TheNewsGuru

Tag: Education

  • Deadly clash looms as hoodlums storm hostels, attack varsity students in Rivers

    Information reaching TheNewsGuru has it that hoodlums from Ndele community stormed and attacked students at the Rivers state-owned university, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) on Saturday night.

    Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, made the disclosure on Sunday crying out loud that the Ndele community is becoming too hostile and unsafe for students, academic and non-academic staff of the institution.

    Professor Ndimele lamented that Saturday’s incident was the third time in two months hoodlums from the community would attack the school.

    “Last night, some hoodlums from Ndele community stormed our students’ hostels on campus for the third time in two months to attack students.

    “Due to insecurity, the majority of our students left the Ndele community and entered the hostels. Let me also mention that because of the attack on students who lived outside the school, the University management throw open the hostels for free accommodation so that all students would be residential at the Ndele Campus.

    “What now is our offence that they visit the hostels at will with dangerous weapons to attack and force our students to sleep in bushes?

    “It is unbecoming of a gang of community boys from Ndele to frustrate a most civilizing facility as a university which most communities are praying to be sited at their place.

    “In addition to the University security men, we have engaged armed policemen who patrol the campus.

    “But our worry is that these hoodlums from Ndele have no regard for the presence of armed policemen around the campus.

    “They are rather tempting the armed policemen to confront them in what might result in a deadly clash,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.

    He appealed to the chiefs and elders of Ndele and the Rivers State Government for a lasting solution to the incessant attacks.

    Ndimele also appealed to staff and students to be law-abiding, while assuring that if the attacks persist, the university management might be forced to relocate the IAUE campus from Ndele community.

     

  • Buhari assures of more investment in science, technology education

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said Federal Government would invest more in education at all levels, especially in Science, Technology and Vocational Education and Training (STVET).

    Buhari, represented by Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, stated this at the 9th Combined Convocation of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa State.

    He said that his administration would continue to pursue its objectives until it laid a solid foundation for a viable nation which every Nigerian would be proud of.

    The president said that he would continue to work with honesty, integrity and dedication to change the fortunes of the country for the benefit of Nigerians, particularly the less-privileged in urban and rural areas.

    He commended the management of the polytechnic and the council headed by Prof. Godwin Sogolo for promoting peaceful atmosphere conducive for teaching and research.

    He urged the graduating students and other eminent citizens conferred with fellowship of the institution to support his administration in charting a new course for the nation.

    “Together, we can work to reinvent our country and negotiate a better tomorrow for all.

    “I urge the good people of the Nasarawa State and all other Nigerians to always support the course of peace and harmony in the country, which is the only viable path of progress and prosperity for our people,” Buhari said.

    Earlier, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, had said that government was making all necessary investments in human and material terms, to ensure that Nigeria’s tertiary institutions were ranked among the league of global institutions.

    Adamu explained that efforts were being made through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and other sources to upgrade tertiary institutions in academic and infrastructure development.

    He commended the Acting Rector of the polytechnic, Malam Abdullahi Alhassan and the Management team for restoring stability, peace and order to the institution.

    “I am aware that this polytechnic is a peaceful one. It is to the credit of the acting Rector and the entire polytechnic community that they have been able to arrest the drift and ensure stability in the institution.

    “I urge him and his team to redouble efforts at ensuring that the order prevailing on this campus is sustained,” he said.

    In his speech, the Rector, Alhassan, commended Buhari for his continued support to take the polytechnic to its present state.

    He said “we remain most appreciative and pray that we will continue to get more support through the various interventions of TETFUND.”

    Alhassan, however, decried inadequate funding which had slowed down activities in certain key areas of operations, including the procurement of equipment and provision of highly-needed classrooms, laboratories, studios, staff offices among others.

    ‘While we passionately appeal to the Federal Government to assist the polytechnic in this area, we are equally soliciting from well-meaning individuals, organisations and corporate bodies to assist us, through the Private Public Partnership Policy of the Federal Government.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four distinguished Nigerians were conferred with the Fellowship of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa (FFPN).

