The relevance of education to human development can never be overly emphasized. Education is the right of every human and as such should be accorded to every human irrespective of gender, class, race, and religion.
Education in Nigeria has suffered a great deal of setbacks, including poor funding, inadequate classrooms, and teaching equipment, a dearth of quality teachers, and poor learning environments.
These setbacks have yielded poor educational achievement and limited employability choices. Again, these inadequacies in our education system have plagued the school system with numerous social vices such as examination malpractices, hooliganism, cultism, and corruption.
It is important to note that education is among the basic standard to measure the growth and development of any nation. If you want to destroy a nation kill its Education System.
Nevertheless, this work will go to point out problems and possible solutions that can upgrade Nigeria Education system.
Table of Contents
- The Problem with Nigerian Education System and Solutions
- 1. Poor Financing
- 2. Poor leadership and incompetence
- 3. Embezzlement of Funds
- 4. Concerted Corrupt Practices
- 5. Lack of discipline
- 6. Existence of Poor Schools in Nigeria
- 7. Misappropriation of Funds
- 8. Poor or lack of responsibility
- 9. Bad Economy
- 10. Persistence Industrial Action
- Conclusions
The Problem with Nigerian Education System and Solutions
1. Poor Financing
This is the most pressing issue in the educational system. Not only in Nigeria but in various regions across the world. Education in Nigeria is underfunded at all levels. For instance, in 2020, Nigeria’s education budget is much less than the 26% suggested by the United Nations.
There is inadequate funding of the system which has left a great lacuna in the system. However, the Nigerian government should prioritize in funding the education system to enhance rapid development and a smooth learning atmosphere.
2. Poor leadership and incompetence
The poor leadership system in Nigeria has greatly impacted on the economy, making the education system difficult for the industry to manage.
Nigeria’s educational system has been handled politically rather than the way it should be. The Nigerian Educational System for decades has suffered various challenges.
This is as a result of the poor leadership system. The leaders have toiled with the education sector, failing to understand that it is the bedrock of the development of the nation.
According to United Nations (2013), Nigeria has the highest number of school dropouts in the world. There is a great deal of neglect, to the level that just a little part of the country’s annual budget goes into the system.
It’s imperative that attention be given to the educational sector. I dare say, it is the heartbeat of the nation.
3. Embezzlement of Funds
Personnel handed the reins of fund management of the educational system have degenerated into systemic criminals.
Some of these personnel have gone about diverting funds mapped for Nigeria’s Education system for personal use. Nevertheless, strict measures should be put in place to help checkmate individuals who might tamper with the Education fund of the nation.
4. Concerted Corrupt Practices
Concerted corrupt practices have permeated every facet of governance in Nigeria. At every level of schooling, this is a common happening.
Members of the schooling institutions, particularly school administrators, engage in bribery, lobbying aiding, and abating examination malpractices on a regular basis. Strict laws should be put in place to contain these evil acts in their entirety.
5. Lack of discipline
Poor discipline is another issue that has permeated the school system like a cankerworm. It is fairly unnatural for students to engage in academic dishonesty, while others establish secret cults.
It is of great importance that all of these things are trashed since children are Nigeria’s future leaders, and the coming generations are children. In the absence of immediate action, Nigeria’s future is doomed to inevitable extinction.
Discipline and moral values should be inculcated into the children to help build a sound and healthy society
6. Existence of Poor Schools in Nigeria
The decline in educational standards in Nigeria over the last two decades has resulted in Nigeria being the primary source of pupils from Africa who go overseas in pursuit of a better education.
Nigerian students who study abroad, often perform admirably well, however, and are among the best in Europe and certain other parts of the globe. Capable hands should be brought into the system to help rejig it.
7. Misappropriation of Funds
There is a great deal of fund misappropriation and lack of accountability in fund management. Funds designed to support education infrastructure, as well as operating schools and institutions, have been reported missing on many occasions.
Strict accountability measures should be put in place for better fund management.
8. Poor or lack of responsibility
This is also among the reason Education System in Nigeria has collapsed. However, lack of discipline, not just amongst the students, but also among the staff is an issue that is present over the past decades in this nation.
Nevertheless, teachers should be cautioned and also made to understand the dangers of any form of waywardness and the punishments attached to it.
9. Bad Economy
Nigeria’s economy is fast going down the drain. Life has rather become survival of the fittest and people live in limited conditions which frequently result in a lack of quality in many different areas, including education.
This however, has chopped greatly into the well-being of the education system. Since 2017 Nigeria the Buharis led government has made little or no impact in the economy building.
The nation’s GDP is rising day by day this has not facilitated growth in the educational sector. Nonetheless, good heads should be introduced into the leadership system.
10. Persistence Industrial Action
The rate with which academic staffs go on strike has greatly damaged the school calendar, and this has made academic programs become prolonged oftentimes. Academic and non-academic staff should be well paid.
Conclusions
Poor leadership and mismanagement have endangered the education sector like all other sectors. The government’s attitude towards crucial problems of education, especially its quality, is lazily attended to. Full maximum funding and support will go a long way in boosting the education system in Nigeria.
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