An accountability mechanism working round on education in Kaduna state, Kaduna Basic Education Accountability Mechanism ( KADBEAM) has urged the Kaduna state government to address blockages to Fiscal transparency in the education sector especially in the delivery of projects.
This, among others, were demanded as advocacy to the state government for quality education in the state.
Secretary of KADBEAM, James Joshua stated this during a 2-day Facilitate Media discussion on the scorecard to increase awareness and deepen the conversation on education procurement data with a special focus on girl education organized by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn(PERL) in collaboration with KADBEAM in Zaria, Kaduna State.
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The citizen group of KADBEAM, a co-creation accountability platform between government and civil society have tracked the execution of some of the projects implemented by the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB) in 15 Local Government Areas of the state.
According to him, the Kaduna State Government through its Universal Basic Education Board (Kaduna
SUBEB), is investing N8,601,812,779.20 in 2021 to improve infrastructure for basic education leveraging on the UBE projects co-financed by the State and the Federal Government’s Universal Basic Education Commission.
He explained that the amount was for the rollover Universal Basic Education(UBE) projects from 2017 to 2019, however, according to the contract details, projects awarded in 2021 amounted to N4,287,321,470.31 and the total sum of N1,320,426.657.56K worth of projects were monitored and tracked, amounting to 31% of the total sum of projects awarded.
Presenting the scorecard, James said the projects tracked sees that 69.8% of the projects are still ongoing,14% completed, 9.3% abandoned, and 7% not started.
He also said 87.7% of the school project tracked in the 15 LGAs have no toilet facilities, 9.3% has pit toilets, and 3% has water Closet(WC) toilet facilities.
Others revealed in the scorecard includes;” 62.8% of the schools has no fence, 31.8% has a fence with 6 broken and 1 without the gate, 53.5% has no water source, 2.3% has its source from the tap, 2.3% from the stream, 32.6% hand pump borehole, and 9.3% motorized borehole, the project tracked are not Persons with disability(PWD) friendly as around 25.6% of the projects have ramps, some of which only lead to the varender, while 74.4% do not have any ramp, among others”.
He said Schools Based Management Committees are unable to access information and function effectively in engaging the procurement of facilities, equipment and goods for schools.
“Access to classrooms for persons with special needs/disability is not being considered in the ongoing UBE projects despite earlier concerns that only two per cent of the schools monitored in 2020 catered for persons with special needs.
“Toilets, water, furniture and other equipment related procurement have no adequate details especially location to enable tracking and reporting in the ongoing UBE projects. There is no certainty that the projects being implemented have safe spaces as part of the design and improving learning environment especially for the girl child”, he noted.
He, however, said the citizen group has urged the Government should ensure timely releases and cash-backing of allocated funds to complete the 69% on-going projects.
He added that Projects under the UBE program should be implemented in a more transparent manner leveraging on the existing e-procurement solutions in line with the governments’ commitment to the Open Government Partnership and SFTAS.
Other demands raised include; “The Government should provide more gender-sensitive WASH facilities and sanitary supplies in schools to improve hygiene practices among girls. This will improve school attendance among girls and prevent open defecation. Government should provide safe spaces in schools to ensure a safe and friendly learning environment for girls. The findings revealed only 7% of safe spaces are available in schools.
“Kaduna State Government must urgently address blockages to fiscal transparency in the education sector especially in the delivery of projects.“
“Government should ensure that school infrastructures at the basic level are inclusive, accessible and friendly to PWDs as findings show 74.4% projects do not have ramps. None of the projects has ramps leading to the classroom”
“Government should disseminate to host communities adequate procurement data, especially information on cost, design, specifications and standards, bill of quantity, description of the project and other information communities may demand as useful for proper community monitoring”.
“This will strengthen citizens participation and promote fiscal transparency and accountability in the delivery of education projects”.
“Citizens at the community level and influencers should ensure that school facilities are protected against
indiscriminate use for activities like weddings, Football”, he said.
