ABUJA — A bill to amend the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC) Act passed second reading in the Senate on Tuesday and was referred to the Committees on Primary and Secondary Education.

Sponsored by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the bill seeks to improve the administration, coordination and funding of public senior secondary schools in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. It provides for direct intervention in the infrastructure and learning resources of Federal Unity Colleges and Armed Forces Senior Secondary Schools. Bamidele stressed the need for clear criteria for sharing funds and for financial accountability.

During the debate, the Chief Whip, Tahir Monguno, supported the bill, while Senator Diket Plang said it would help bring uniform standards. Senator Ahmed Lawan called for technology and artificial intelligence to be added to the curriculum, and Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed sanctions for states with large numbers of out-of-school children.