Evaluation of Achievement of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Delta State.

Introduction Nigeria has experienced the implementation of different educational systems with their attendant problems. Universal Basic Education (UBE) is being implemented in the country. In fact, the extent to which the UBE programme achieves its objectives could be determined through evaluation. This is the extent to which objectives of the programme are being achieved. Hence, evaluation (which is objective judgment) is required to determine the true achievement or effectiveness of the UBE programme and make improvement where necessary. Thus, the focus of this study is the evaluation of UBE in Delta State. Federal Ministry of Education (FME, 1999) stated that the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme in Nigeria was formerly launched in 1999 with the following specific objectives: --Developing in the entire citizenry a strong consciousness for education and a strong committment to its vigorous promotion. --The provision of free Universal Basic Education for every Nigerian child of school going age. --Reducing drastically the incidence of drop-out from the formal school system (through improved, relevance, quality and efficiency). --Catering for the learning needs of young persons who for one reason or another had to interrupt their schooling through appropriate forms of complementary approaches to the provision and promotion of basic education. --Ensuring the acquisition for the appropriate level of literacy, numeracy, manipulative, communicative and like skills as well as the ethical, moral and civic values needed for laying a solid foundation for live long learning (p.1). It should be noted that the universalization of basic education is in keeping with the requirements of the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria (FRN, 1999), whose educational objectives are as follows: to direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels, and to eradicate illiteracy. These should be achieved through the following: (a) Free, compulsory and universal primary education. (b) Free secondary education (c) Free university education, and (d) Free adult and literacy programme Similarly, the Federal Government of Nigeria (2004) in her national policy on education recommended the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programe. The policy states that: Basic education shall be of 9 years duration, comprising 6 years of primary education and 3 years of junior secondary education. It shall be free and compulsory. It shall also include adult and non-formal education programmes at primary and junior secondary education levels for the adults and out-of-school youths (Federal Government of Nigeria, 2004:13). It should be noted that the specific goals of basic education are the same as the goals of the level of education to which each applies (i.e. primary education, junior secondary education and adult and non-formal education). This implies that the 6-3-3-4 educational system and the UBE have some related specific goals. The UBE in Nigeria is guided by the Jomtein Declaration and Framework of Action on Education for All. Therefore, the Universal Basic Education includes the following: --Programmes/initiatives for early childhood care and socialization. --Education programmes for the acquisition of functional literacy, numeracy and life-skill especially for adult (person aged 15 and above). --Special programme for nomadic population. --Out of school, non-formal programmes for updating the knowledge and skills of persons who left school before acquiring the basics needed for life-long learning. --Non-formal skills and apprenticeship training for adolecent and youths who have not had the benefit of formal education. --The formal school system from the beginning of primary education to the end of the junior secondary school. …