Nigeria’s Education system is at a crossroads, with challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to quality education in rural areas, and inconsistent policies hindering the country’s progress. Renowned educationist Mrs. Yetunde Kamson has called for an urgent transformative overhaul of the system, drawing inspiration from successful reforms in Finland and South Korea. Nigeria’s education sector is marked by a growing emphasis on its importance, various educational opportunities, and a vibrant community of educators and learners.
However, challenges persist, including inadequate funding, overcrowded classrooms, insufficient resources, and a stark disparity in educational quality between urban and rural areas. The country also grapples with a high number of out-of-school children, Teacher recruitment and retention difficulties, and limited access to quality education in rural areas. To address these challenges, Kamson emphasized the need for better Technology integration, robust initiatives to address disparities in educational access, improved rural educational infrastructure, enhanced teacher training programmes, increased investment, equitable resource distribution, and inclusive policies. She also stressed the importance of promoting Gender Equality and inclusivity in vocational and technical education.
Education system in Nigeria still lags behind global standards.
Structured into primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, Nigeria’s education system has a focus on core subjects like mathematics, English language, science, and social studies. The primary level lasts for six years, followed by three years of junior Secondary School and three years of senior secondary school. However, the system faces numerous challenges, including a lack of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient resources. Many schools lack basic facilities like classrooms, libraries, and laboratories, making it difficult for students to learn effectively. The country has made efforts to address these challenges, including the introduction of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme, which aims to increase access to education, and the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), which regulates teacher training and certification.
Despite these efforts, Nigeria’s education system still lags behind global standards. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world, with over 10 million children aged 5-14 not in school. Additionally, the country’s Literacy rate is approximately 60%, with significant disparities between urban and rural areas. Kamson’s call to action resonates with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030.
Issues that the govt must address in the sector.
The educationist’s emphasis on community engagement, gender equality, and vocational and technical education aligns with the SDGs’ focus on inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. To achieve these goals, Nigeria must prioritize education and invest in its future. This requires a multifaceted approach that involves the government, private sector, and civil society. The government must provide adequate funding, develop and implement effective policies, and ensure equitable resource distribution. The Private Sector can contribute through partnerships, investments in educational technology, and support for skills development initiatives. Civil Society organizations can advocate for reforms, provide community-based solutions, and promote transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, Nigeria must address the gender disparity in education, which is a significant challenge in the country. According to UNESCO, Nigeria has one of the highest gender disparities in education in the world, with girls more likely to be out of school than boys. To address this, Kamson called for practical strategies, including implementing gender-sensitive policies, increasing access for girls, supporting female educators, addressing cultural barriers, raising gender issue awareness, and fostering a safe learning environment for all students. Also, vocational and technical education must be integrated into the mainstream curriculum, with training opportunities expanded, industry partnerships strengthened, and its value widely recognised. This will provide students with practical skills, prepare them for the workforce, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
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In all, Nigeria’s education system requires a transformative overhaul to address its numerous challenges and ensure inclusive, quality education for all. Some of the challenges include a lack of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient resources. The government, private sector, and civil society must collaborate to address these challenges and create a brighter future for Nigeria’s learners. By prioritizing education, investing in its future, and addressing the gender disparity and vocational education, Nigeria can achieve the SDGs and become a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable society.