Education as a Driver of Economic Growth and Development

OUR STRATEGY AND OPPORTUNITIESECONOMIC & DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT EKITI

STATE NIGERIA

EDUCATION AS A DRIVER OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND

DEVELOPMENT

GIIG-HEATG – GovernanceI – Infrastructural developmentI – Industrial developmentG – Gender equality and empowerment

H – Health care systemsE – Education and human capital

developmentA – modernization of AgricultureT - Tourism

8 - POINT AGENDA OF THE DR. KAYODE FAYEMI LED

ADMINISTRATION

Agenda 4 – Education and Human capital development

By 2014, a computer on every student’s desk; free and compulsory education up to senior secondary school; special initiatives for physically challenged students; establishment of institute of Science and Technology; creation of State Sports Academy for gifted youth.

INTRODUCTION

Ekiti State’s Educational heritage has never been in contention across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

Our brand identity as previously called “Fountain of Knowledge” added a lot to this perception of a massive educational equity for Ekiti people.

Our vision is to develop Ekiti State as an Education-Tourism Centre. We would like to continue to educate Nigerians and create wealth in the process.

EDUCATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

Free and compulsory Education up to SSS3To provide modern and conducive learning

environment for allTo provide functional education for enterpriseTo put a computer on every students desk by 2014Special initiatives for physically challenged childrenCreation of a sports Academy for gifted youthTo develop a science and technology instituteTo develop Life AcademiesBuild world class Tertiary Institutions

DR. KAYODE FAYEMI’S VISION FOR EDUCATION IN EKITI STATE

Vision and Mission for the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

VISION – to provide affordable, qualitative, functional and sustainable education for enlightenment and enterprise.

MISSION – to ensure quality and functional education through sound policy formulation and implementation, official school monitoring, provision of conducive environment and regular capacity building of personnel.

VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT

EDUCATION = WEALTH

Education increases the earning capacity of individuals

A compelling body of research links primary and secondary education to economic development and growth. This research recognizes people as a type of economic asset – “human capital” – and shows that increased investment in health, skills, and knowledge provides future returns to the economy through: increases in labor productivity.

Education increases workers’ average earnings and productivity, and it also reduces the incidence of social problems such as drug abuse, crime, welfare dependency, and lack of access to medical care, all of which can weigh heavily on the economy.

EDUCATION = WEALTH

lifelong learning has literally become the new infrastructure of our knowledge-based economy.

Education, as infrastructure, means that we must be willing to see our schools, colleges and universities as key players in economic development—because of the talent they create, the research they conduct, and the new knowledge they produce.

It is partly from research and innovation that new companies are born, new ideas are birthed and new jobs are created.

Indeed, research and innovation help to drive economic expansion and the creation of new wealth.

EDUCATION AS A WEALTH CREATION TOOL IN EKITI

Our plan is to provide functional and sustainable Education

We believe that Education will not just be for learning but for enlightenment and enterprise

Entrepreneurship will be incorporated to our curriculum from Secondary Schools to Tertiary Institutions.

Encourage our researchers to proactively seek for grants and scholarships to carry out research in their institutions

To attract funding with laudable projects in Schools.

OUR STRATEGY

Encourage Private Capital in developing our existing institutions of Education e.g. Provision of Hostel Accommodation at Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti and College of Education, Ikere Ekiti

Developing a finished & employable workforce through our Life Academies to bridge the gap between the gown and the town. Thus attracting students from other states

Upgrading the Government Technical college at Ado Ekiti to a Vocational Centre of Excellence to provide the much needed artisans / Craftsmen for work in other parts of Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

EKITI – LIFE ACADEMIES “a new generation of life competent graduates”

Ekiti proposes to establish a Life Academy with centres in each of the States. A pioneering approach targeted at creating a first cohort of truly Life competent graduates'

The life academy will develop the competence of young people in the state

These graduates and school leavers, who are largely between age 15-29, 22.6% of the State population.

2006 figures indicate that Ekiti has 258,318 OND/NCE graduates, 196,641 University/HND & 29,496 postgraduates

AIMS OF THE EKITI LIFE ACADEMY

Expose Ekiti graduates to life skills beyond the classroom, which will develop their capacity to contribute meaningfully to processes of governance & development in the State

To raise the standards of engagement of young people in daily life in the State by injecting excellence & appropriate core values into their work & key activities

To create a cadre of competent young people with a culture of excellence who can support the transformation agenda of Ekiti State as well as provide leadership for the future running of the Life Academy

ONGOING PLANS AND REFORMS

CONSOLIDATION OF EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY (EKSU), ADO EKITI

REINSTATED COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, IKERE EKITI RE-ARTICULATION OF JSS-SSS IN EKITI GROUPING SCHOOLS INTO GRD I – III BASED ON

POPULATION / REDUCTION OF CLASS SIZES REDUCTION OF TECHNICAL COLLEGES FROM 6 TO 4 ESTABLISHMENT OF LIFE ACADEMIES ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY RETURNING OF SCHOOLS TO MISSIONS PROGRMAMMATIC INVESTMENT LENDING (PIL) FROM

WORLD BANK RURAL POSTING INCENTIVES FOR TEACHERS ESTABLISHING POSITIONS OF TUTOR GENERALS ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INSTITUTE OF SCN & TECH.

CURRENT PARTNERSHIPS/PROPOSALS

WORLD BANK – PROGRAMMATIC INVESTMENT LENDING (PIL)

UNICEFSAMSUNG MICROSOFT ACADEMY

OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SECTOR

Encourage establishment of HIGH QUALITY private Primary and Secondary Schools

Provide support for the establishment of Tertiary Institutions

Encourage privately owned academies such as the Microsoft Academy, Technical and general skills transfer arrangements with manufacturers

Provision of amenities for the significant population of Students e.g. Drycleaners, Supermarkets, Markets, Cinema, Spas and so on.

Develop Education Tourism with a view to providing manpower/education for others – Creating Wealth

REFERENCES

Smart Money: Education and Economic DevelopmentBy William Schweke | July 7, 2004

Education and Economic Development:Beginning a Dialogue, Sandra Pianalto

Proposal on Ekiti Life Academy by Dr. Funmilayo Olonisakin and Mr. Adewale Ajadi – Kings College. London

THANK YOU“a greater Ekiti is possible”