The problems of Education in Nigeria are multifaceted and demand immediate attention. The worsening quality of education in Nigeria, which is problematic, is blamed on the inability of the government to improve and revamp the educational section. Yearly, a lot of poorly educated graduates are churned into the labour market. What are the Problems of Education in Nigeria and what Possible Solutions?
The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits, according to Wikipedia. It is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing reasoning and judgment skills, and generally intellectually preparing oneself or others for mature life.
According to the findings fully supported by Pro-Papers, an education writing firm in the United States, the education sector should be given special attention because it allows for the development of the country. Unfortunately, the quality and standard of education in Nigeria are low as a result of inadequate attention.
Because Nigeria is a federation, the Ministry of Education is in charge of the education system. The Ministry of Education is in charge of the federal education system. This includes the administration of federal universities and schools. The Ministry of Education controls state public schools and tertiary institutions regionally at the state level.
Here are a few lists of Problems of Education in Nigeria and Possible Solutions
Corruption
Corruption is a major issue in the country, and the educational sector is no exception. There have been reports of lecturers accepting bribes from students in exchange for good grades, university administrators demanding money from students in order for their exam results to be compiled and submitted to the (required) National Youth Service Corps, admission seekers paying money to gain admission to universities, and so on.
Furthermore, school funds intended for salaries, maintenance, and other purposes are being diverted and mismanaged. This applies to all levels of the sector, including universities and private and public secondary schools.
Inadequate Funding
The first, and possibly one of the most serious, challenges confronting education in Nigeria is insufficient funding from the federal, state, and local governments. In 2017, Nigeria’s education sector was again allocated far less than the United Nations-recommended 26 per cent of the national budget.
The global organization advocated for the budgetary benchmark in order for nations to adequately meet rising educational demands. However, President Muhammadu Buhari allocated only 7.04 per cent of the 8.6 trillion 2018 budget to education in his proposal to the National Assembly.
The sector has been allocated N605.8 billion in total, with N435.1 billion for recurrent expenditure, N61.73 billion for capital expenditure, and N109.06 billion for the Universal Basic Education Commission.
Poor Governance
Poor governance and mismanagement have crippled most sectors in the country, including education. The government’s attitude toward critical issues in education, particularly its quality, is cavalier.
Governments at all levels are more concerned with issues other than education, which is crippling the sector.
Inadequate infrastructure
The educational sector has suffered due to a lack of infrastructure, put in place. The schools, universities and colleges are in dire need of infrastructure and critical investments. There are inadequate facilities for a science-based course and a lack of library books.
Lack of Responsibility and Control
This is a problem that affects not only Nigeria but most countries in terms of who controls the educational sector. Is it federal, state, or local government? For example, control of primary education is not fully in the hands of the federal government, nor of state or local governments; this is a significant barrier to effective educational development at the fundamental level.
Work that needs to be done is being passed around, and no level of government wants to take responsibility.
Indiscipline
A lot of indiscipline is permitted in the sector. Bribery and sexual harassment are rife in higher institutions. Exam malpractice has pervaded all schools and sectors. Cult killings and violence are exhibited by miscreants in universities. Lack of effective discipline is one of the Problems of Education in Nigeria.
Politicization of Education
Apart from inadequate funding and infrastructure, at every government level, there is an unhealthy competition to surpass or outshine each other. This leads to the establishment of different higher institutions, which always causes management difficulty and funding issues. For instance, the various chambers of the Nigerian legislative house are notorious for passing bills to establish higher institutions as constituency projects. This drastically depletes the educational quality in the country.
Poor Parenting and Guidance
It has been noted that poor parenting is a contributory factor to the worsening quality of education in the country. Some parents do not take their responsibility as guardians and ‘models’ seriously. They rarely show support, concern or care, although they may want their wards to succeed by all means.
This desperation may drive them to enrol their children in ‘special centres’ where malpractice is rife. Some even go to extra lengths to encourage their kids to engage in all forms of cheating in examinations. Some parents have been known to attack or quarrel with teachers for disciplining their wards in schools.
