It is no longer in doubt that the state of education in Nigeria has deteriorated over time owing to the uninspiring run of successive education administrators towards revitalizing this important sector of the nation’s socio-economic industry. Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, the current Federal Minister in charge of Education bared the obvious when he bemoaned the waning standard of education which he attributed to long years of neglect and utter mismanagement of resources that could otherwise have helped in uplifting an important sector that has potentials for exponential socio – cultural, economic and political growth.
Nigeria which is reputed as the giant of Africa in all spheres is gradually taking the back seat even in a sector that had brought her so much fame and glory in the past. Ironically, Nigerian neighbors such as Ghana, Togo, Sierra Leon to mention but these few have seen the influx of Nigerian citizens in their educational institutions simply because our government can no longer live to it’s billings to provide accessible, affordable and sustainable educational programs. It is truly heart wrenching to observe that many of our Nigerian folks could no longer enroll in any of the Nigerian public schools and finish in a record time. Their educational pursuit is often marred by strike actions by either the Academic staff or Non-academic staff unions which has had telling effects on the quality of the students being churned out from these institutions on yearly basis. At worst, these low level students have remained largely unemployable in either government or private concerns. What a shame!
Hon. Nwajiuba who noted that Nigeria had for a very lengthy years soared higher in academics than most of her African neighbors, priding herself in the high quality of students comparable to what is obtained from advanced economies had at the same time inadvertently allowed the nosedive bothering on administrative incompetencies of previous governments to boost education. Although, past governments might have done little to uplift the waning standard of education, Hon. Nwajiuba came short of bringing the larger blame for our educational woes on the competencies of government appointed education Secretaries or Supervisors who as technocrats should point the ideal torch.
Obviously not satisfied with the nation’s current narrative in educational development, the Honorable Minister while launching the federal government Better Education Delivery Service For All(BEDSA) an educational collabo with world Bank in Kastina State recently, also expressed shock over Nigeria having the highest number of out-of-school children in the Sub Saharan Africa and wants state actors to swiftly recapture and reposition the system.
The only appealing agitation so far came from the quarters of Nigeria University Commission which urged the government to expand and improve funding measures and periodic checks on extant varsities rather than dabble in political patronage of proliferating schools with no corresponding duty to leave up to expectations in addressing lingering academic quagmire amputating the system. And this can not be less situated with States of the Federation save a few, where innate corruptional pedigree of appointed administrators merged with government apathetically involvement and underfunding has grounded the religious implementation of well drafted curriculum to a halt, depriving citizens quality educational programs capable of empowering students with requisite knowledge and technological experiences.
Enugu State for good reasons has been in the frontline of restoring sanity in our primary and secondary education systems with the academic sensitive Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on the deck.
Quite a number of reforms has been carried out to the letter ensuring all round development and standardization of the system ranging from appointment of through bred administrator and technocrat, Chief Ikeji Asogwa to chair the business of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB). Ikeji who had made his marks virtually in every facets of governmental operations brought to bear his wealth of experience on board the ship of ENSUBEB justifying Governor Ugwuanyi’s confidence and nonstop economic and moral support to the education sector of the state.
Few days ago, no fewer than eighty eight (88)education Secretaries traversing the 17 local governments of the state and 51 Development Centres, who survived the rigours of both aptitude and credibility tests were inducted by the pace-setting and goal-getter governor to join the ENSUBEB chivalry in unshackling our primary and secondary education from the chokehold of maladministration and problematic phony business promoting regression.
Governor Ugwuanyi has shown much devotion to primary and secondary education and his adeptness in scouting for the best hands bearing in mind that a river get sullied from the head. There is no room for credential discomfort with the army of these Secretaries gleaned from the procedures and circumstances of their meritorious grabbing secretarial seats.
One can not but agree with the Minister’s right observation of educational importance which can never be over trumpeted as the life wire of every society that enhances national development and ensures adequate production of valuable manpower to run the country.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi seem to have the absolute understanding that for any country to develop, it must have a well equipped educational system which prepares its people with adequate knowledge to enable them take competitive advantage in the 21st century world economy. Thank you our Governor for always thinking ahead and following your head with positive actions.
Enugu state remains in the hands of God!
Written by
Hon. Mrs Bibian Anekwe
SSA to the Governor of Enugu State on Mobilization and Empowerment.
Enugu Di N’akachukwu Movement (DG)
