Education

Deprived schools in England ‘getting less money after funding overhaul’

Minister are being urged to pause their education funding reforms after it emerged they have resulted in less money for the most deprived schools and more for the better off, according to a parliamentary report.

The redistribution follows the introduction of the government’s national funding formula in 2018-19 to make the funding of England’s schools more fair and transparent.

According to the Commons public accounts committee (PAC), however, the changes – which are not yet complete – have resulted in a 1.2% drop in real terms per-pupil funding in the most deprived fifth of schools and a 2.9% increase for the least deprived, despite the prime minister’s commitment to “levelling up”.

The government is consulting on the final stage of its school funding changes and a move to a “hard” national funding formula under which it would set schools’ budgets directly instead of involving local authorities.

Before pressing ahead with its reforms, the report calls on the government to assess the likely impact of further changes to individual schools and different types of school. It also highlights that changes to pupil premium funding for the most disadvantaged have seen schools lose out on a further £90m of funding.

Kevin Courtney, the joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), accused the government of doing the reverse of levelling up. He said: “For all its talk, the actual practice of the Conservative government seems to be channelling money from the worse off to the better off.”

The PAC report paints a bleak picture of delays, uncertainty and inaction at the Department for Education. It accuses the DfE of “dragging its feet” over improvements to provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send). The government’s Send review was announced two years ago but there is still no publication date in sight.

It says ministers have also been unable to confirm when their promise of a £30,000 starting salary for teachers will be introduced and the PAC is concerned the DfE does not have a grip on the impact of falling rolls on school budgets.

“Schools are facing a perfect storm of challenges with promises of teacher pay rises, per-pupil funding changes and falling rolls but no clear plan from the Department for Education,” said the PAC chair, Dame Meg Hillier.

“Schools and pupils in deprived areas are being hit hardest by the funding formula at a time when the government’s commitment is to level up. Add to this the ongoing delays in the review of support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities and some of the most vulnerable children are facing an uncertain future – on top of the impact of Covid.”

She added: “Every part of government has faced challenges but the impact of the exam chaos, funding uncertainties and repeatedly delayed decisions is hitting young people hard and risks scarring their life chances.”

Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The government’s apparent lack of concern and priority for our most vulnerable young people is, frankly, nothing short of scandalous.”

Nick Brook, the deputy general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, added: “If the government is to achieve their stated goal of ‘levelling up’, they need to look carefully at the impact their reforms are having.”

A DfE spokesperson said: “The national funding formula replaced a system which was unfair, untransparent and out of date where similar schools and local areas received very different levels of funding, with little or no justification. The funding system now ensures resources are delivered where they are needed the most.”

Education

Shettima lauds BUK over provision of quality education, equitable admission

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has commended Bayero University,Kano(BUK) for providing quality education to Nigerians over the years.

Shettima made the commendation while declaring open the BUK Class of 2004 Reunion at the university’s Main Campus on Saturday.

He also lauded the university for its track record of unbiased admission policy across the country devoid of religion and ethnicity.

He was represented by Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Development Finance and Financial Inclusion.

The vice-president said:”Contributions of BUK in providing quality education for all Nigerians and its track record of unbiased admission policy devoid of religion and ethnicity are really commendable.

“We however have some challenges which underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the systemic inequalities faced by women and other marginalised groups,” Shettima said.

According to him, with every challenge comes an opportunity, adding, “with you as Ambassadors, we can leverage strengths, resources, networks, and technical expertise.

”This is to develop innovative solutions, and this is precisely why we participate in today’s reunion.

”I therefore implore all of us to contribute towards making our country great again.”

Tinubu said the President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognised that government efforts alone could not achieve the myriad of economic potential of Nigeria.

He added,”Consequently, this gathering emphasises the critical role of future leaders and partners, particularly from the private sector.

”This is in ensuring the successful implementation and sustainability of our programs, projects, and initiatives.

“We seek your collaboration and contributions, guided by an evidence-based approach to identify new programmes and policies that will drive impactful change.

”All these are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Let us seize this opportunity to exchange best practices, design innovative strategies, and explore groundbreaking/emerging opportunities such as technologies that can drive meaningful change.”

Shettima called for collective efforts to define and strengthen roles, establish impactful partnerships, and create unique, community-driven initiatives and interventions.

“We also call for firm commitment and support for our shared vision of this administration as we remain steadfast in our commitment to translating the outcomes of this reunion into tangible actions,” he added.

NAN

Education

Scrapping TETFUND for NELFUND will destroy public varsities- Osodeke

Fund varsities from N4tn subsidy budget, ASUU tells FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has appealed to the Federal Government not to systemically phase out the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) which has “transformed” tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria in the last three decades.

ASUU warned that suffocating the funding source of TETFund to run the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) would destroy public education in the country.

“The only source of funding is from TETFund, so when you destroy it, you have destroyed public universities,” ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast programme on Thursday.

He alleged that some members of the ruling class “want to destroy public universities and ensure that the children of the poor remain slaves”.

The ASUU president faulted the Tax Bills introduced by the President Bola Tinubu administration saying that stakeholders were not consulted within the educational sector before the bills were sent to the National Assembly.

“TETFund is a product of ASUU. You can’t make the tax laws without meeting with ASUU for inputs before proposing it before the National Assembly.

“The Vice Chancellors were not consulted, Pro Chancellors were not consulted. The people sat down somewhere and said over the next five years let’s scrap it without consulting those who initiated this bill that has transformed Nigerian public universities. That’s not how to work in a system. That’s not how to run a country that is democratic,” he said.

Osodeke said rather than systematically phase out TETFund which derives its funding from consolidated revenue from company income tax, the government should bankroll the newly formed NELFUND from Value Added Tax (VAT).

“Let that Act that was initiated in 1993 that has transformed all Nigerian universities, allow it to stay. If you want to drive NELFUND, go and look for ways to fund it. Don’t take from the one that is in existence to fund it.

“Take 1% or 2% of VAT to fund NELFUND. Don’t take from Peter to pay Peter. Go and look for ways to fund NELFUND,” he said.

“When you go around all Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education today, 90% of the physical structures you have there are products of this struggle for TETFUND.

“But this tax bill is saying that by the year 2030, it should be scrapped and merged with NASENI and NITDA and then reduced to 2%,” Osodeke fumed.

Education

Okpebholo orders reinstatement of sacked Ambrose Alli varsity staff

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the immediate reinstatement of the staff members of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were disengaged from service in March 2023.

The approval was announced on Monday via a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor.

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Recall that the staffers, who were majorly members of the institution’s branch of Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU), were relieved of their appointment, following the agitation for payment of their outstanding salaries, amongst other entitlements.

Ikhilor described the recall as Okpebholo’s significant step toward correcting the injustices of the past and upholding the principles of natural justice, equity and good conscience.

“The government of Sen. Monday Okpebholo believes in the principle of natural justice, equity and good conscience, and will, therefore, not fail to correct any seeming injustice meted to on citizens of Edo State.

“This reinstatement, therefore, is to demonstrate His Excellency’s avowed commitment and adherence to the rule of law in governance at all times,” Ikhilor said.