Lack of Good Teachers Welfare
The frequent strikes that have paralysed the educational system in Nigeria countless times are responsible for poor educational quality in the country. This strike emanates from the blatant disregard for teachers’ welfare by the government at various levels. Some teachers, due to the fact that the government has been paying lip service to their welfare, have gone ahead to look for means to augment their income via ‘side hustle’. This divided attention has been shown to limit students’ performance in examinations and class. A lot of teachers are usually absent from class due to this.
Unstable Curriculum and Subject
An effective curriculum provides a measurable plan and structure for delivering quality education to teachers, students, and administrators. It serves as a road map for teachers and students to follow in order to achieve academic success.
Because of changing policy, most schools are unable to keep up, and the British curriculum is used in the majority of schools.
Lack of Teaching Aids
In addition to the poor welfare of teachers, there is an apparent lack of instructional materials and teaching aids plaguing the entire educational system. These instructional materials and teaching aids are resources that can help teaching processes become more effective. Teaching aids such as books, audio-visual devices, DVDs and computers are never found in some educational institutions and schools. This can cause a serious reduction in the quality of education.
Unstable Staff
The unstable state of teaching has caused most professionals to seek alternatives, and because of the meagre salaries they earn, some of them have other options and pay more attention to these options, which has no doubt affected their effectiveness and dedication.
Lack of Good Teachers’ Welfare
Teachers’ welfare is poor in the sector; teachers are underpaid and lack basic welfare packages. In addition to the low pay, they are not paid on time, which is why we hear about strikes so frequently.
When teachers go on strike, students are asked to go home, which often results in them spending years studying for a course; there have been cases of students studying for five to six years for a four-year course.
Unaffordable Education
In Nigeria, the minimum wage is eighteen thousand nairas, and most families can make ends meet on this. Due to the high cost of school fees, books, and other supplies, it will be difficult for such families to send their children to school. Because of the high cost of obtaining a university education, the majority of people are unable to further their education.
Read: Colleges of Education Offering Adult and Non-Formal Education Courses
Unwillingness to Study Education in Schools
In direct contrast to other ‘professional’ courses in universities and higher institutions, only a meagre number of undergraduates study ‘education’. The number is reducing each year. In 2019, 4% of university aspirants applied to study courses in education faculty. This shows that there is a serious lack of enthusiasm in taking up teaching as a career by students.
Teaching is now regarded as a ‘manageable job’ or ‘job of last resort’ in the country. This has caused loopholes in the teaching profession. So many graduates who have taken up teaching as a career fail to understand the intricacies involved in imparting knowledge and effectively communicating with pupils and students. This situation has led to a drastic fall in the quality of education.
Scarcity and Prohibitive Cost Of Books At All Levels Of Education
The necessary textbooks needed for easier learning are either scarce or ridiculously expensive, making it hard for students or teachers to buy or use them.
The above problems are just a few of the many problems facing the education sector. So what can be done to solve the problems facing the education sector in Nigeria? Find the recommended solutions to the problems below.
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Possible solutions to the problems of education in Nigeria
The above problems of education in Nigeria, some of which are hampering the growth of the educational sector. The solutions to the problems of education in Nigeria are:
- The majority of the issues stem from a lack of funding and insufficient and proper budgetary allocation. To address this issue, the government should provide adequate funding for the acquisition of quality training facilities, the renovation of schools, and the acquisition of good infrastructure to ensure a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
Furthermore, the funds must be properly maintained and monitored in order to avoid mismanagement and embezzlement.
- Governments at all levels must be committed to providing a competitive, high-quality education across the country.
- Examining bodies must work tirelessly to reduce examination malpractice.
- Teachers’ salaries should be raised in order to motivate them to be more effective and dedicated.
- The curriculum must be revised and improved. It should be more practical and researched-based rather than theoretical, and extracurricular activities should be included.
- To ensure the stability of the teaching profession, steps must be taken. Teachers who are qualified and experienced should be hired.
- Teachers and lecturers must be trained on a regular basis to ensure that the information they provide is of high quality.
- Teachers should be provided with high-quality, up-to-date materials, and high-quality teaching aids will aid in the improvement of the education sector.
- Students should be admitted solely on the basis of their merit.
- Penalties should be established for illegally collecting money from students for any reason..
- Only teachers who are qualified and competent should be employed.
- Admission should be based strictly on merit.
Read: I Studied Education – Must I Be A Teacher?
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