…urges urgent action to bridge rural–urban disparities
The Civil Society Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) has urged the Delta State Government to substantially increase its budgetary allocation to the education sector, particularly targeting underserved and rural communities.
The call was made by the Delta State Coordinator of CSACEFA, Mrs. Juliana Nzemeke, during the 2025 Education Summit organized by the coalition with support from the Education Out Loud Project, held at the Delta State Secretariat, Asaba.
With the theme “Education Financing: Addressing Rural Education Disparities through Enhanced Budgetary Provision in Delta State,” the summit convened key education stakeholders, civil society representatives, and government officials to deliberate on funding gaps and the need for policy reforms to strengthen educational equity.
Mrs. Nzemeke emphasized that education transcends the acquisition of knowledge, describing it as a tool for unlocking potential, fostering critical thinking, and empowering individuals to shape their destinies while building resilient communities.
She lamented that, despite numerous national and international commitments, rural areas in Delta State continue to face neglect in education development, an issue that poses a serious threat to the future of young learners and the state’s overall progress.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Michael Emeshili, an education policy expert, noted that effective education financing requires strategic planning and implementation beyond mere disbursement of funds.
He stressed that equitable resource allocation covering tuition, infrastructure, teaching personnel, and operations is critical to closing the widening gap between rural and urban schools.
Representing the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, the Director of Planning, Mrs. Fidelia Atogun, commended CSACEFA for convening the summit, affirming that the state government is already taking deliberate steps to address disparities in education access and outcomes across Delta communities.
Also speaking, Mr. Monday Ifoghere, Director of the Patmon Community Development Centre, Eku, identified persistent challenges in rural education, including poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, and insecurity.
He decried the reluctance of posted teachers to resume duties in remote areas and called for stronger policy measures to ensure accountability and service delivery.
He further urged civil society organizations to collaborate and maintain a unified advocacy front, emphasizing the need to sustain pressure until the education system becomes inclusive, equitable, and functional.
A major highlight of the summit was the presentation of a Policy Brief analyzing the 2022–2025 Delta State Education Budget, which revealed significant funding gaps and highlighted how current allocations fall short of meeting international education financing benchmarks.
