Lagos Compulsory Free UBE Law, 2005
The Lagos Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Law, 2005 sets out a policy to provide free, compulsory, universal basic education for every child of primary and secondary school age and requires parents and guardians to ensure that children of school age in their care attend school.
Scope of Basic Education
Basic education is explicitly defined under the law as early childhood care and education coupled with nine full years of formal schooling.
Constitutional Alignment & UBE Act
The Lagos SUBEB Law is a direct result of the enactment of the UBE Act which requires the establishment of SUBEBs by states. The Lagos SUBEB reiterates the principles as set out in the UBE Act especially the commitment to free, compulsory, universal basic education and the establishment of offences under the Lagos SUBEB Law, its definition of universal basic education, the procedures for the financing of education and the establishment of LGEAs.
Local Decentralization (LGEA Establishment)
The Lagos SUBEB law also establishes a local Government Primary & Junior Secondary Education Authority (LGEA) in each local government area of the State and stipulates that this is subject to the control of Lagos SUBEB. This structure integrates local division management with the state framework.
All operational activities remain subject to the absolute directives of Lagos SUBEB.
Coverage / Roles & Responsibilities
Statutory allocations and diversified architectural streams for funding basic education in Lagos State.
The Lagos SUBEB law provides that the Lagos SUBEB will receive funding for education in Lagos State from federal, State and Local Government and shall include:
UBEC Direct Allocations
Funds allocated explicitly to the Lagos State by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Guaranteed Credits
The appropriate share of contributions derived in the form of federal Guaranteed credits.
Donor Grants
Strategic resources provided via local and international philanthropic donor grants.
Local Annual Budgets
The mandatory standard provision for basic education in the annual budgets of the Local Government.
Intervention Inflows
Intervention funds accruing to UBEC from the Federal Government and a reasonable proportion of the budgetary allocation of the State allocated for basic education.
Staff & HQ Salaries
Funds for salaries of staff of schools and SUBEB headquarters are to be provided explicitly by the State government.
Free Public Education Mandate
Both the UBEC Act and the Lagos SUBEB Law stipulates that services provided in public primary and junior secondary schools are to be provided free of charge. The Lagos SUBEB Law makes additional provisions for financing for education to be made by both the State and Local levels of government.
Dedicated LGEA Bank Accounts
To ensure total systemic accountability and transparency, LGEAs established by the Lagos SUBEB Law are required to establish and maintain a separate bank account to receive payments made to it. This directly preserves fiscal reserves for local schools implementation.
