Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre (WAMAC) an NGO with the support of MacArthur Foundation held a Town Hall Meeting to Amplify the Fight against Corruption with a theme: “INCLUSIVITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN BORNO STATE PUBLIC EDUCATION SECTOR IN THE POST INSURGENCY RECOVERY EFFORT” held on 13th JULY 2024 at Golden Sand Hotel, Maiduguri, Borno State.
Participants were drawn from the Media, Civil Society Organizations, People with Disabilities (PWD’s), Traditional Rulers, Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Organizations, Borno State Universal Basic Education Board, Principals and teachers, Parent Teachers Association, Borno State Police Command, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
At the end of the Town Hall meeting the following resolutions were made to fast tract the Fight Against Corruption through Community Participation as follows: –
The Town Hall meeting has called for inclusivity in the Education Sector in Borno State to enable citizens to have access to education irrespective of Gender, culture and religion for the development of the state in the post Insurgency era.
Participants call for accountability in governance of the educational sector through budgetary and expenditure earmarks for the schools through effective monitoring to serve the needs of the schools in a transparent manner to curtail excesses and corruption.
The meeting advocates for the involvement of the community, Civil Society organizations and other stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation as well as oversight of educational services to ensure inclusivity and accountability.
The meeting charged the citizens on inclusivity and accountability in education as a moral imperative towards rebuilding more equitable and just society.
The meeting implores the government to improve the welfare and incentives for teachers.
Participants recognize efforts of the government of Borno state in the development of education sector to mitigate shortfalls of infrastructure as a result of insurgency and advocated for a continued investment in education, training of teachers and call for the development of new curriculum of education that gives access to all strata of the society equitably to ensure accountability.
The Town hall meeting recommended the formulation of a resilient education system for anti-corruption measures and upholds the principles of Good Governance.
The Town Hall meeting encourages government and parents to pay special attention to Girl Child Education and People with Special Needs through scholarship and university enrolments for the development of the society economically and politically.
Participants call for active participation of stakeholders in educational governance particularly CSOs, CBOs, NGOs, youth groups, women, physically challenged forums as well as professionals and unions to inculcate inclusivity and enrolment in the education sector in Borno State.
The Town Hall advocates for effective communication between the media, civil society and security agencies and traditional rulers to promote peaceful co-existence that will enhance security and intelligent sharing in the school environment through the Safer School Programme.
Participants also recognized the role of traditional institutions and religious leaders to mole the society towards reorientation and revitalization of family value system to address issues of corruption.
The Town Hall meeting commends Peace FM Radio, Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre (WAMAC) and McArthur Foundation for their efforts in the fight against corruption.
This communique was made this day 13th July 2024 at Maiduguri, Borno State.