    The recipients were Gov. Tanko Al-Makura, Alhaji Buba Ahmed, former Minister of Sports; Chief Ikechi Emenike, a philanthropist and Sen. Abubakar Sodangi.

     

  • Education: IAUE deploys cloud-based results management system

    Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) has deployed a cloud-based platform for the management of students’ results.

    Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State-based university, Professor Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, who made this known on Tuesday, said students of the university can now receive their results on their phones.

    “Deployment of a cloud-based Results Management System for IAUE students has begun. Students can now receive and preview their computed results and transcripts from 2014 to date on their mobile phones,” he said.

    Professor Ndimele revealed that the Department of French and Home Economics have fully implemented the platform.

    “More Departments to come as their HODs cooperate to provide the relevant information for computation and uploading,” he stated.

    TheNewsGuru reports the results management system can be likened to a banking system but for students’ academic results only.

    All students have real time access to their results online and can at a glance know their academic performance.

    In addition, SMS alerts on new results released, efficient, accurate and speedy computation of degree results upon graduation are some of the benefits of the results management system, according to the VC.

    “Record keeping in Nigeria after even 2 years of graduation can be a huge problem. But for present students I met and while I remain as VC, their records will be preserved in the cloud for ages. They can preview their results from anywhere in the globe in PDF,” Ndimele added.

     

  • Education, key to unlocking Nigeria’s potentials – Atiku

    Former Vice President and founder of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Atiku Abubakar, says education is the master key that will unlock the huge potentials in Nigeria and set her on the path to full socio-economic development.

    Atiku Abubakar Abubakar made the observation while speaking at the end of events marking the 10th Commencement and Presidential Inauguration of the American University of Nigeria, Yola.

    The former Vice President said in order to achieve this, there must be the right mix of adequate funding of the education sector and a curriculum that promotes entrepreneurship among undergraduates, as is the practice at AUN.

    Abubakar noted that with the diminishing role of crude oil as the mainstay of the national economy, it has become expedient for Nigeria to focus on the development of her most important resources, human capital, which he said was far much more sustainable than oil or any other resource.

    “It is becoming evident by the day that the future of Nigeria lies not in the bowels of the earth, but in what is in the head of our people, that is, the human capital,” Atiku said.

    He noted that there is a nexus between education, development, and security, as an enlightened, multi-ethnic society would be more tolerant leading to social cohesion and harmony.

    “An educated citizenry will be less prone to being willing tools in the hands of divisive elements who exploit existing fault lines. Consequently, we will have fewer crises that are inimical to national unity and stability.”

    The PDP presidential hopeful who is also the Waziri of Adamawa Emirate Council said that he is made more by the education he received than anything else.

    According to him, his investment in AUN has generated dividends in terms of raising men and women who are problem solvers.

    “This (AUN) is my most fulfilling investment, not just because it provides jobs like my other endeavours, but more importantly because its graduates are change agents needed for transforming our great country to the benefit of all,” Abubakar said.

  • Malala Fund, 30 CSOs urge reps to make senior secondary school education compulsory

    Malala Fund, 30 CSOs urge reps to make senior secondary school education compulsory

    More than 30 Civil Society Organisations across the country — including Malala Fund and ONE Campaign — call on the House of Representatives to extend the right to free education to senior secondary school.

    This was revealed in a letter written and signed by Malala Fund and other concerned CSOs.

    The letter was sent to TheNewsGuru.com on Friday.

    Read letter below:

    Malala Fund and 30 CSOs urge Dogara-led House of Representatives to join the 8th Senate in extending free, compulsory education to senior secondary school

    May 4, 2018

    The Speaker

    House of Representatives

    National Assembly

    Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Abuja.

    Dear RT. Hon. Yakubu Dogara,

    The evidence is clear: girls’ education grows economies, improves public health, reduces conflict and mitigates climate change.

