Engr. Umar Bello Aderehi, gave a wide-ranging online presentation on Saturday night via Ebira Online-News whatsapp group which highlight the backwardness of education in Ebiraland.
Read his presentation;
My names once again are UMAR BELLO ADAREHI. _HND Metallurgical Engrg, PGD in Education, Msc(Ed)._ An educationist, A public affairs analyst, A community leader, Facilitator, National Teachers' Institute, Kaduna, AAAMCO study centre, Member/Volunteer of various NGOs,
Presently working with Kogi state min of rural development, Lokoja.
The Chief Admin and Initiator of Ebira Online News whatsapp patform, the other co admins, distinguished personalities here too numerous to mention, the intelligent moderators & the entire members of this great platform without which the group will not be. I greet you all.
The topic before me "Educational backwardness in Ebiraland", The Way forward or the Way out can best be x-rayed by first understanding what educational backwardness in our formal setting is, what are the factors or causes of educational backwardness, before we can delve into the way forward, or recommendations that can profer lasting solution to the problems that have caused us educational backwardness in Ebiraland.
The educational backwardness is the falling standard of education in Ebiraland which is the decline in the learning goals for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level of education. Or simply put, educational backwardness is the decreasing quality of education and its output.
Education in Ebiraland is fast declining that needs urgent attention of the state government, the Local Govt and all the stakeholders in the education sector.
The education sector in Ebiraland is heading towards a total collapse and we must do everything possible within our capacity to salvage the situation.
Education is said to be the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world. It is fundamental to development and growth. The negligence of the past government on the education sector in Ebira land has led to a serious problem.
Ebira land use to be one of the best areas for schooling in the good old days due to the high standard of education that has attracted so many people from various states to school in Ebira land, but today Ebira land is the worst area for schooling because of the fall in the quality of education.
Some of our schools both primary and secondary are gradually becoming extinct, some that are still existing are not even worth to call school because of its poor standard and infrastructure.
Almost all the school Lands in Ebiraland have been occupied by private individuals, its only few schools that is free from this menace. All these resulted from the negligence of the government on the education sector which has resulted into educational backwardnessin Ebiraland.
I believe at this point, we all agree that Ebiraland is so backward educationally. Let us now briefly take a look at the various factors that has caused the backwardness in Ebiraland in terms of education before looking at the way out. Anebira ka waaraye izaazuwu, duye ahono ani These are :
1. Neglect of children by parents/guardian. This make children to develop non challant attitude towards education.
2. Unstable government policies regarding education in Ebiraland which also applies to the whole of the state since Ebiraland is a microcosm of the entire state.
3. Inadequate funding has negatively impacted on our quality or standard of education.
4. Lack of modern teaching tools & classrooms or general educational infrastructure
5. Poor remuneration of teachers. Worst hit in this problem is the primary level of education which is the foundation of learning
6. Acute shortage of qualified teachers in various teaching subjects in both primary and secondary schools in Ebiraland.
7. Proliferation of private schools most of which fall Short of the standard requirements as stipulated by the National Policy on Education.
8. Poor implementation of educational policies and programmes .
9. Poor attitude to school work
10. Examination malpractice. This has become a cancer worm eating deep into the fabrics of education in Ebiraland. Its a major cause of educational backwardness.
11. Lack of accessibility to school locations.
Having critically identified the various factors that has landed us in this messy state of education unlike in the olden days, let's now discuss the main theme of this discourse,
*THE WAY FORWARD OR WAY OUT.*
Here are the recommendations which I believe if properly implemented by the Govt will go a long way in salvaging the education sector in Ebiraland from total collapse:
1. Better funding of education.
The United Nations (UN) recommended a minimum of 25% of annual budget to be channelled towards education, while UNESCO recommended 26% a min annual budget for education. I believe if Govt at all levels federal, state and Local can adopt this, it will greatly boost the funding capacity of education authorities.
UNESCO means, United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization
2. Utilization of research finding in the management of education at all levels.
Many researches have been carried out towards improving the standard of education by various individuals and institutions, the results should be looked in to
3. Inculcation of the tenets of traditional education.
The tenets of hardworking, discipline, dedication should be revived
4. Genuine and sincere regulation of the activities of all private schools in Ebiraland with a view to phasing out sub standard ones.
