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By Philip Nwosu
Provost of St. Augustine College of Education in Lagos, Dr. Vincent Kayode Olofinkua, has called for stronger collaboration between government and mission schools as a pathway to rebuilding quality education in Nigeria.
Speaking at a symposium themed: “Rebuilding quality education in Nigeria through collaboration between government and mission Schools,” Dr. Olofinkua said the nation’s education sector is facing serious challenges that require urgent collective action from all stakeholders.
According to him, education remains the foundation of national development, moral transformation and social progress, stressing that no nation can rise above the quality of its educational system.
He identified declining standards, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of qualified teachers, poor funding, examination malpractice and moral decadence among students as some of the major problems confronting the sector.
Dr. Olofinkua noted that mission schools historically played a major role in the development of education in Nigeria before extensive government involvement in the sector. He said mission schools were widely known for discipline, academic excellence, moral formation and holistic development of students.
He added that many of Nigeria’s prominent leaders and professionals were products of mission schools where values, integrity and service were emphasized alongside academic achievement.
The cleric, however, acknowledged the important role government schools continue to play in providing access to education for millions of Nigerians, saying neither government nor mission schools can effectively address the challenges in isolation.
“Collaboration has therefore become not merely an option, but a necessity.”
He urged stakeholders to reflect on critical questions affecting the future of education in the country, including how government and mission schools can work together to restore discipline and quality education, improve teacher welfare and infrastructure, and integrate value-based education into the school system.
He also stressed the need for faith-based institutions to complement government efforts without compromising educational standards and inclusiveness.
According to him, rebuilding quality education goes beyond constructing classrooms or revising curricula, noting that it also involves restoring values, forming character, inspiring creativity and preparing future generations to become responsible citizens and transformational leaders.
The symposium attracted religious leaders, government officials, academics, education administrators, teachers, students and other stakeholders in the education sector.