    Educated girls are more likely to have healthy, educated children. Educating girls to the same level as boys could decrease the likelihood of conflict by over a third, and could benefit developing countries to the tune of at least $112 billion a year.

    Yet Nigeria only provides its children the right to nine years of free education. This is not enough. It is not enough for the future prosperity of our country — and it not enough for the millions of girls fighting for their futures.

    In July 2017, the National Assembly Senate passed an amendment to the Universal Basic Education Act, which would extend the right to free education from nine years to 12 years for all children in Nigeria. It would also ease financial pressure and resource constraints on the states, and help them access federal funds allocated through the Universal Basic Education Commission.

    Before this amendment can become law, it must also pass through the House of Representatives and receive presidential assent. However, the passed Senate bill (SB 324 & 307) has neither been presented on the House of Representatives (HoR) floor nor scheduled for any further action by the Honourable Representatives.

    Today we call on you, Most Revered Honourable Speaker, to throw your full weight behind the amendment to the Universal Basic Education Act to improve domestic investment in education and expand the federal mandate to 12 years of free, compulsory education. Your support is essential in ensuring an accelerated hearing and speedy passage.

    Given your leadership in championing education, we trust that you will once again advance the future peace and prosperity of Nigeria by investing in the education of its girls and boys.

    Yours sincerely,

    Access to Development Initiative (ADI)

    ACE Charity

    Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation (AAAF)

    AONN LAGOS

    AYECI Africa

    Center for Girls’ Education

    Centre for 21st century Issues

    Civic Media Lab

    Cleannation Foundation

    Connected Development (CODE)

    CrEEED Initiative (Crested Edge Educational and Entrepreneurial Development Initiative)

    CSNews Network

    Development Research and Project Centre

    Dolly Children Foundation

    Endonamoo Transformation Global Initiative (ETGIN)

    Girl Child Africa

    Hallmark Leadership Initiative

    Health Education and Empowerment Initiative (HEDEN)

    Hope for communities and children initiative (H4CC)

    InnovationMatters

    Kimpact Youth Development Initiative

    Liberi Health Foundation

    Malala Fund

    Noble Missions for Change Initiative

    ONE Campaign

    Progressive Education and Development Initiative

    Purple Admiral Foundation for Community Development

    Society for Empowerment and Self Reliance (SESER)

    TalentPlus Resources International (TRI)

    YouthHubAfrica

  • Recent promotion excites public primary school teachers

    In the wake of the promotion of public primary school teachers in Edo State by Governor Godwin Obaseki, the teachers have thrown their weight behind the governor, stressing that the directive has brought them joy.

    They said that the development would boost the morale of teachers and lead to better teaching and learning outcomes in public schools.

    Governor Obaseki reiterated his commitment to teachers’ welfare when he announced the promotion directive, noting “The release of outstanding promotion of teachers in public primary schools in the state further demonstrate the commitment to the welfare of teachers in the state.”

    He said, “As part of the reforms to improve the quality of basic education in the state, it is important to motivate teachers, especially as we roll out the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (BEST) programme.”

    In reaction to the development, some teachers have commended the governor for the directive, noting that it was long overdue.

    A teacher in Estako West Local Government, who doesn’t want her name in print, said, “the news of the promotion is highly commendable. The promotion is long overdue. I am happy as the promotion will motivate us to do more.”

    She said while the affected teachers await the release of the promotion letters, it is necessary that the authorities monitor the conduct of some officials who might want to exploit the opportunity to fleece teachers.

    According to her, “Much as we applaud the initiative, we want to ask that the Education Secretaries should not use the avenue to demand for money from teachers before the letters get to those of us expecting promotion. We do not want anyone to cut short our joy, as the governor is committed to improved welfare of teachers.”

    According to another teacher in Obi Primary School, Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area, Mr. Okun Dada Gabriel, “The approval of the governor for the release of promotion letters for teachers in primary school, covering three years is a step forward for the better.”

