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| Young Abubakar between Daddy and Mom on his way to school |
el-Rufai: Activating the glorious past of public education
UJI ABDULLAHI ILIYASU compares
education sector at independence and the present and reports that political will
on the part of public officeholders can bring back the glorious days of public
schools by returning their quality and confidence.
education sector at independence and the present and reports that political will
on the part of public officeholders can bring back the glorious days of public
schools by returning their quality and confidence.
Background
As Nigeria moves away from the day
she earned her independence from Great Britain in October 1, 1960, a lot of
water has passed under the bridge in the education sector with a variety of
fishes caught and lost.
she earned her independence from Great Britain in October 1, 1960, a lot of
water has passed under the bridge in the education sector with a variety of
fishes caught and lost.
The education sector in the country
is gradually moving away from the public social interest to a private
commercial venture with profit-making as its cardinal principle.
is gradually moving away from the public social interest to a private
commercial venture with profit-making as its cardinal principle.
Unlike in the 1960’s and 1970’s when
the educational landscape in the country was dotted by government-owned
institutions of learning from primary to tertiary levels and quality education
was provided to citizens at virtually no cost, today, with private schools
becoming the preserve of the rich, public schools have been reduced to a mere
playing ground for the school-going children of the poor. Although there is no law
preventing the poor masses from sending their children and wards to school, the
prohibitive fees charged by these institutions places a bar naturally against poor
parents and their children.
the educational landscape in the country was dotted by government-owned
institutions of learning from primary to tertiary levels and quality education
was provided to citizens at virtually no cost, today, with private schools
becoming the preserve of the rich, public schools have been reduced to a mere
playing ground for the school-going children of the poor. Although there is no law
preventing the poor masses from sending their children and wards to school, the
prohibitive fees charged by these institutions places a bar naturally against poor
parents and their children.
One thing worthy of note is that
those who had benefitted from government sponsorship in public schools and
their overseas trained offspring are the ones deliberately impoverishing them. They are the ones who want their children and
wards to go to private schools or go outside the border of Nigeria to Europe
and Americas and Asia in search of better equipped schools with higher scholarly
quality and standards. Even sometimes they go to schools in the neigbouring West
African countries who are no match to Nigeria in terms of human and material
resources.
those who had benefitted from government sponsorship in public schools and
their overseas trained offspring are the ones deliberately impoverishing them. They are the ones who want their children and
wards to go to private schools or go outside the border of Nigeria to Europe
and Americas and Asia in search of better equipped schools with higher scholarly
quality and standards. Even sometimes they go to schools in the neigbouring West
African countries who are no match to Nigeria in terms of human and material
resources.
With the penchant for private
schools, Nigeria embarrassingly lags behind other African countries in the
ranking of world universities. What are the problems? Most stakeholders say
Nigeria is now practising dual system in the education sector.
schools, Nigeria embarrassingly lags behind other African countries in the
ranking of world universities. What are the problems? Most stakeholders say
Nigeria is now practising dual system in the education sector.
Universities at independence
The University of Ibadan (UI) is the oldest university in Nigeria. It has its
origin in Yaba Higher College, Lagos, which was founded in 1932 and transferred
to Ibadan in 1948 to start officially as the University of Ibadan.
origin in Yaba Higher College, Lagos, which was founded in 1932 and transferred
to Ibadan in 1948 to start officially as the University of Ibadan.
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) was established in the year of independence; it
became the first university in the
eastern part of Nigeria and is Nigeria’s first autonomous and full-fledged
indigenous university.
became the first university in the
eastern part of Nigeria and is Nigeria’s first autonomous and full-fledged
indigenous university.
Exactly
seven days after Nigeria’s independence, the university was officially opened
by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent who represented Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II at the independence celebrations.
seven days after Nigeria’s independence, the university was officially opened
by Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra of Kent who represented Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II at the independence celebrations.
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife (OAU) was formerly known as the University of Ife,
this university was founded in 1962. It was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University
in 1987 after Chief Obafemi Awolowo, premier of the Western region.
this university was founded in 1962. It was renamed Obafemi Awolowo University
in 1987 after Chief Obafemi Awolowo, premier of the Western region.
Ahmadu
Bello University, Zaria (ABU)
was firstly known as the School of Arabic Studies that was located in Kano. It
was then upgraded to a full university and shifted to Zaria in 1962. It served
as the major higher institution for students in the northern part of Nigeria,
named after Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello who was the premier of Northern region.
Bello University, Zaria (ABU)
was firstly known as the School of Arabic Studies that was located in Kano. It
was then upgraded to a full university and shifted to Zaria in 1962. It served
as the major higher institution for students in the northern part of Nigeria,
named after Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello who was the premier of Northern region.
University of Lagos (UniLag)
was founded in 1962 and served as the third federal university in the Western
region of Nigeria. As at the time of its establishment, Lagos was still the
Federal Capital of Nigeria, so the growth and development of the university was
very fast compared its counterparts in the other regions.
was founded in 1962 and served as the third federal university in the Western
region of Nigeria. As at the time of its establishment, Lagos was still the
Federal Capital of Nigeria, so the growth and development of the university was
very fast compared its counterparts in the other regions.
