The need for educational institutions in Nigeria to provide equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalised from a system has been stressed by the Minister for Education, Professor Tahir Mamman.

Addressing newsmen recently, the former Vice Chancellor of Baze University, Abuja, also emphasised the need for religious tolerance in schools, noting that this remains the hallmark of democratic ideals.

The Minister spoke as regards stories making the round that some primary and secondary schools in the country were forcing religious prayers and songs on students in their schools even expelling students who refuse to submit to such religious activities.

While at a ministerial session of the high-powered 67th National Council on Education policy meeting held in Lagos last week, Mr. Mamman stressed the need to bridge the gap between policies and implementation if the education sector is to experience positive progress.

The 5-day policy convergence had in attendance Commissioners for Education from the 36 states of the federation and other stakeholders in the education industry.