    He said that teachers in the state expect more of such move from the governor, who has shown interest in improving primary education, which is the bedrock of education in Nigeria.

    “We also use the opportunity to appeal to the governor to consider the promotion of other teachers, so that the joy will be spread evenly. With this move, teachers will be motivated to support the vision of the governor for primary education in the state.”

     

  • Microsoft, NDDC, others take e-learning to primary, secondary schools in Niger Delta

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Microsoft and other Silicon Valley companies in U.S. have begun an e-learning project to revolutionize education in the Niger Delta.

    The Managing Director of NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, said this on Monday while speaking with State House Correspondents after the organization presented the model to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to Ekere, the project is aimed at bringing the Niger Delta youth up to date with the rapid technological changes taking place in other parts of the world.

    “We had a meeting with the Vice President and we made a presentation to him on a project which in our estimation will revolutionize education and learning in the entire Niger Delta region and in the country.

    “In these days where the world is changing very rapidly, e-learning, e-trading and e-solution is the way to go.

    “And so we come with a project to replace the hard copy textbooks that we have for learning in primary and secondary schools, convert them into digital format.

    “And each of the students in the primary and secondary school will be given tablets and laptops that will contain all the textbooks, all the learning instructions and learning manuals that they need and then prepare them to face the new world and be competitive with graduates from any part of the world.

    “That is exactly what we are proposing for the Niger Delta.’’

    According to Ekere, the Vice President is supportive of the programme.

    He said it was a vendor-funded project and none of the Niger Delta State governments or the NDDC would spend its money on it.

    “We are working with a company called Digital Learning Networks, part of the Silicon Valley in the U.S., and they have come with partners like Microsoft and the Black Centre.

    “And so it is a vendor-funded project; they are funding it 100 per cent.

    “So this project is going to be delivered to the entire Niger Delta region at zero cost to NDDC or to any of the state governments,’’ the NDDC CEO emphasised.

    Pressed further to give the cost of the gigantic project Ekere stated that the organizations involved would have a better idea of how much it would cost “but for us it is not going to cost any of the state governments anything.

    “It is totally vendor-funded and they have already worked out the financial model.

    “Deloite is the financial partners on this and they have actually worked out the financial model in that this is a project that can be delivered without cost to the Nigerian government.’’

    On the New vision for Niger Delta and how NDDC was keying into it he said the e-learning project was in line with the new vision for the Niger Delta that President Muhammadu Buhari had.

    “This is part of the new vision; it is a new way of doing things; it is a new love for the Niger Delta people as shown by the president,’’ he stated.

    He said the Commission was doing a lot of things in the President’s vision.

    “We are part of the inter-ministerial committee that is being chaired by the Vice President on the Niger Delta and I am sure you have seen our work plan and the other things that we are doing in that project.

    “Yes, this is part of it,’’ he added.

     

  • Justice Nyesom-Wike makes case for girl-child education

    Wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike has stated that girl-child education will lead to gender equality in the future.

    Speaking after the Thanksgiving Service to mark this year’s international women day at the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church in Rumuepirikom on Sunday, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike urged families to prioritise girl-child education.

    She said that the level of women education determines the level of their contribution to the development of the society.

    The Rivers Governor’s Wife noted that her programme Rivethics which runs on five radio stations weekly, educates and informs women on key areas for social cohesion and development.

    She emphasised that for the attainment of gender equality, necessary steps must be taken to empower women with the right education and information.

    She said: “If we give every girl the opportunity to access education, it would form the needed foundation for them to contribute meaningfully to societal growth”.

    Also speaking, Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo said the Wike administration is committed to promoting women participation in government.

    She noted that Rivers women have been projected positively under the leadership of Governor Wike, with several of them occupying positions of authority where they serve as role models for the girl-child.

    Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry Banigo noted that the administration is also reaching out to martket women and rural women through skills acquisition programmes to empower them.

    The event witnessed a special thanksgiving procession by Rivers women led by the Wife of the Rivers State Governor and the Deputy Governor.

