BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

ABUJA—The Federal Government yesterday inaugurated a committee, as well as planning and implementation task teams, to drive the development of the nation’s education sector, in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda in the next four years.

Prof Rukayyat Rufa’i, Minister of Education, told the team, chaired by Prof Godswill Obioma, Executive Secretary of Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, NERDC, that government would not hesitate to replace any member of the team that failed to deliver.

She said: “The education sector is central to the attainment of Mr President’s transformation agenda. It is only societies that have individuals with the right skills that can move forward and enhance the social and economic well-being of their members.

“It is in the light of this and in line with Mr President’s directives that a 4-year plan for the development of the education sector, 2011 – 2015, a logical extension from the one year strategy is being developed.

“The plan will draw issues in three key documents which are:  The roadmap for the development of education sector; the one year strategy for the development of education sector, May 2010 – April 2011 and the report of the Presidential Task Team on Education.
“It is important for every member of the committee to give the necessary commitment to the national assignment.

“Every member of the task team has been chosen on merit and should, therefore, demonstrate that my choices have not been misplaced. You are essential to the transformation process. It is, therefore, necessary that you give your commitment to the assignment, she advised.”