The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) chairman, Musa Aliyu, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to tackling corruption in the basic education sector.

Mr Aliyu spoke at a three-day capacity-building workshop for State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) and Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) officials on Tuesday in Abuja.

The workshop is anchored by the ICPC training and research arm, the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), in collaboration with the Foundation for Transparency and Accountability.

“The ICPC is committed to its enforcement, prevention, and public education functions and ready to partner with the SUBEB and FCT UBEB in eradicating corruption in the basic education sector,” he said.

Mr Aliyu, represented by Grace Agha-Ibe, the director of ICPC’s special services, expressed concern over the harm corrupt practices had caused in the education sector and said all hands must be on deck to bring the monster under control.

“According to the British Council, about one-fifth of the world’s 60 million out-of-school children are in Nigeria. Children that are able to access schools typically learn little.

“From enrolment to the provision of textbooks and equipment, appointment and management of teachers, assessment of teaching and learning processes, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of schools, as well as monitoring of projects execution, tales of unpalatable experiences abound.

“Corruption is at the heart of the unpalatable experiences in basic education. Lack of transparency and accountability has led to a huge chunk of corruption in the sector,” he said.

According to him, the direct and indirect impact of this on access and quality of education cannot be overemphasised.

“As critical stakeholders in the basic education sub-sector, officials of SUBEBS and FCT UBEB are expected to live above hoard and also be seen to do so in the discharge their functions,” he said.

He expressed the determination of the commission to enforce and prevent corruption in the public education sector.

The executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hamid Bobboyi, stressed the need for capacity training for teachers to provide quality education for the nation.

(NAN)