NIGERIA EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM......THE WAY FORWARD I was caught between my official duties and working on my latest book when I got the request to write on this subject. To me, it was urgent and precise; but I’ve to deliver at the right time. But as I sat before my laptop, I wondered about two things, (1) the target audience of this great movement (De-Intellects Magazine). (2) What kind of information are they expecting when it comes to the subject above? The Nigeria educational system is an all-embracing subject matter that would require a whole lot of hypothesis, research and historical references for one to be able to address its 21st century era. Yeah, it is an era in the sense that our educational sector has experienced a lot of transformation and reformation dated back since independence in 1960. However, I will try as much as possible to present to you some expose’ that needs to be considered inasmuch our subject matter is involved. Nigeria as a nation has been unfair enough, to the detriment of her education sector in its budgetary allocation. In 2013, the allocation was 8.4% of her annual budget for education, this amount to about N427.52 billion. While in 2014; Federal government unrepentantly increased it to 10.7%, which is approximately N493 billion as against the N4.69 trillion budget for the year. Currently, we have over 114 federal, state and private universities; 98 federal, state and private polytechnics; over 43 colleges of education and hundreds of skills acquisition centres nationwide. Annually, these institutions certify over 1 million graduates with less than 10% getting a job within two years of graduation; making our labour market the most populated with lesser openings for employment. As at 2011, statistics shows that Nigeria has over 23 million employable citizens without job. Yet, over 1.5 students sit for Joint Admission & Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams annually in quest to be admitted into the tertiary institutions of their choice. Our educational system has been besieged by parochial minded individuals who are not in any way informed, learned or exposed to the appalling ‘nature’ of the system. People who or their children never schooled here; cabals who see no reason why Ghana (a neighbouring West African country)that is not up to two states put together in Nigeria in terms of GDP, economic strength and population should be allocating 31% of its annual budget on education. Unscrupulous ‘elites’ who could sit back, with folded arms and watch universities and polytechnics go on indefinite strike of close to a year. Education is the best legacy, but in Nigeria, the reverse is the case. The worst that has ever happen to our generation is the damage the system we find ourselves is putting you and me through. I am not trying to scare or infuriate you, let the truth be told, we might be in for a long ride of endless disregard to our educational system. Many battles have been fought by ASUU, ASUP, NUT, NLC, NBA, and a lot have been written, published, broadcasted and law suits filed to let federal government come to terms with the ideology that the economy, leadership credibility or societal competency and value of any nation is built on the quality of its educational system. Quality, credibility has both been the broken bridges that must be amended. For the past four sessional years in roll, WAEC, NECO, GCE and JAMB have kept on recording worse examination results without seeing any reason why they must roll out educational scheme, syllabuses, campaign to enlighten and equip students with the right information from early stage. Business centres have suddenly turned to examination centres; with so many brainwashing statements (some students are lucky at times though) that one is going to make A’s in one sitting just by buying exam forms from them without much studying or reading. Why? Credibility isn’t there anymore. These exam bodies are all pirates; self-centred and gurus in exploitation. Irrespective of all these diggings, findings, exposures, illustrations and pointing of accusing fingers, only you, as an individual would decide your own fate and destination in midst of them all. What Is The Way Forward.....in midst of all these? Get educated, but don’t get trapped. Many system of the world were designed to create more market, more frustrated people, more impoverish race and family, more educated illiterates, more academically certified jobless people, more jambites, more carry over’s and more and more and more. The list is endless. A market as big as over 23 million unemployed employable youth can give any conglomerate, with well tailored products/services an annual revenue of over N22.9 billion if they all patronise and spend an average of N1000 (one thousand naira) annually on the company’s brand. Out of every disadvantaged circumstance, opportunities abound. Get educated, but don’t get trapped! Four years ago after my NYSC, I tried imagining what my tag number could be in a queue of 20 million Nigerians searching for anything at all called job. At that moment, I realised and noted the following points. They changed my mindset and have kept me on my heels till date. Your Certification Is Not Final: As students, often times we are caught up in the rat race of just getting the trade mark that we sincerely passed through a place called school by studying so hard for the certification. When we finally stepped out of the four walls of college, we get overwhelmed by the circumstances of real life. At that point, most people get trapped and knocked out. The one thing they easily tell you is how they are graduates, learned and had good grades. Develop yourself beyond the limits of your certifications. Education is the foundation that must be built on—and only your inherent developed abilities can do that for you. I once asked a group of audience, “If your credentials, name and background are taken away from you, how would you describe yourself?” Develop a skill today that will take you places; because the world economy system has been designed in such a way that only the mega rich and people with impeccable mindset decides the fate of others. There are jobs out there, but what chances have you got to grab your hands at one when in every single opening anywhere, there would be more than ten thousand applicants hustling for it. TO BE CONTINUED
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 07:19:37 +0000