By Uji Abdullahi Iliyasu
Abuja
Professor Chinwe Obaji, who was the minister
of education between 2015 and 2016 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo
said the standard of education in the country, contrary to many views, is
rising.
of education between 2015 and 2016 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo
said the standard of education in the country, contrary to many views, is
rising.
The former education minister and
Professor of international education stated this in an interview with Blueprint
when she visited its corporate headquarters Tuesday.
Professor of international education stated this in an interview with Blueprint
when she visited its corporate headquarters Tuesday.
She said that people should not confuse standard
and quality of education, therefore, she said it is the quality of education
that is falling, not standard.
and quality of education, therefore, she said it is the quality of education
that is falling, not standard.
She said her concern for the poor
quality made her to institute the post-UTME screening in 2005 in which
examiners found out those candidates who scored lower in UTME performed higher
in the post-UTME screening.
quality made her to institute the post-UTME screening in 2005 in which
examiners found out those candidates who scored lower in UTME performed higher
in the post-UTME screening.
She advised the federal government to
make it a policy that the idea of awaiting result by UTME candidates is shelved
aside as it is resource and time wasting. “Students can write UTME in August or
September long after the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE)
results had been released.
make it a policy that the idea of awaiting result by UTME candidates is shelved
aside as it is resource and time wasting. “Students can write UTME in August or
September long after the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE)
results had been released.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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, faith-based ones. What if the owner dies and his children
are not interested in the school? Each time we open near university, we are
removing at least three teachers from the pool which cannot be replaced
overnight.”
private universities, faith-based ones. What if the owner dies and his children
are not interested in the school? Each time we open near university, we are
removing at least three teachers from the pool which cannot be replaced
overnight.”
Going down memory lane, Obaji said
she is a ‘miracle child’ because under the Marine Commando which Obasanjo was
the commander, she was shot at severally by the federal troops when they
attacked their school, but survived with bullet wounds unlike her school mates
who were killed in the attack. She also said under the same Obasanjo in 2005, she
got appointed as the first female minister of education.
she is a ‘miracle child’ because under the Marine Commando which Obasanjo was
the commander, she was shot at severally by the federal troops when they
attacked their school, but survived with bullet wounds unlike her school mates
who were killed in the attack. She also said under the same Obasanjo in 2005, she
got appointed as the first female minister of education.
“Under Obasanjo as commander of
Marine Commando, I nearly lost my life, but 35 years after under his government,
I became the first female minister of education.”
Marine Commando, I nearly lost my life, but 35 years after under his government,
I became the first female minister of education.”
“We were writing the Biafran School Certificate
Examination when the federal troops came. Some of the girls (school mates) were
killed instantly. I was asked to say my last prayer by a federal soldier and I
said, ‘Oh Lord, let thy will be done’, and whole magazine was emptied on me,
but fortunately, only seven bullets got me.”
Examination when the federal troops came. Some of the girls (school mates) were
killed instantly. I was asked to say my last prayer by a federal soldier and I
said, ‘Oh Lord, let thy will be done’, and whole magazine was emptied on me,
but fortunately, only seven bullets got me.”
The former education minister said thereafter,
she completed her secondary education in an all-boys school.
she completed her secondary education in an all-boys school.
Professor Obaji is
remembered for starting the
one-meal-a-day project in some pilot primary schools across the country, and
also directed that universities should administer the post university
matriculation examination to candidates in an effort by bypass the inefficiency
of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
remembered for starting the
one-meal-a-day project in some pilot primary schools across the country, and
also directed that universities should administer the post university
matriculation examination to candidates in an effort by bypass the inefficiency
of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
In April 2006,
Obaji detailed reforms to the design of the basic education system to ensure
that every Nigerian child at least has access to basic education. Most of the
education policies practised today are the brainchild of the astute former
education minister.
Obaji detailed reforms to the design of the basic education system to ensure
that every Nigerian child at least has access to basic education. Most of the
education policies practised today are the brainchild of the astute former
education minister.