The Senate has read for the Third Time and Passed the Bill to establish the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (SB 996). The Bill which was transmitted by the Executive to the Senate for consideration and passage seeks to repeal the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act, 2004.
Presenting the report on the Bill at the plenary session of Tuesday, 26 July 2022, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Sen. Akon Eyakenyi (PDP: Akwa Ibom) said that the Bill prescribes the minimum standard for senior secondary education in Nigeria and provides for the management of National Senior Secondary Education Commission Fund.
In her submission, Sen. Eyakenyi explained that the Committee held a public hearing on Wednesday, 22 June 2022, to avail stakeholders the opportunity to make presentations on the Bill, following from which were amendments proposed. These include:
- The addition of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBIAS) All Nigeria Confederation of Principal of Secondary School (ANCOPS) and Persons Living with Disabilities (PWD) as Members of the Board of the Commission
- Expanding of the scope, function and mandate of the Commission to cover technical and vocational training
- Providing free, compulsory and universal education for senior secondary school students.
In conclusion, she informed lawmakers that the Bill contained 33 clauses aimed at strengthening the legislative framework for the senior secondary education sector, specifically with regards to regulatory and financial interventions. She therefore urged the Senate to consider and approve the recommendations contained in the Committee’s report.
The Bill which is an Executive Bill is expected to be also passed by the House of Representatives for onward transmittal to the President for assent.