    A Special 2018 International Women’s Day Anniversary Cake was cut at the Thanksgiving Service.

    Archbishop of Niger Delta Province, Rt Rev Ignatius Kattey prayed God to continue to empower women to contribute to rapid development of the state.

     

  • 2019: Education As A Tool For Development In Nigeria, By Temisan Amoye

    By Temisan Amoye

     

    The season is upon us again. A while ago, while watching Channels TV news, I saw the timetable for 2019 election campaign that; Presidential campaign starts November 18, 2018 to February 14, 2019. Lol brethren, do not be fooled, campaign mode is in full swing. From the leaked El Rufai memo to decamping of the Waziri Adamawa to the PDP. Potential candidates have begun consultations in regards to the 2019 elections. I’m of the opinion that the 2019 elections will be a battle for the soul and future of Nigeria. While the rest of Nigeria sleeps at night, Mansions in Asokoro and Maitama are awake with late night meetings and political consultations. What should have been an uneventful and “boring” campaign and election has now been turned on its head, thanks to the ineptitude of the Buhari-led administration. You can bet this campaign season will be full of heated rhetoric and intrigues. For the neutrals and outsiders, it will be a very fascinating event, but for Nigerians it’s a battle and struggle to finally get it right in 2019, although I’m not holding my breath.

    As these politicians have begun the necessary work to seek political Office, I believe Nigerians should also begin the necessary work to evaluate such candidates, so we can successfully separate the plants from the weed (nope, not that one, Nigerian politicians haven’t showed themselves to be as useful yet). It’s very easy to get distracted when following politics in Nigeria; from high profile decamping to discovery of stolen funds or release of Chibok girls – especially when the Government has been caught with its pants down. This is the season of demagogues disguised as politicians who make statements that heat up the polity, scream slogans while waving ridiculous objects – I’ve seen brooms, umbrellas, pineapples, you wonder what’s next? – swearing about how their only mission is to serve the people, with one christening himself as “Chief Servant”. This season, you will hear statements like “16 years of PDP misrule can’t be corrected in less than 4 years”, “APC has failed, it’s time to give power back to the people, vote PDP”. As much as I like to believe Nigerians have learnt the hard way, I still know a lot of us are gullible and will fall for those lies and antics. Nigerians are known to vote based on tribe and religion, and we wonder why “big baby with the bigger button that works” think us as a Shithole country.

    You are going to hear firebrand speeches about fighting corruption and insecurity; we know the drill too well. Any idiot running for office in Nigeria knows corruption and insecurity are major issues in Nigeria, which directly affect the masses, so they keep banging on those issues, and ignorantly ignore other core areas of the nation, that are just as sensitive as corruption and insecurity. A lot of these ailing sectors directly affect the common man more than insecurity and corruption. That’s not to say I’m insensitive to victims of insecurity and corruption. I just say these factors are constantly and ignorantly ignored for other more attractive areas for publicity, when they are fundamental for the success of any modern society.

    These sectors, if properly funded and overseen, will contribute massively to the economic growth of the nation, and help build the already battered and ruined image of the country. I’m going to identify and examine those sectors, that we as Nigerians need to pay more attention to, when deciding on who to vote for. I hope this write up will help make the decision of choosing the right candidate easier. First and most important is:

    Education

    Education is a process of knowledge sharing and more importantly, a process that refines people for civilization and mentally ingrains tenets of competition and gratuity as tools that guarantee success. I’m struggling to imagine a bright future for a developing nation, which has an estimated 10.5 million children out of school (world’s highest) and a staggering illiteracy rate of between 47-50%. The United Nations recommends that developing nations should commit 26% of its budget for education. Despite a steady increase in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 budgets, the percentage allocated to the Ministry of Education has been on a steady decline – going from 8% in 2016 to 7.04% in 2018. This falls well below the global average of education budgets of 14.13%. The figure allocated to the Ministry of Education for the 2018 fiscal year N605.8bn. Recurrent expenditure will amount to N435.1bn, capital expenditure will amount to N61.73bn and the Universal Basic Education Commission will get N109.06bn.

