By Gom Mirian
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has raised an alarm over the rising moral decadence and values downturn in Nigeria, especially at the basic education level.
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of UBEC also lamented the increase of vices and negative behavior such as stealing, drunkenness, a financial crime known as ‘yahoo-yahoo’, truancy, violence, and many others in the county’s education system.
Bobboyi said this in Abuja at the stakeholder meeting/2-day workshop on moral regeneration and reorientation at the basic education level on Tuesday.
He said the disheartening aspect is that many of these vices are now prevalent in Nigerian schools, especially basic education schools.
According to him, ”The Universal Basic Education Commission as an agency of government has the onus to re-order the situation as it has as one of its objectives ‘’to ensure the acquisition of appropriate level of literacy, numeracy, manipulative, communicative and life skills as well as ethical, moral, and civic values.
” It is important to note that the basic education level is where learners are allowed to equip themselves with moral values, skills, and competencies that can assist them in effecting personal and community positive change.
“This is why the Commission has taken it upon itself to organize the stakeholders’ workshop with the school as its target.”
On his part, the Director, of Teacher Development, at UBEC, Mr. Aleshin Olumayowa, said the meeting was a strategy deployed by the Commission to gather information, solicit advice, and find a way forward to address the decadence of moral and value upturn at the basic education level.
“The Commission works in line with the goals of basic education which according to the National Policy on Education is to inculcate values and raise morally upright individuals capable of independent thinking and who appreciate the dignity of labor.
” As you are aware of our mantra ‘Education for all is the responsibility of all’. We all have the responsibility of ensuring that the children and youth in Nigeria follow the right path and develop a good character which will make the country a better place for us all to live in.
“This is why representatives from the different sectors of the Nigeria society are present here today,” he said.
