We are in an increasingly
competitive world where the correct training and development of the human
resource is vital for the growth and development of any society. For Nigeria to
join the emerging global powers and develop its economy, it must look at her
educational system. The country must do a critical assessment of the
educational system, look at the problems, and try to find a solution. This is
the path towards achieving a sustainable, productive and competitive work
force.
The problem with our educational
system is that it is a product of the Nigerian system. We should look at it
from the pervasive corruption in the land, Unhealthy Strike Actions, erosion of
our value system, lack of good governance, bad policy implementation and the
over importance placed on certificates. These and some others factors have made
the educational system in Nigeria not only weak but also dangerous. We should
not treat education as if it is different from every other sector .It is the
same environment were most of the basic things are not working the way it
should be. We have adopted the same principle and culture in every thing we do.
Almost all the stakeholders in our educational system have a share of the
blame, the government, the teachers, the administrators, the students and the
society. According to Rueben Abati in his article on educational standard in
Nigeria.. ’the country is a victim also of the
collapse of values, bottom-up and top-to-bottom, blame the politicians who
steal public resources and live ostentatiously; the administrators who steal
the funds meant for the education sector, the religious leaders who
preach the message of miracles and prosperity and parents who are willing to
help their children cheat….” The current blame game on 6-6-3-4 system of education
will not solve the problem. Any system we adopt with the same mindset will
equally result in the same situation. In almost all the sphere and sectors in
Nigeria, we have good policies but our implementation of these polices are
always faulty. We are in a society that no longer respects merit and hard work;
but easy assess and admiration to unaccounted wealth, culture of lawlessness
and faulty value system. Students and other stakeholders adopt short measures
towards addressing the problems. This can be seen in the rampant examination
malpractice, recruitment of unqualified teachers, inadequate funding and where
funding is available outright embezzlement and corruption.
We should do a thorough analysis towards
identifying the problem that have engulfed our educational system and find a
lasting solution towards redeeming the hope of our country. Demographically,
the bulk of our population is in our youth. Incidentally, they also constitute
our labour force and the bedrock we need to build on if we are to compete in an
increasing global world. To help us achieve this, the government and other
stakeholders need to address some of the pressing problems. Just as we talk of
the energy sector and the need to declare a state of emergency in that sector;
it is important that we tackle the issue of education, This is because
education, power and improved infrastructure are the major sectors that can
effectively drive our economy and liberate us from the shackles of
underdevelopment. Education is the bedrock of any thriving society but
unfortunately, ours is in a serious dilapidated state and needs urgent
revolution and transformation. For us to achieve this we need to look at it
from a holistic view.
Strike Actions
is one of the major challenges facing educational system in Nigeria. Its
effects on the future of Nigerian Student is harmful.
one of the elements that has been well
structured to distract the education
system in Nigeria is strike. Over the years, Nigerian Students
across various institutions of higher learning are constantly faced with
industrial action, either by the Academic or Non-Academic Staff Union of various
institutions. As we speak, students are
sitting in their various homes. these strike actions are mostly caused by disagreement between the government
and the unions of various institutions, arising from non-implementation or
partial implementation of former agreements reached. The disagreement or lack
of understanding between government and academic community often result in
deadlock that usually disrupts academic calendar. All these years, the
situation hadn’t changed but its rather worsened. New measures to solving their in-differences should have been discovered by now .embarking on strike action
every now and then is now old fashion
The Effect
on a Nigerian Student:
As the saying
goes, when two elephants fights, it is the grass that suffers it. The grass, in
this case is the students who bear the brunt of the disagreement.
Incessant strikes dwindle the academic performances of
students. As learning is suspended for a long period, the students reading
abilities fall. Even the knowledge acquired during the learning period is
even forgotten by some students. This mostly turns some students into
certificate seekers than knowledge seekers. Some students abandoned schooling
due to it tiring nature system, while some students seek greener land(travel
abroad) at all cost. Some due to idleness venture into all manner of unspeakable crimes: such as Male and female prostitution cultist, rituals
internet scammers, armed robber, fraudsters. Among others. “An idle man” they
say, “is the devils workshop.”Also, most protracted strikes distort the school calendar. The after-effect is prolonged school year that exceeds stipulated periods. Most academic activities for the school year are distorted. This is one major cause of producing unqualified graduates who are deficient in their fields of study. In the same vein, students who are supposed to do a four year course end up spending six years in the school for a simple programme.
Undergraduates taking on menial jobs in factories in other to get busy and to shred negative ideas while awaiting resumption might sustain high level of injuries or might loss their lives( due to in-experience) in the course of doing their job. Strike action reshaped some undergraduates lives for the worse, the young men needing to start been a father, in a way of jeopardizing the great future ahead of him, some struggle to get back to school while some opt out…….. In the case of ladies. It expose them to the risk unwanted pregnancies, abortion, all kind of Sexually transmitted diseases. (STDs) .I could
remember in our days of 13 month strike then: upon resumption, in my department alone,we had five (5) nursing mothers,six (6) were heavily pregnant while some didn’t bother to resume school since they were married.
Presently, Private institution in Nigeria is on a high side even when it so expensive. The industrial action have actually help private institution to earn more in the recent time. Parents struggle to raise found either by loan at work, co-operative ,from worship centers.etc. since they are left with no choice.
Factors that often lead to strike in our institutions should be addressed. There is no doubt that the infrastructures in most of our schools are as old as the years of the schools. This is unacceptable.A conducive learning atmosphere is a sine-qua-non for quality education. In addition, education should be properly and adequately funded to encourage effective research and to avoid brain drain. Proper funding and equipment of Nigerian universities will go a long way to stop further strike action. Meanwhile, government should always try to honor whatever agreement reached with the academic communities. Most protracted strikes can be averted if necessary steps are taken to build a good relationship between both parties. It is worth emphasizing that any government with a poor education system is heading towards a black future. At the same time, the various union in our institutions of higher learning should device other means other than strike to resolve aggrieved issues. Strike action should be the last resort. This is because of the negative effect frequent strikes have on students and the entire academic community.We may be sitting on a time bomb if we do not act now or most likely not having a qualified leaders as the case may be.
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