The rate at which private schools spring up in uncompleted buildings and tents everyday in Ebiraland is a thing of serious concern. Most of them are just making mockery of education and must be nipped in the bud if we must revive the lost glory of our education.
The education authorities should beam their searchlight towards Ebiraland to check this ugly trend
Apology to all Owners of private schools here🙏
I happen to work in private school for years and am speaking from what I have experienced
5. On a very serious note, all the primary and secondary school teachers in Ebiraland and by extension the whole Kogi state under the employ of the government must be compelled to enroll their ward in public schools.
Today, almost all the teachers send their children to private schools at costlier fees while leaving the public schools where they erk out a living empty. This should be discouraged as it will help to instil some seriousness in the teaching process in public schools.
This should even be extended to all other government employees whose wards are in Private schools
If this is not looked into, our public schools will gradually go into extinction especially primary's
And as Private schools continue to increase their fees, common man like us may not be able to send our children to school in future if we don't wake up now and revive the primary level of education in a
6. The issue of encroachment of schools land should be discouraged. And such schools whose land have been taken over by private individuals should be reclaimed by Govt as quickly as possible.
Perimeter fencing of all public schools in Ebiraland will help avert future occurrence of this problem.
7. There is no gainsaying the fact that proper remuneration is the most potent factor that can spur any employee to greater productivity.
In this regard teachers in our primary and secondary schools should be properly remunerated just like as being enjoyed by employees in the health sector. This will greatly halt the declining state of education in Ebiraland.
8. Employment of more qualified teachers. The number of qualified teachers in our schools today is grossly inadequate.
Most teachers are retiring and no replacement to make up for the shortfall. This has forced the few teachers available to bear workloads more than necessary. Employing more qualified teachers will solve this problem and help bridge the gap in the shortfall of teaching personnel which will raise the standard of education in Ebiraland
9. Government should ensure that there is proper implementation of educational policies and programmes tailored towards improving the standard of education in Ebiraland especially.
We should not just be formulating educational policies on paper without implementation
10. Handlers of education in Ebiraland should put measures in place to discourage examination malpractice. In fact, it should be criminalised. When students can't cheat in exams, they will be forced to work hard to succeed.
Parents too have roles to play here
11. Modern teaching tools and classrooms should be the priority of government in Ebiraland if we must be abreast with global tends in education.
It is appalling that was are still romancing the 20th century methodology of teaching which does not match modern standards
For the past glory of our education to be restored, government must come up with new policies and programs. These new policies must not just exist in paper. They must be implemented with all seriousness.
A better system that prevents corruption and embezzlement of funds allocated to the education sector must also be put in place.
Government must also bring in the use of technological and digitals tools into the education sector so as to drive change.
Massive training on the use of internet, technological and digital tools should be organized for teachers so as to empower them to meet up with the demands of 21st century education.
Government should look into creating employment opportunities for graduates and make available a business environment where entrepreneurship can thrive.
The fact that many graduates are roaming the streets is a discouraging factor to many who are still in school.
Our students in secondary schools don’t see reasons to take their education serious any longer when they continue to see their brothers and sisters who have graduated from the university without jobs after many year.
And in politics, the min academic qualification to contest any office should be raised above secondary school cert. This will make students to take studies seriously if they wish to contest in future.
The recent pronouncements by the FG to improve the welfare of teachers in the country is a welcome development that will greatly boost the morale of teachers to perform optimally.
I believe that with these few recommendations, our education sector will no doubt be revived and become a driving force for all development and progress once again, and the lost Glory of education in Ebiraland will be restored.
In conclusion, I want to use this medium to thank His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the executive Governor of Kogi state for the establishment of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, CUSTECH.
GYB has indeed done for us what we have been dreaming of. This will greatly raise the standard of education in Ebiraland.
God bless our Governor and may Allah stand the institution on a solid foundation for us.
On this note, I say thank you all for the wonderful opportunity to speak on education which is my passion.
God bless you all.
I remain yours in struggle
Comrade Engr UMAR BELLO ADAREHI.
Good night and do have a wonderful night rest🙏🙏🙏
Anchored by:
Ustaz Ahmed İmtiyaaz Ahmed
Adabara İshaq Abduldalitz