FG mulls exchange programmes for secondary school students 

The Federal Government through the National Senior Secondary Education Commission is considering exchange programmes for senior secondary school students in Nigeria.

According to the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Iyela Ajayi, the exchange programmes will take the form of academic exchanges that, “allow students to experience different educational environments, participate in joint projects, and build international networks and cultural exchanges in order to, promote cultural understanding and global citizenship. These programs can include short-term exchanges, summer camps, and virtual exchange opportunities.”

Ajayi made this known during a working visit to the American embassy in Abuja, according to a statement released by the Commission on Monday.

Ajayi further said, “Funding is the greatest challenge of the Commission, as the Commission is yet to receive the 2% consolidated revenue fund that is accrued to the Commission by law.”

He however added that notwithstanding the challenge in view, the commission is strategically working ahead with the states to strengthen the law that will establish the State Senior Secondary Education Board.

The Board, when established, will enable the various states to benefit from the NSSEC intervention fund, meant for the repositioning of the sector and further strengthen the NSSEC’s mutual relationship with the states, especially in the area of implementation of the National Minimum Standard for the sector which he revealed that the document has been produced by the Commission but now awaiting final approval by the appropriate body before implementation.

Responding to the Executive Secretary’s submission, the First Secretary, Public Diplomacy, Peter Burba and his team revealed that the American Mission funding for the year 2024 has been completed already.

Moreover, their focus is more on Basic and Tertiary Education, but NSSEC may as well benefit from American Spaces which is also an arm of the mission.