Senate, Reps pass bill to make basic, free education a fundamental right
The National Assembly has passed a bill for an Act to alter provisions of the 1999 constitution to make free, compulsory and basic education a fundamental right of all citizens,
The development was announced by the official Twitter handle of both the Nigerian Senate and the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
The Senate disclosed that the bill was passed after 88 lawmakers at the upper chambers voted in its favour.
“63.A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to make Free, Compulsory & Basic Education a Fundamental Right of all Citizens under Chapter IV of the Constitution,” the Senate tweeted @NGRSenate
The bill was also passed at the lower legislative chamber after 307 ayes in its favour.
Reacting to the development, President Muhammadu Buhari, through a spokesperson, Bashir Ahmad, in a tweet, described the development as “Commendable!”
The development comes as incessant strike action by various unions in the education sector continues to put the country’s education system in a sorry state.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)had in February declared a four-week warning strike.
The strike which began on February 15 will be followed by an indefinite strike if the Buhari regime fails to meet the union’s demands.
More from Peoples Gazette
Economy
Buhari regime will continue to borrow without subsidy removal: Femi Adesina
“You know how much could have been saved if the subsidy was removed and how it could have been diverted to other areas and spheres of national life.
Rights
Promised good life in Europe, our traffickers battered us in Libya: Nigerians
“My trafficker took nine of us out of Akungba. At present I am the only one returning due to my health.”
World
Russia’s nuclear squad begins drills with submarine, mobile launcher
Russia’s Northern Fleet said several of its nuclear submarines were involved in exercises designed to “train manoeuvring in stormy conditions.”
![House of Representatives, [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of Reps NGR]](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/House-or-Representatives.jpg)
NationWide
Constitution Amendment: Reps remove railway, airport, prison from exclusive list
The House, however, rejected a bill to include value added tax on the exclusive legislative list.
Africa
African journalists fault western media over ‘racist’ coverage of Ukraine war
The group said western media’s coverage of the war portrayed Ukraine as more civilised than other war-torn countries.
Education
Teacher in Delta accused of raping 6-year-old pupil in school toilet
The pupil’s aunt took to social media to call for Royal Children school to be shut down.
NationWide
Dangote, other billionaires, leave girlfriends; use your jets to evacuate Nigerians from Ukraine: Ben Bruce
“Search your conscience and be a useful and genuine charitable Nigerian for once,” Mr Bruce said.