Where are
Nigerian universities?
Nigerian universities?
After independence when the phenomenon of private schools was not known, Nigerian
universities were rated high in the global ranking. But today with the
proliferation of universities in the face of lean national budgetary
allocations to education sector, usually pegged down at seven per cent as
against the UNESCO’s 26 per cent recommendation, universities are almost
springing up every month. The result is poor intellectual competiveness and
substandard research findings that have nothing to add to the society, no wonder Nigerian universities are not found
within the first 1000 in the world.
universities were rated high in the global ranking. But today with the
proliferation of universities in the face of lean national budgetary
allocations to education sector, usually pegged down at seven per cent as
against the UNESCO’s 26 per cent recommendation, universities are almost
springing up every month. The result is poor intellectual competiveness and
substandard research findings that have nothing to add to the society, no wonder Nigerian universities are not found
within the first 1000 in the world.
Number of universities today
Today Nigeria has 43 federal
universities, 48 state-owned universities and 79 private universities, totaling
170. Out of these none is among the first one thousand in the world.
universities, 48 state-owned universities and 79 private universities, totaling
170. Out of these none is among the first one thousand in the world.
The 2019
Global Regional Rankings of the Top Five universities saw University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the Witwatersrand,
South Africa; Stellenbosch University, South Africa; University of KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa; University of
Pretoria, South Africa, all taking the first five slots in Africa.
Global Regional Rankings of the Top Five universities saw University of Cape Town, South Africa; University of the Witwatersrand,
South Africa; Stellenbosch University, South Africa; University of KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa; University of
Pretoria, South Africa, all taking the first five slots in Africa.
In global ranking, University of Cape Town places 156th gloriously with the University of Florida in the United States. While our near neighbour Tanzania takes 1001st position proudly. |
What educationists say
In an interview with Blueprint last recently,
ASUU national president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi said Nigeria was running a
dual education system, one for the rich and other for the poor.
ASUU national president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi said Nigeria was running a
dual education system, one for the rich and other for the poor.
Also ASUP chairman, the Federal
Polytechnic, Nasarawa chapter, Dr Yusuf Hussaini, also corroborated what his
university counterpart said.
Polytechnic, Nasarawa chapter, Dr Yusuf Hussaini, also corroborated what his
university counterpart said.
“We
need sincerity on the part of the government. Quality education cannot be
guaranteed in a society where the president, the minister, governor and all
others who manage the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and make
budget for education sector do not deem it fit to train their children in
them. They take their children and wards
to schools outside Nigeria in America and Europe and you expect Nigerians to
believe that they mean well for our education?
need sincerity on the part of the government. Quality education cannot be
guaranteed in a society where the president, the minister, governor and all
others who manage the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and make
budget for education sector do not deem it fit to train their children in
them. They take their children and wards
to schools outside Nigeria in America and Europe and you expect Nigerians to
believe that they mean well for our education?
“It
is the insensitiveness of the government that is responsible for the constant
industrial conflict between academic unions and it. If the unions down tools
and stay out of action for six months or even a year, it does not concern them
because the future of their children are not affected. So they don’t have that sympathy and
political will to make education sector vibrant, viable and attractive for
people to continue learning. The public education sector in Nigeria is for the
poor. How many of us can afford to send our children to Ghana not to talk of
Europe and America.
is the insensitiveness of the government that is responsible for the constant
industrial conflict between academic unions and it. If the unions down tools
and stay out of action for six months or even a year, it does not concern them
because the future of their children are not affected. So they don’t have that sympathy and
political will to make education sector vibrant, viable and attractive for
people to continue learning. The public education sector in Nigeria is for the
poor. How many of us can afford to send our children to Ghana not to talk of
Europe and America.
“So
until the government leads by example, quality education remains a mirage. Political officeholders should not be allowed
to take their children and wards or relations outside our shores to foreign
schools; let them be here. Definitely, if your children and wives and other
relations are in schools in the country you will not agree to let the sector
down.”
until the government leads by example, quality education remains a mirage. Political officeholders should not be allowed
to take their children and wards or relations outside our shores to foreign
schools; let them be here. Definitely, if your children and wives and other
relations are in schools in the country you will not agree to let the sector
down.”
More varsities reduce education quality
Former
minister of education under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Chinwe Obaji, in an interview with
Blueprint in May, however said the standard of education in the country,
contrary to many views, was rising.
minister of education under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Chinwe Obaji, in an interview with
Blueprint in May, however said the standard of education in the country,
contrary to many views, was rising.
She
said that people should not confuse standard and quality of education. Therefore, it is the quality of education that
is falling, not standard.
said that people should not confuse standard and quality of education. Therefore, it is the quality of education that
is falling, not standard.
On
the planned phase-out of Almajiri education by the federal government, she said
children learn better if they are integrated into the mainstream education
because “it is not the best to group children from similar parental social and
economic backgrounds in a school as in the case of Almajiri system. Children of
the poor, the rich and the powerful in the society should study side by side in
the same environment for better results in teaching-learning experience.”
the planned phase-out of Almajiri education by the federal government, she said
children learn better if they are integrated into the mainstream education
because “it is not the best to group children from similar parental social and
economic backgrounds in a school as in the case of Almajiri system. Children of
the poor, the rich and the powerful in the society should study side by side in
the same environment for better results in teaching-learning experience.”
