The State of Nigeria’s Education Sector and the Role of Teacher Education
Dr. Smart Olugbeko, the outgoing National President of the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), shared his insights on the state of Nigeria’s education sector during an interview. He emphasized the critical importance of teacher education and the need for better prioritization of the sector.
Assessing Nigeria’s Education Sector
Nigeria has not made significant progress in the education sector over the past 65 years of political independence. This is largely due to the lack of attention from successive governments, especially since the mid-1980s. The current state of the Nigerian economy is a direct reflection of the level of education in the country, as education is the foundation of development. Despite this, the sector continues to receive lip service rather than genuine support.
Education is the bedrock of development, and without quality education, the country cannot move forward. However, teachers are often treated poorly, which undermines their ability to contribute effectively to national development. Teachers play a vital role in producing other professionals across various fields, including teachers themselves. Therefore, the government must prioritize the education sector to ensure sustainable growth.
Improving the Education Sector
To improve the education sector, several aspects need to be addressed. Teachers deserve good conditions of service, welfare, and salary packages, along with allowances. Public schools require infrastructure improvements, including well-equipped libraries and science laboratories. In the era of technology, schools must have access to computers and internet facilities. Additionally, students’ hostels for boarders should be in good condition. The government should also create an enabling environment for private school operators to thrive.
While the government has not done everything right, it is important to acknowledge that there are ongoing efforts to reposition the education sector. For example, the reintroduction of technical and vocational education is a positive step towards addressing the nation’s developmental challenges. The granting of the dual mandate policy to colleges of education is another commendable initiative by the current administration.
Dual Mandate Policy
The dual mandate policy allows colleges of education to award both the National Certificate in Education (NCE) and degrees concurrently. This policy has been advocated for many years by COEASU. Unlike previous administrations, President Bola Tinubu signed the bill into law shortly after taking office, marking a significant step towards enhancing teacher education.
Under the dual mandate, NCE holders can complete their degree programs in five years instead of seven. They will spend three years for the NCE and two years for the degree, making them double-qualified. This approach is similar to how medical professionals can be trained to be both nurses and midwives. The goal is to attract more brilliant minds to the teaching profession and ensure that graduates are well-prepared to teach at the secondary and basic education levels.
Challenges in Attracting Students to Teacher Education
Despite the importance of teacher education, very few students choose to pursue it. Statistics from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) show that education courses are consistently undersubscribed compared to other fields like Law, Medicine, and Engineering. This trend is concerning, as it affects the quality of education in the country.
Teachers need to be recognized and valued for their contributions. For instance, the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA) should include teachers who have distinguished themselves. With over 500,000 teachers in Nigeria, it is unreasonable to assume that none are qualified for such an honor.
Hope for the Future
Although there are challenges, Dr. Olugbeko believes there is still hope for the education sector. He compares it to a person who is ill but still has hope as long as they are breathing. There is potential for improvement if the government continues to prioritize education and invest in the sector.
Celebrating World Teachers’ Day
As part of its activities, COEASU shifted the celebration of World Teachers’ Day from October 5th to today. The event will take place in Abuja and include several activities, such as a N1 million scholarship award for the best college of education student nationwide, half a million naira for the best students in each of the six geopolitical zones, and honors for individuals who have contributed to teacher development.
Honoring Contributors to Teacher Development
The individuals being honored include Professor Kabiru Isyaku, Dr. Yusuf Sununu, Professor Jamila Shu’ara, Mr. Abdulmumin Oniyangi, and Prof. Josiah Ajiboye. These individuals have made significant contributions to the education sector and will be celebrated for their efforts.
Addressing ASUU’s Nationwide Strike
Regarding the potential nationwide strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Olugbeko acknowledges that the union may have issued an ultimatum due to unresolved discussions with the government. While he cannot speak for ASUU, he believes that giving an ultimatum is a legal function and a way to resolve differences.
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