The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education (NMEC) has pledged commitment toward achieving the SDGs Goal 4, in spite of the challenges posed by COVID-19.

The SDGs Goal 4 is ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Mrs Maryam Khalid, Acting Executive Secretary of the commission made the pledge at the Literacy Roundtable Discussion in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the discussion with the theme: “Literacy Teaching and Learning in the COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond” was aimed at strengthening collaborations in addressing barriers to quality adult and non-formal education..

Khalid said that the COVID-19 crisis and low political will to the sub-sector had not deterred the commission in delivery quality literacy programmes to target groups.

She said that the non-formal education activities declined in 2020 compared to 2019 due to COVID-19 pandemic, creating barriers to learning opportunities for children and out-of-school youths, dropouts and non-literate people of all ages in accessing knowledge.

According to her, with the collaboration of stakeholders, the commission developed and produced 24 teaching and learning materials, which will be officially unveiled for distribution to the 36 states and FCT.

“Similarly, in order to complement the above strides, the commission is in the process for finalisation of follow-up reading materials aimed toward enhancing the reading and comprehension skills of neo-literates.
“This will as well form a solid base for continuing education as bedrock for lifelong learning.”

The acting executive secretary said that the state’s vocational centres were supported in a bid to enhance the capacity of target groups in income generation and living standard improvement.

She said states like Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Kogi, Lagos, Ekiti, Abia, Edo, Yobe, Jigawa and Gombe were supported with cosmetology and beauty therapy, fashion design and home economics materials.

“Presently, the commission has extended similar support to Ogun, Bauchi, Adamawa, Rivers, Ondo, Enugu, Anambra, Nasarawa, Cross River and Zamfara states.

“On research, in ensuring inclusive education, the commission carried out a study on Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWD) to fill the gap and provide a deeper contextual understanding of barriers that PLWD encounter in accessing mass literacy,” she said.Khalid said that the report was therefore ready for dissemination to relevant stakeholders.

She commended the commitment of the present administration in making the country the first among developing countries while calling for increased commitment of all tiers of government towards reduction of non-formal education to achieving SDG4.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, pledged continued support to NMEC in finding alternative ways to ensure access to teaching and learning during and after crisis.Adamu, represented by the Deputy Director, Basic Education Department in the ministry, Mrs Josephine Chimezie-Nwaobiara, while unveiling the 24 teaching and learning materials, promised to retain ideas at reinventing literacy in the country.

Also, the Minister of FCT, Malam Mohammed Bello commended NMEC on redirecting teaching and learning processes to comply with the new normal.

Bello, represented by the Director of Mass Education Department, FCT, said the territory had recently graduated 45 learners prepared for university education.

He said that the territory had sought for collaboration with the National Open Universities of Nigeria (NOUN) for admission of learners to earn certificate.He said that the territory had employed 500 facilitators on permanent basis to facilitate literacy education with the completion of three ICT centres to facilitate JAMB CBT examinations for learners. 
NAN

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