On
the proliferation of universities, she said the country would fare better in
its education aspiration if the federal government, through National
Universities Commission (NUC) halt the spread of new universities, saying any
university without global outlook and recognition cannot be said to be
university.
the proliferation of universities, she said the country would fare better in
its education aspiration if the federal government, through National
Universities Commission (NUC) halt the spread of new universities, saying any
university without global outlook and recognition cannot be said to be
university.
“Nigerian
universities lack facilities and resources to attract global recognition
therefore, it is better for the government to expand the existing universities
instead of approving licenses for more.”
universities lack facilities and resources to attract global recognition
therefore, it is better for the government to expand the existing universities
instead of approving licenses for more.”
She
said many private businesses had broken down after the owner died and expressed
fear that the same fate might befall private universities in the country.
said many private businesses had broken down after the owner died and expressed
fear that the same fate might befall private universities in the country.
“How
many private businesses survived after the owners left the world stage?” So
there is the fear that some private universities in the country will die after
the owners die.”
many private businesses survived after the owners left the world stage?” So
there is the fear that some private universities in the country will die after
the owners die.”
Speaking
further, she said despite that there are not enough human resources in the
existing universities, any time another new university comes into the scene,
the old universities lose three or more experienced lecturers to the new one to
serve as vice chancellors, deputy vice chancellors and other administrators.
further, she said despite that there are not enough human resources in the
existing universities, any time another new university comes into the scene,
the old universities lose three or more experienced lecturers to the new one to
serve as vice chancellors, deputy vice chancellors and other administrators.
“I
don’t believe in the ownership of private universities, but it could be faith-based
ones. What if the owner dies and his children are not interested in the school?
Each time we open new university, we are removing at least three teachers from
the pool which cannot be replaced overnight.”
don’t believe in the ownership of private universities, but it could be faith-based
ones. What if the owner dies and his children are not interested in the school?
Each time we open new university, we are removing at least three teachers from
the pool which cannot be replaced overnight.”
el-Rufa’i blazing the trail
Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufa’i Monday
enrolled his six-year-old child, Abubakar, into primary one in Capital School
Malali, Kaduna, a public school, in fulfillment of a promise he made in 2017.
enrolled his six-year-old child, Abubakar, into primary one in Capital School
Malali, Kaduna, a public school, in fulfillment of a promise he made in 2017.
El-Rufa’i had in a state broadcast in December 2017,
promised to enroll his child in a public school when he turns six years.
promised to enroll his child in a public school when he turns six years.
“The move is part of reforms to revamp public schools
in the state to make them more competitive.
in the state to make them more competitive.
“We are determined to fix public education and raise
their standards so that private education will become only a luxury.
their standards so that private education will become only a luxury.
“As we make progress, we will require our senior
officials to enroll their children in public schools.
officials to enroll their children in public schools.
“And I will by personal example ensure that my son
that will be six years of age in 2019 will be enrolled in a public school in
Kaduna state, by God’s grace,” el-Rufa’i had said.
that will be six years of age in 2019 will be enrolled in a public school in
Kaduna state, by God’s grace,” el-Rufa’i had said.
Briefing newsmen shortly after he enrolled the child, el-Rufa’i
explained, “I made that commitment because I believe that it is only when all
political leaders have their children in public schools that we will pay due
attention to quality of public education.
explained, “I made that commitment because I believe that it is only when all
political leaders have their children in public schools that we will pay due
attention to quality of public education.
“I went to a public school like this. In fact, the
school I went to is not as good as this one, but here I am, because of the
quality teaching I got.
school I went to is not as good as this one, but here I am, because of the
quality teaching I got.
“My intention is to ensure that all our public schools
offer quality education, and so we are encouraging all our senior public
servants to send their children to public schools.
offer quality education, and so we are encouraging all our senior public
servants to send their children to public schools.
“Once the public schools are improved to a point they
are nearly as good or even better than private schools, no one will waste his
money taking his child to private school.”
are nearly as good or even better than private schools, no one will waste his
money taking his child to private school.”
Ummi el-Rufa’i, mother of Abubakar said, “l am glad
that we are able to send a strong message to our leaders and the elite, that we
need to start making things work from within our homes.
that we are able to send a strong message to our leaders and the elite, that we
need to start making things work from within our homes.
“By the time we start attending public hospitals and
send our children to public schools, the system will get better. This is a very
huge step.”
send our children to public schools, the system will get better. This is a very
huge step.”
In the sixties, the regional leaders or political leaders
had their children and wards enrolled in public schools unlike now that public
schools have become the preserve of the poor. Whatever his critics are saying,
Malam el-Rufai has thrown a challenge to our political leaders.
had their children and wards enrolled in public schools unlike now that public
schools have become the preserve of the poor. Whatever his critics are saying,
Malam el-Rufai has thrown a challenge to our political leaders.