President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the global community for collaborative partnerships that build a framework of ideas and enable it to position learners at the core of its national efforts to transform schooling. According to him, no country can develop beyond the capacity of its educational system.”

Many of the country’s universities have remained shut down for more than six months over Mr Buhari’s refusal to meet the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The Nigerian leader made the call on Monday while delivering Nigeria’s statement at the Transforming Education Summit (Leaders Roundtable) organised on the margins of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

“In transforming education, we must not erect borders. Where they exist, we must bring them down, as we have much to learn from each other. As we are aware, improving equitable and inclusive access to quality educational opportunities is germane to ensuring the full development of our societies,” said the Nigerian leader. “No country can develop beyond the capacity of its educational system.”

The president said it would be difficult to have a meaningful conversation about transforming the national education systems without transforming the teaching profession and called for more deliberations on efforts to expand innovations and research on teacher education and the professional development of teachers.

“The process of building a sustainable teacher supply chain to address the challenges of teacher shortages is important and calls for global action,” he stated. “Nigeria also wishes to reiterate the need for all member states and stakeholders to address the systemic and structural issues that hamper access to quality education. It is only when we do this that we can create a world truly fit for all, and where no one is left behind.’”

According to him, using information technology as a teaching tool holds the promise of transforming and erasing the boundaries of learning and re-engineering how learning occurs within and outside the classroom.

Mr Buhari expressed optimism that bridging the digital divide would offer Nigeria opportunities to expand learning and transform the education system, even as we build an ecosystem of knowledge and a truly resilient society.

“Nigeria is restoring trust with its people in order to provide safe learning environment and responsive services. That was why we were among the first to endorse the Safe Schools Declaration (SSD) while developing a national policy on school safety and security,” he told the UN gathering.

(NAN)