    That breakdown shows you one of the major crippling problems facing the education system in Nigeria – funding. When you also consider that full budget implementation in Nigeria is an unattainable quest with 2017 budget implementation as at November 2017 is a catastrophic 10%, you realize there are far bigger issues with Nigeria. Without adequate funding, no system or sector can grow or improve. A lot of Government run schools in Nigeria are nothing to write home about. From dilapidated classrooms and hostels, to non-payment of salaries, which have resulted in incessant strikes by ASUU and other bodies representing different types of Education institutions – from primary to tertiary.

    A quick search on Twitter will show you how students struggle to get bed spaces in UNILAG, a supposed top Nigerian university. A combination of some of these factors, is the reason why Nigeria is experiencing an upsurge in the number of private owned schools. Private individuals have tried to close the vacuum left in the education system by establishing more schools, from Primary to tertiary institutions. But in truth, a good number of private owned schools are just out to make profit alone, while only a few are out to genuinely change the face of education in Nigeria, Covenant University is one of such. In the relative short time it’s been around, the school has caused a positive disruption in the education system, leading to the school and its graduates being revered and sought after; a result of vision and a well laid out and feasible plan thoroughly lacking in our governmental system.

    Shamefully, Nigeria has about 75,000 of its people studying in Benin Republic, Ghana and Egypt. I can understand going to Europe or America to study, but going to Ghana and Benin just paints the picture that Nigerians have lost almost all hope in the education system. Prof. C.K. Ayo a past Vice- Chancellor of Covenant University in a speech, stated that Nigeria loses about #1tn every year to educational tourism. To put that figure into perspective, our 2018 budget is #8.6tn and it’s really disheartening because schools like University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, University of Benin which have produced so many prominent Nigerians should be attractive destinations for students from all over Africa, but reverse is the case. Stagnation crept into promise and development has turned to a continued slide in educational system. Just imagine if half of the money lost to Education tourism remained in the Nigerian economy. The future of the Nigerian child and youth has been toyed with for far too long. Without a proper and sound education system, there will be no growth.

    In my opinion, a state of emergency should have been declared in our education system. There is the need of a total overhaul or our education system, the standard of education in our country has continued to decline. The state governors must also take responsibility for the decline. Sometime ago, a Governor abandoned students sent on scholarship by his state because of scarce funds, but not long after, that same Governor presented brand new Jeeps to his state legislators. When you consider that the cost of a new Jeep will pay for the school fees of about 5 students on scholarship, you will then realize how much the governor regards the youth and education in his state. Remember how long the Lautech saga took to resolve? “Two heads are better than one” is a saying we all know, but the Lautech saga is an exception to that saying, where two Governors couldn’t reason together to find a timely solution to the funding problem. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the kids of those Governors either travelled abroad to school or attended private schools. Why we keep electing people clueless people to office, I will never understand. Despite the inexistent support from Government, students and scholars always go the extra mile to distinguish themselves in their studies, that’s why when they go to societies that work, they excel beyond expectations, and distinguish themselves with awards and achievements. Imagine the huge difference support from Government can make. I remember ALL of my friends who travelled out for their Masters Degree, came back with complaints about how our education system is shit – the exact words they used – compared to the outside world.

    The problem is also one of bad representation and corruption at all levels of fund disbursement and spending. The meagre funds being released are never utilized for purposes earmarked for. Custodians are more fixated on embezzling the funds than spending right, damn the continuing debilitating effects. The quality of education is also another issue with unsuited and uninterested teachers being employed and amazingly, this is caused by the bad education they also received, continuing a cycle of rotten culture that needs to be abridged. These problems make the learning process more tedious and students uninterested especially after we factor in the part of wicked and sadistic humans disguised as teachers. Education is being wrongly conducted in Nigeria holistically.

