CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Universal Basic Education was born out of many programmes which had tried to uplift Educational system in Nigeria like pre compulsory primary school education of six year which later collapsed due to long period of military regime in Nigeria (N.P.E. 2004, 4th edition).
As a result during the implementation phase of the Universal Basic Education Programme (UBEP) in year 2000, it was realized that some efforts was needed to improve the quality of basic education to ensure that a solid foundation was laid at that level of education. This was predicted on the fact that solid basic education would make learning at higher level easier and more meaningful.
Consequently, steps were taken to increase access to basic education, ensure the provision of equal opportunity for all learners and improve quality of education (UBEC Journal 2004). These steps included:-
(i) Construction of additional infrastructure in existing school.
(ii) Rehabilitation of dilapidated infrastructure.
(iii) Creation of new schools in areas that needed their.
(iv) Supply of supplementary reading materials.
(v) Training of more teachers through the Pivotal Teacher Training Programme (PTTO).
Through these steps, the targeted improvement in the learning environment were taken a need was felt to focus attention on the teachers factors, not necessarily the quantitative aspect which had been addressed by the Pivotal Teachers Training Programme and other initiatives but the quality aspect which hitherto had remained unattended to Teachers all over the world are recognized as a critical factor in delivery of quality education. Therefore level of teachers quality has to be made in order to ensure successful basic education in Nigeria.
Following the backdrop in implementation of this programme, Universal Basic Education commission was established during the Administration of Olusegun Obasanjo by an act 2004 by Act of National Assembly the compulsory free, Universal Basic Education Act 2004 to includes six years of primary school and three additional years of Junior Secondary School.
According to the act, it provides compulsory, free universal basic education for all children of primary school and junior secondary school age in Federal Republic of Nigeria.
It also stipulates penalties for any parent who fails to comply with the provisions.
But with all these stipulations and act embarking this programme much had not be achieved in providing this basic education for all citizenly (UBEC Journal, 2004).
Therefore as a result of that I was prompted to pick this as a research topic so that I will contribute in solving the problems facing universal basic Education in Nigeria by bring a lasting solution to it.
“Sustaniable strategies for effective implementation of Universal Basic Education Programme in Nigeria.