Stakeholders Canvass Public-Private Partnership to Reduce Out-of-school Population
Oluchi Chibuzor Stakeholders in the country’s education sector have called for public-private partnership to reduce the over 10 million out-of-school population. They also sought an upgrade of existing education models
At the inaugural Education that Works Summit, held recently at the University of Lagos, education stakeholders in Nigeria called for public-private partnerships to address the issue of more than 10 million children being out of school. They also advocated for the modernization of existing education models to align with contemporary global demands and narrow the gap between educational practices and the realities of the workforce.
These proposals were made at the event organized by Auctus Social Transformation Initiative, in collaboration with Khadijat Okonnu Leadership Foundation and One Million Teachers.
Convener and founder of Auctus Social Transformation Initiative, Prof. Akin Akinpelu, highlighted that discussions about education issues in Nigeria often lack corresponding solutions. He emphasized that the summit aimed to unite education sector stakeholders to devise strategies to bolster education across Africa. Prof. Akinpelu, represented by Programmes Manager Dr. Omam Agboro, pointed out that many education experts had been operating in isolation and sought to bring together students, teachers, policymakers, and edtech founders to discuss effective education models.
Education Systems and Policy Leader, Olarenrewaju Oniyitan, during a panel discussion, stressed that public-private partnerships in education should focus on supporting affordable and accessible basic education, rather than the takeover of public schools by private operators. She argued that Nigeria's education system cannot be viewed merely as a dichotomy between public and private institutions.
Ms. Oniyitan suggested that public funding and support should be directed towards non-state schools serving low-income communities, as well as alternative learning centers, which already provide educational opportunities for children who might otherwise be unable to attend school.
Kimmo Kumpulainen, a Finnish Education Service Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Polar Partners, presented a paper during the summit. He highlighted the role of the environment in shaping education outcomes, suggesting that incorporating digital tools that cater to diverse learning styles and promote digital learning and grading models can facilitate inclusive education for both students and educators.
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