Many argue that the educational system in Nigeria today is largely undervalued and poorly managed. There are may reasons one could attribute this decadence to; but however, two that stands is the political instability and corruption in the ruling arm of the country.
Personally, I studied in Obafemi Awolowo university, a federal university in Ile-Ife, Osun state. Shortly after I gained my admission into the university, I immediately stayed homed for about eight months. This was due to the national strike embarked on by ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities). After which we were called to resume school.
To my amazement, after the first semester. ASUU embarked on another nationwide strike, which lasted for approximately six months.
The recent nationwide strike has just been called and students are to resume school activities immediately after this lasted for about eight to nine months.
This highlights the feeble state of our educational value system in the country. These has made most youths in the country who are bright and intellectually sound seek better education and opportunities outside the country where more value is placed on education.
The new word phrase used to describe this current mass movement is ‘JAPA’. Of course, this has various implications on the country as our local skilled labor are moved out of the system to build up foreign empires. Our countries continually reap the benefit of the vast intellectual content of Nigerian graduates.
Back to our study on the root cause:
- Political Instability: Firstly, to get a clearer picture of what this entails. Let us examine the political sphere, and make a contrast of what it should be and what it currently is.
Of course, people who rise to political power do so for various reasons. This however should basically be to provide service to the people, highlight basic and necessary needs and seek effective measures on how to tackle them.
One basic need of the society is education. This is what secures the long-term success of any nation.
However, attaining power can also be used to pursue one’s self-interest and selfish motives. This has largely affected the educational sector and will need to be sorted out quickly if the country will get to her promised land.
- Corruption: It is no news that corruption in the federal alms of affairs has become the order of the day. From unpaid university staff’s salaries to the poor infrastructure in the federal universities which are not maintained to suite the global status quo. There are generally poor maintenance cultures in the schools. This has made top universities in the country unable and unfit to compete on a global scale. This should not be the case, in an oil-rich country.
Last unpaid salary negotiations between the federal government and ASUU took almost nine months, something that would have taken a week or two at most, if all parties came together for a common goal.
In conclusion,
There is need, now more than ever to come together and work towards the betterment of the country and save it from moral and educational decadence. Of course, the change begins with you. Be that change!
PECHA KUCHA