Glorious Days Of Sustainable Education In Nigeria, By Elkabeer Mafara

This discourse can better be appreciated with recourse to history, a part not too far from the present. Time was when we had primary schools, modern schools, Teachers Training Colleges, few Colleges of Education or what some called Advanced Teachers' Colleges and a handful of Universities. The schools were properly equipped with learning materials. Government made provisions for chalk, desk, standard libraries and laboratories. Teachers were properly remunerated, salaries paid as at when due, promotion released on time. The Inspectorate Department under the supervision of the ministry of education was on its toes visiting schools to ensure that Teachers were doing what fetched them their salaries and promotions.
     
Education had a place in the hearts of the governments (Federal or States), for example feeding on campus /University was 25 kobo,a bed space was about 45 naira, students studying in the Faculty of Education were on bursaries. States equally paid bursaries to their students both for those within Nigeria and outside Nigeria. Following the Ali Must Go protest, the Federal government raised the feeding to 50 kobo and bed space to 90 naira. At this point in time, Nigerian students and graduates became hotcakes sought for all the world with high premium placed on our educational system for example, in the days of President Shehu Shagari, a PH.D certificate holder from many Universities in India would be given an equivalent of a Master's Degree. The Federal Ministry of Education recognized only four Universities in India at that time. Unfortunately, we lost track of the successes recorded with time.

The narrative of how we get here is a sad here, at the moment, everyone has a phobia for a word, It's called RECESSION. The Health sector hates it, same with Education among others. Taking us back to the good old days would have been easier under a viable economy.

However, a sustainable education is still feasible in a recessed economy through any of the following: (1)Governments ie Federal and States should review their priorities right, block wastages and increase the budget for Education (2)Government should bring back development plan period and pursue it all vigour (3)Teachers should be paid their salaries promptly and promotions not denied (4)Learning environment should be stimulating: good classrooms, chairs etc (5)The Federal government should hasten up the introduction of the feeding program in Nigerian Primary schools (6)Parents should cut down on their social excesses and support the education of their wards.

Nigeria at this time, is in desire need of professionals (educated farmers, Doctors, Accountants, Lawyers, Engineers, Teachers etc)to reposition this country. This explains why Education has to be and can be sustained in a recession.

Elkabeer Mafara
02/11/2017