The
problematic Nigerian education system and the way forward
Following
a paper of Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo, Senior Special Assistant of Edo
State Governor, the debate over overcoming the challenges of
developing the Education System in Nigeria has come up. Nigeria is a
former British colony which was accused of being underdeveloped due
to its own citizens. This grievance makes it's place in Edokpolo's
writing. Nigeria got its 'republic' status in the year 1963, after
'flag independence' of 1960. The contribution of British colonizers
in 'civilizing' Nigeria is a historical debate of crucial and
decisive importance, that works as reference that's either to be
assumed or negated, in making future policy. This decision will give
direction to education policy and orientation to the nation towards
future ahead.
Defining
education and the grievance of Nigeria about interpreting the
definition, in making policy and implementation
According to
Wikipedia, that summarises the concept of 'education' in the West,
'education' is : “an act or process of developing and cultivating
(whether physically or mentally or morally) ones mental activity or
senses; the expansion, strengthening, and discipline of one's mind,
faculty, etc; the forming and regulation of principles and character
in order to prepare and fit for any calling or business by systematic
instruction.” Nigeria, under the rule of British colonizers, were
structured to function as a helping hand of the imperial government.
The education was also fashioned accordingly to produce executives
following colonial instructions. This ideal of following instructions
being educated through formal training, is mentioned precisely in the
above-mentioned definition. Later, after independece, the country
followed the American-model, which was also Western. The
commonsensical definition of education being a medium of :
'transmission of knowledge and worthwhile values from a person to
another', that transcends generations, is exactly what constitutes
arguments of nationalists like Edokpolo who saw the fading away of
national cultural values in the centralised education-model of
foreign origin.
Recommendations
for development
Modernisation
has to be balanced with an eye towards local cultural preservation in
education as well, that will patronise patriotism.
Now the
recommendations made precisely in reaserch, that will pave the way
with good intention for the way forward for Nigeria :
1) As
mentioned above, the recommended and supposed promotion of Edo
language and cultural values in Edo State for example, is to be the
model for educating cultural values throughout the extended territory
of quasi-federal Nigeria of 36 states. Keeping that in mind, the
primitive dogmatic cultism induced in youth to retain power is to be
curbed, to promote a healthy environment for education.
2) The issue
of fund comes second in the list, for building material infrastucture
that's the very raw, crude and physical need for (classroom)
education to take place.
3)
Technical education is to be emphasised. Nigeria, which was once a
good prospect for the world in producing technocrats in the region,
is lagging behind. Lack of initiative and consistent forward-looking
decision making has brought this state, in which the country has to
import rudimentary material
from Asian countries which were far behind them industrially once.
4) Education
has to be made cheap and available that makes it accessible to the
vast poorer section of an African country like Nigera. So, the
affordability matters, that will make education worthy of the effort
to reach the grassroot level of the country.
5) Finally,
education has to be competitive that's an essential in any case,
appealing to the basic human nature of excelling over others in the
struggle for survival that will provide the urge to be educated.
Article source - bit.ly/1AQUNL3
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