The Nigerian educational system has lost most of its values of the past. Everyone is responsible for the decay, including the government, the teachers, school administrators, and the students.
Even parents and guardians are not left out. So, a systematic approach towards resolving the Nigerian education crises will have to consider everyone. The government has a significant role in turning things around, but the other stakeholders must also be willing to play their critical roles.
Virtually everything looks gloomy presently in the Nigeria education standard. Be that as it may, there is still hope, and things can turn out positively if the stakeholders get down to work.
However, kudos must be given to privately owned education institutions in Nigeria as they have done wonders, thereby giving hope that things can still get better. The only problem has to do with the high cost of education in those private institutions.
Everything rises and falls on leadership. So, the bulk of the responsibility lies with the government. A serious government will successfully bring about the highly desired positive changes to the Nigeria education system since it can use its might and political willingness to rein in all stakeholders.
So, what are the essentials things that need to be done to boost the quality of education in Nigeria? Continue reading to find out.
Increase in funding
Adequate funding is required in the Nigerian education sector, and this is where the government comes in. The reality of education is that nothing can work without funding, and the cost of education is increasing by the day. So, funding needs to increase. Some private organizations, both profit and non-profit, offer financial assistance to public education institutions in Nigeria, but their contribution can only do this much. So, the government is left with the bulk of the funding burden.
The government needs to implement the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation on education funding, which states that at least twenty-six percent (26%) of the national budget should be allocated to education.
In today's Nigeria, the education budget does not even reach up to ten percent (10%) of the federal budget. The government, therefore, has a lot to do in the area of education funding.
Annihilation of examination malpractices
Examination malpractices have become the "norm," unfortunately, in many public and private education institutions in Nigeria today. It is saddening to realize that some parents even bribe teachers to favor their wards. Yes, it is that bad. Some teachers insist that they will make their students fail, except the latter pay bribe.
What is the possible way out? Reorientation of the teachers, students, and parents can go a long way in stemming the tide of examination malpractices.
Relevant authorities should also improve teachers' welfare, and this can remove any excuse they may have to demand bribes from their students. It must be stated that such reorientation can only bring the desired resolution of the problem gradually. So, patience is also required, and consistency must be the watchword.
Technical and vocational centers can help
Nigeria's population is growing at an exponential rate. So, the existing higher institutions cannot give admission to the growing number of students that may want to proceed to institutions of higher learning.
However, the higher education needs of these students can be adequately met via technical and vocational training centers. The existing technical centers in Nigeria are nothing to write home about. For one, they are understaffed. Furthermore, they are underfunded. They are equally not productive enough to ignite interest in prospective students.
The government can turn the tide by catering to the staffing and funding needs of these technical and vocational training centers. If well funded, many students will not mind opting for these technical and vocational training centers in place of universities and polytechnics. It will also not be a bad idea if the government can upgrade technical trading centers to colleges of education or even Polytechnics.
Establishment of independent monitoring, implementation, and inspection committee or agency
It is not enough for the government to provide funding for education; the government needs to go to the next level of ensuring the proper implementation and utilization of the funds it allocates to education. Failure to do this will lead to financial misappropriation and corruption. The primary purpose of the funding will not be achieved.
The best way to do this is to set up a body saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the implementation process of the funds provided by the government. Such a body should be independent and given a free hand to operate to carry out its duty without fear or favor. Such a body should even be given the authority to arrest and prosecute offenders, and it is a question of time before the Nigeria of our dreams become a reality in the education sector.
Free and compulsory education
If education is expensive, one should try ignorance for a change. Education can transform the mind and make a man reason out of the box. If a larger percentage of Nigeria's population can be educated appropriately, the chances are that the country's problems can be solved to a great extent.
What if the populace can access education for free, at least to a particular level? That will be the day! If the government cannot sponsor free education to the university level, at least free education should reach the secondary school level
Free education should not just be limited to free tuition. The government should also get the schools adequately funded to access quality and free education. Anything short of this is not acceptable in the bid to transform the education system in Nigeria.
Conclusion
We have mentioned several points above about how to improve the standard of Nigeria's education system. All the stakeholders need to be consistent in playing their parts so that the desired outcome can be achieved. It may take time for the rot to be eradicated, but a constant commitment will see it come to pass in our lifetime. Politicians should have enough political will to be a force for good towards improving education standards in Nigeria.
