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

No plan to stop under 18 students from writing WASSCE, NECO – Minister

The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu has clarified that the Federal Ministry of Education has not stopped students who are not up to 18 years old from writing the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) exams.

Sununu said this while fielding questions from journalists at an event to mark the 2024 International Literacy Day (ILD) on Friday.

According to him, public misconception and misinterpretation of what was said by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, was highly disappointing.

He said that the minister was actually speaking on the 18 years entry age into the tertiary institutions as was practiced in the 6:3:3:4 system of education.

“We have agreed that we are going to consider it as a work-in-progress. The National Assembly is working and we are also working.

“It was shocking to say that a university in this country gave admission to children at ages 10, 11 and 12 years. This is totally wrong.

“We are not saying that there are no exceptions, we know we can have talented students that have the IQ of an adult even at age 6 and 7, but these are very few.

“There must be a rule, and the ministry is looking at developing a guideline on how to identify a talented child, so that parents don’t say we are blocking their children’s chances.

“Nobody said no child will write WAEC, NECO or any other examination unless at age 18. This is a misconception and misrepresentation of what we have said,” he said.

Speaking on the International Literacy Day, Sununu underscored the critical role of literacy in fostering mutual understanding, peace and socio-economic development.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing literacy challenges through the Education for Renewed Hope roadmap (2024-2027).

He highlighted youth and adult literacy as key components, while emphasising the importance of using learners’ mother tongues as a medium of instruction.

“We must focus on the role of a learner’s first language in becoming literate, which will foster mutual understanding and peace,” he added.

He also emphasised the need for well-trained educators who should be equipped to teach in local languages, as well as the development of follow-up reading materials in these languages.

On his part, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-formal Education (NMEC), Prof. Simon Akpama, reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to integrating multilingual education into schools’ literacy programmes.

“In an increasingly interconnected world, multilingual education is not just a necessity, it is a tool for fostering peace and cultural respect,” he said.

Meanwhile, UNESCO’s Country Representative, Mr Diallo Abdourahamane, re-echoed that literacy remained a fundamental human right, hence the need to create a just, peaceful and sustainable society.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ILD which is celebrated annually on Sept. 8, is aimed at highlighting the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”
(NAN)

Education

Tai Solarin Varsity rusticates 31 students, suspends 47 others for various offences

Authorities of the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode have announced the rustication of 31 students and an indefinite suspension of 47 others for various forms of academic and behavioural misconduct.

This was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Registrar, Dapo Oke on Tuesday.

Among those sanctioned is Ojo Michael, a 200-level student in the Computer Science Department, who was rusticated for the entire 2023/2024 academic session.

It was gathered that this decision was taken during the university’s Senate meeting held on July 31, 2024.

The statement further stated that Michael was found guilty of forging his Cumulative Grade Point Average in a bid to fraudulently qualify for the Student Union elections.

In addition to Ojo Michael, 17 other students were rusticated for examination malpractice, while five were sanctioned for making threats to life, and one other for fraudulent activities.

The statement also read that the university’s Examination Malpractice and Students’ Disciplinary Committee, after thorough investigations, recommended the penalties.

The university has further suspended 47 students indefinitely for various forms of misconduct, including impersonation.

The Senate emphasised that the affected students are required to stay off-campus to avoid potential confrontations with university security personnel.

The school authorities reiterated their commitment to upholding academic discipline and integrity, warning that any student found guilty of misconduct would face severe consequences in line with the institution’s rules and regulations.

“The Senate, at its Statutory meeting of 31st July 2024 has approved that Ojo Micheal, a 200-level student in the Computer Science Department be rusticated for the 2023/2024 Academic session for forgery of CGPA to contest Student Union Elections.

“17 other students got rusticated for examination malpractice, 5 for threat to life and 1 other for fraudulent act.

“47 students were found guilty of misconduct and were thus given indefinite suspension and another ten for impersonation.

“Other various punishments were also meted out for various misconducts as recommended by the Examination Malpractice and Students’ Disciplinary Committee.

“The affected students have been advised in their interest to stay off the Campus to avoid being embarrassed by the University Security Personnel

Education

UI orders students to proceed on 3 weeks holiday

Authorities of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, in Oyo State, have directed students of the institution to proceed on a three-week break.

The directive comes almost twenty-four hours after the students staged a protest over the increase in their school fees.

The institution, in a statement signed by its Registrar, G.O. Saliu, noted that the decision to direct the students to go on break was taken following a meeting between the management and the leadership of the students’ union.

Saliu said that the break is an opportunity for the students to complete their online registration.

He added that the 2023/2024 first-semester examinations will now start on Monday, 23 September 2024.

Saliu further maintained that the portal for registration will be closed on Friday, 20 September 2024.

He said that all students living within the institution’s hostels are to vacate the hostels by 2:00 p.m. today (Saturday).

He warned that students who fail to register on time will not be allowed to write the examinations.

Saliu said, “Following the meeting of University Management with the leadership of the Students Union today, Friday, 30 August 2024, the Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of Senate, has approved a three-week break for students of the University of Ibadan, with effect from Saturday, 31 August 2024, to 20 September 2024.

“The hostels will be reopened for students from 12 noon on Friday, 20 September 2024.

“Students are, therefore, to note the following: The three weeks is to give students ample time to complete their online registration. The 2023/2024 first-semester examinations will now start on Monday, 23 September 2024. The portal for registration will be closed on Friday, 20 September 2024.

“There will be no reopening of the portal for fee payment or course registration after 20 September 2024. Students who do not register appropriately will not be allowed to write examinations. All students are to vacate the University Campus by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, 31 August 2024.

“The above is for information and strict compliance, please.”