Basic education under the former system was 6 years in duration and Secondary education took 6-3-3-4 formations. Thus, bringing pre-university education in the country to 12- year academic journey. This was not cost effective. So to reduce the duration of pre-university education in the country the government introduced the
Recently news was reported that only 27,766 out of 81,076 registered candidates passed in seven subjects of this year’s Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSSCE). An incident so appalling that one doubts the sincerity of class teachers in the exhibition of their responsibilities. Equally disturbing is the assertion attributed to the Minister for Education; Igwe Aja Nwachukwu that those basic schools in
It becomes obvious from the foregoing revelations that the education reform in
Though some people argue for the return to the former system, especially for the duration of pre-university education, I agree with the Presidential Committee on its view that “the 9-year basic education made up of kindergarten, primary and junior schools will be adequate in providing the needed foundation for further education.”
However, I see the need for revamping the resources at the kindergarten (nursery) and primary schools at the basic level to establish quality foundation for the country’s education system. Adequate learning and teaching materials MUST be provided in classroom at that level to ensure effective learning and teaching process.
Teachers must be well prepared for our primary schools throughout the country to facilitate learning and smooth transition for students from the primary to the junior secondary school. This calls for the involvement of the education committees at the district assemblies in effectively recruiting potential and capable teachers for training at the
With the adequate preparation of teachers, well equipped classrooms and effective supervision of teaching at the basic education level
There is also the absolute need to include “pre-school education, which prepares the child to acquire rudimentary skills for transition from home to primary school” as identified by the Presidential Committee on education reform in the government’s plans to improve education in Nigeria. Parents must be made effective partners in this effort. All said and done, education is undoubtedly an effective tool for national development which requires long term investment and coordinated efforts on the part of all the stake holders in education including the government, parents, teachers/educators, students, business bodies and the general public. It is therefore very prudent for any government not to play politics with education but rather take the hard/bitter but effective road to improving education in the country. This calls for long term investment and periodic reviews of national educational policies to assess progress being achieved in the area of education for national development.
The hen that lays the golden egg must be taken very good care of. In the education system Basic Education is that hen! It prepares the child who will become a lawyer or a doctor or a teacher or an accountant or a scientist or a nurse or a businessman, or a pastor in future for further education.
1 comment
the article is a true representation of what obtains in Nigeria. cudos