US $101 million for basic education

The World Bank on Thursday approved a US $101 million credit for Nigeria towards the implementation of an $180 million Universal Basic Education project. The project aims to revamp the country's education system, which has deteriorated dramatically in the last 20 years, according to a statement from the Bank. Many schools were no longer physically operational, or were operating with fewer classrooms, and furniture and teaching materials were virtually non-existent, it said. Overall enrolment had dropped, with girls lagging behind boys, and teachers - a lot of whom had lost their enthusiasm and devotion - were burdened by teaching in overcrowded classrooms, the Bank added. The Universal Basic Education project, which includes construction and renovation of infrastructures, will cover all 36 states and target the entire education system. The primary and secondary education sectors are each due to receive 33 percent of fund, with the remainder to be spent on general education. Sources at the World Bank told IRIN earlier this year that each state was due to receive $5 million, after all funds have been approved. The project will be divided in three phases, the first of which will involve 16 states.