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INTRODUCTION
In our last episode, we proffered some recommended solutions vide – the roles of government and other stakeholders including the regulatory frameworks. Today, we shall continue same by taking certain parameters into consideration- advocate for adequate remuneration for teaching and non-teaching personnel; also ensure that the admission of student into any institution of learning must be based strictly on merit; all stakeholders in educational sector (the government, proprietors/proprietress, teachers and all involved in impacting knowledge) should reconsider going back to the 6-3-3-4 system of education; encourage sponsorship of education, ensure there must be a deliberate policy to incentivize teachers in rural communities, bring back morals, values and ethics as part of admission requirements, strengthen whistle-blowing on corruption, introduce restorative justice for students, involve parents and guardians in decision-making, discourage rampant strikes by university personnel and create anti-cult groups. Later we shall conclude with UNICEF’s idea that: “all Nigerian children deserve a fighting chance – no matter who they are and where they are. And this must include an education. It is not only their right – it is the smartest and best way to secure the future of Nigeria as a whole”. Please read on.
Adequate remuneration for teaching and non-teaching personnel
To enhance the quality of education at all levels, fair living wages, which can motivate teachers and non-teaching staff to do their work on a high-quality level, must be ensured. This will attract qualified and dedicated teachers and do away with the present attitude of young people who now desert the teaching profession for better and more remunerative professions. Teachers themselves must be comprehensively vetted before employment.
Admission must be based strictly on merit
Admission into tertiary institutions should be based solely on merit and nothing more. Quota system which kills merit and discourages initiative, while encouraging mediocrity must be dispensed with.
Reconsider the 6-3-3-4 system of education
There is the urgent need to redesign the system of education in Nigeria, since the current 6-3-3-4 model has failed the test of times. Not much development, whether on science or technology, has been achieved under it.
Sponsorship of education must be encouraged
The idea of wealthy individuals sponsoring children who are in need through schools should be encouraged. This could be by way of scholarships, bursaries and special grants.
There must be deliberate policy to incentivise teachers in rural communities
Policymakers and governments should not only focus on funding education through building new schools and improving others, but must also increase funding and incentives to teachers, particularly those teaching and living in rural low-income areas. This is because most teachers prefer to work in affluent urban areas because of the potentials for better pay and working conditions. The quality of teaching in such poor rural schools suffer immeasurably. This must be avoided now before it is too late.
Bring back morals, values and ethics as part of admission requirements
Moral uprightness and rectitude – not just merit alone – should form part of the yardstick for entry into schools and recruitment of staff, whether academic or non-academic. This should also be the case in entry into offices in the larger society. As mandated by the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), we must bring back values, morals, ethics, integrity and anti-corruption ethos in all our schools curricula. Fighting corruption is a task for all, since the school environment is a microcosm of, and therefore affected by larger societal corruption.
Strengthen whistle-blowing on corruption
The culture of whistle-blowing which appears now abandoned by the Government, must be re-introduced and strengthened, with more incentives. Monetary reward and protection must be accorded all whistle-blowers. The policy appears to have died down after the initial surge because the government is said to have short-changed whistle-blowers who discovered huge hidden sums.
Introduce restorative justice for students
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Alternative disciplinary measures, rather than outright expulsion or suspension can lead to significant improvement in student retention and success in schools. Focusing on restorative justice as a means of conflict resolution, as opposed to sterner measures has been found effective. Restorative justice focuses on rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with student victims and the community at large.
Involve parents and guardians in decision-making
Involving parents in their children’s education can contribute to a student’s achievements. When parents come together with school authorities and policy makers with coherent messages about the changes they would like to see in their children’s education systems, the students will benefit more.
Discourage rampant strikes by university personnel
The various academic unions for universities, polytechnics and secondary schools are always in the news for persistent strikes; and this is not always their fault. The government fails to remunerate or pay them their dues, or give them certain agreed rights which they are entitled to. Government usually refuse to implement agreements. There have been strikes for various reasons in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022. Indeed, ASUU alone has embarked on 16 strikes in 23 years. Students now use between 7 and 10 years to graduate from a 4 year program. This must be halted immediately.
Create anti-cult groups
Special anti-cultism groups should be created in schools with the aim to stopping cult practices in secondary and tertiary schools; and arresting offenders, who must also be prosecuted.
Conclusion
UNICEF best sums up the ideal which every Nigerian (and friend of Nigeria) desires or craves for his children: “All Nigerian children deserve a fighting chance – no matter who they are and where they are. And this must include an education. It is not only their right – it is the smartest and best way to secure the future of Nigeria as a whole”.
It is clear from our above discourse and analysis that once we get the educational system right, every other thing will fall in to place. Education is the most powerful weapon with which we can change the world. Knowledge, they say is power. An educated citizenry is an enlightened citizenry. An enlightened citizenry is free from ignorance, bondage and primordial cravings. He is even easier to govern. Little wonder the pride of place which education occupies under various Constitutions, the African Charter and the United Nationals Declaration on Human Rights, 1948. As usual, however, the devil is in the detail. In other words, the concrete realization of the lofty goals of these discussed precepts is the major challenge. As ever, however, where there is a will, there is a way. And it is the leadership that shows the way. There must be political will to see these precepts manifest results. As the late novelist, Prof. Chinua Achebe, opined in his book “The Problem with Nigeria”, with the right leadership, Nigeria will fulfill its destiny and reach its full potential. I must add, with the right citizenry (civil society). Education might not be a silver bullet or a magic wand which we can wave to make all our problems disappear; but it is certainly the best guarantee for a secure, peaceful, prosperous, egalitarian and stable Nation, governed by law, and not by men. It is the only guarantee of fairness, equity and social justice. As the popular saying goes, “If you are not informed, you are deformed”. We can emulate the Asian Tigers, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, which used education as a key component of their strategic growth plans and rapid industrialization. (The end).
Thought for the week
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
(Nelson Mandela)
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education”.
(Martin Luther King, Jr.)
