State University, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Lagos State University, Nasarawa State University and University of Benin each admitted two students.

In 2019, of the 390 blind candidates, a total of 182 (46.6 per cent) were given admission.

JAMB said this was unprecedented in the history of admission of such a category of students into the Nigerian higher education system.

Most of the candidates were admitted to the University of Ilorin, Bayero University Kano, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Abuja.

In 2018, 156 blind students gained admission; 2017, 145; 2016, 142; 2015, 72; and 44 in 2014.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has appealed to all institutions of higher learning in the country to grant admission to all the blind candidates that meet the minimum requirement for admission.

Vice President of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo, has called on government at all levels to deliver on their roles on provision of basic education for the benefit of all Nigerians, especially the girl-child.

The Vice President made the call over the weekend as the special guest at the Mallpai Foundation 2021 Literacy Day, with the theme: “Promoting Literacy for Better Education in Nigeria,” in Abuja.

The MALLPAI Foundation is a non-governmental organisation founded in 2009 by the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Aisha Atiku Bagudu.

MALLPAI, which means in full “Mass Literacy for the Less Privileged and Almajiri Initiative”, addresses concerns around illiteracy and out-of-school children, with a commitment to enhancing the quality of life by supporting and empowering initiatives that improve access to health, education and agriculture opportunities for Nigerians.

According to Osinbajo in a statement issued by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, access to education is the best ticket to the full enjoyment of all human civil, socio-political and economic rights.

He observed that getting disadvantaged out-of-school children into formal education is a massive challenge, especially where, in some cases, the prevailing culture is an obstacle.

The vice president reiterated the need for more to be done through the courage of individual and corporate convictions, for the goals of girl-child education to be achieved

The vice president commended the Foundation for its initiative towards improving people’s access to education and skills acquisition opportunities for poor and underprivileged communities.

Students of Plateau State Polytechnic have staged a peaceful protest over the postponement of their semester examinations by the school authorities.

The students trooped out in large numbers and blocked the Yakubu Gowon way, a major highway leading into and out of Jos.

The postponement of the examination was as a result of an indefinite strike embarked upon by lecturers of the institution who had issued a notice of strike to the government over what they called the government’s inability to meet their demands of earned allowances and other sundry issues.

Speaking to journalists, a student of the institution, Deborah John, described the decision of the management to postpone the examination as an attempt to truncate their academic journey.

Another student, Isreal Longdu, decried the incessant strike by their lecturers, adding that the development has stagnated their academic progression.

When contacted, a member of staff of the Public Relations Department of the institution, John Ramadan promised to furnish journalists with details on the strike soon.