     

    For the standard of education in the country to improve, there must be wholesale reforms, from top to bottom;

    1. A ministry as sensitive and important as Education, must not be handed over to individuals without relevant experience and qualifications. A newspaper Editor has no business being Minister of Education.
    2. The educational system should have a bigger vote in the yearly budget. Asides this, the Ministry of Education must spend with greater prudence and purpose. To ensure this, the central government should ensure a system of seasoned disbursements for monies asides payment of salaries, and ensure the monies released are spent on due purposes. An office within the Ministry should be created for this check and balance purpose.
    3. Welfare package of teachers and administrators must be improved upon. Growing up, I was made to understand that Teaching is a noble profession, but going by the way they treat teachers, I believe Government doesn’t share that belief.
    4. There must be standardized testing methods to ensure only duly qualified individuals are appointed as Teachers.
    5. More capital investments should be made to ensure that facilities are improved on and made conducive for both teachers and students, the gap between Recurrent and capital expenditure is too wide to make any significant change(s).
    6. Educational styles and modes of knowledge impartation should be improved upon to improve quality of learning, suiting international standards.
    7. Institutional and trade union body heads should take greater responsibilities in execution of their duties with greater vision and tact employed.
    8. The lect of our educational system should also change while students should also be granted better involvement in their welfare; governments being less and threatened stoic to their demands.

    According to the Misk Foundation and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, in 50 years time, half of the jobs that would be on offer, have not even been offered as courses to be taught in schools now. They have come together with other World stakeholders to set a working plan to counter that potential issue. If a nation like Saudi Arabia which is not known for its unprogressive policies, has already identified Education as a bedrock for future development, what then are we doing in Nigeria?

    It’s not all doom and gloom as long as we get in right, by electing the right candidate in 2019. We must not allow any candidate who has no clear and workable plan for our educational system anywhere near power. Any candidate you are considering must have a clearly defined and feasible plan. Do not be deceived by any over the top promises like in 2015. Knowledge is Power.

    Next, I will be shining the spotlight on Healthcare in Nigeria. Thank you for reading.

     

  • 11m Nigerian children enrolled for early child education in two years – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says no fewer than 11.06 million kids enrolled for early childcare development education in the country from 2014 to 2016.

    The NBS disclosed this figures in its “Education Statistics (2014 – 2016)’’ report posted on its website.

    The data realized on Monday in Abuja, indicated that the figures were for kids enrolled for public and private early child care development education.

    The data showed that 7. 36 million kids enrolled for public early child development education, while 3.53 million kids enrolled for private early child development education.

    The breakdown showed that 2.69 million kids enrolled for public early child care development education in 2016 against 4.67 million in 2015 of which 1.36 million were male, while I.33 million were female.

    Similarly, the report said that 1.45 million kids enrolled for private early child care development education in 2016 against 2. 07 million in 2015 of which 734,726 were male, while 722,735 were female.

    The report indicated that 22.35 million pupils enrolled in public primary schools in 2016 against 20.78 in 2015.

    It said that 11.80 million of these pupils were male, while 10.54 were female.

    Similarly, the report stated that 3.23 million pupils enrolled in private primary schools in 2016 against 4.65 million in 2015, whereas 1.63 million of these pupils were male, while 1.60 million were female.

    It said that a total of 542,533 primary school teachers were in employment in 2016 against 567,380 in 2015.

    The report stated that 283,051 of such teachers were male, while 259,482 were female.

    Also, it stated that 5.83 million students enrolled in Junior Secondary Schools in 2016 against 6.18 million in 2015.

    It indicated that 4.78 million of such students enrolled in Public Junior Secondary Schools, while the remaining 1.05 million enrolled in Private Junior Secondary Schools.

    The report further stated that 4.47 million students enrolled in Senior Secondary Schools in 2016 against 4.14 million in 2015.

    It said that 3.56 million of the students enrolled in Public Senior Secondary Schools, while the remaining 911,561 enrolled in Private Senior Secondary Schools. (