The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Thursday, inaugurated a 15-man committee for the take-off of the National Commission for Secondary Education.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Sonny Echono, while setting up the committee, in Abuja, charged it to work with modalities for the smooth take-off of the commission.

The law establishing the commission was passed in 1999, but has not been implemented.

Echono noted that the commission would have a trim and an efficient workforce.

According to him, the law setting up the 20-year-old commission must be reviewed by the committee.

“The president approved secondary education commission to fill the identified gap because we have TETFund seeing through tertiary education and UBEC the basic education.

“The secondary school education was seen as an orphan but this commission will help fill the gap.

“The primary function of this commission is to set standards and ensure education meet the needs of our country as well as global competitiveness,” he said.

Echono, however, called on members to submit a draft report within three weeks to determine the organisational structure and manpower requirements of the commission.

The permanent secretary of the ministry serves as the chairman of the committee, while the members are: Dr Lami Amidu, Director, Basic Education; Mrs. E.O. Adedigba, Director, Technical and Science Education; and Mr C.O Ogbede, Director, Education, Planning, Research and Development.

Others are Mr. Anwalu Kolo, Director, Human Resources; and Mrs. O.O. Ajibade, Director, Legal Services and Staff from agencies in the ministry. (THISDAY)