NIGERIA EDUCATION:  The  Task  Before  The  New  Minister  of  Education.

Ibrahim Shekarau

Education is a tool which cannot be compromised for anything, as it is fundamental to the development and growth of any nation. The Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria is saddled with the responsibilities of

1.     Formulating a national policy on education

2.     Collecting and collating data for appropriate planning and financing

3.     Maintaining uniform standards of education throughout the country

4.     Controlling the quality of education in the country through the supervisory role of the Inspectorate Services Department

5.     Developing the curricula and syllabuses at the national level, in conjunction with other stakeholders.

Since its inception, some individuals have shown their capabilities to head the affairs of the ministry, starting from Aja Nwachukwu who held the position between 1958 and 1965 to Professor Ruqayyatu Rufai, who was there between April 2010 and September 2013.

The first Nigerian to receive a doctoral degree in Education was the late Prof. Babatunde Fafunwa, who was the minister of education between 1990 and 1992. He started the first tutorial college in Nigeria, Foucos Tutorial College (formerly on Ogunlana Drive, Surulere, Lagos.) in 1982.

He brought about the emergence of the Nigerian Certificate of Education, which is the minimum entry requirement for the teaching profession. He incorporated the learning of indigenous languages in Nigerian schools with English as a second language.

He also introduced the 6-3-3-4 system of education for six years of Primary education, three years of Junior Secondary, another three years of either Technical education or three years of Senior Secondary and the last four years for Tertiary education respectively.

Dr Oby Ezekwesili, a chartered Accountant, came on board as the minister of education between June 2006 and April 2007 during Obasanjo’s second term in office. She had served as the minister of Solid Minerals.

While in office, she observed that the structure of the ministry had limitation to develop the human capital needed for the progress in the sector. These necessitated the reforms that took place in the sector.

Dr Sam Egwu was the minister of education between December 2008 and March 2010 during President Umaru Musa Yar'adua. His tenure was characterized by the strike actions embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Based on these, he was succeeded by Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai.

Prof. Ruqayyatu was in office between April 2010 and September 2013, and banned the use of mobile phones in secondary schools. The ministry under her watch was to conduct a nationwide school census. ASUU strike also lingered during her time.

After the sack of Ruqqayatu, Barrister Nyesom Wike was appointed as the supervisory minister of education on 11^th September, 2013.

On July 9, 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan announced the emergence of former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, as the minister of education. He (alongside three others) was brought in at a critical time of the nation’s development.

The task before the new minister is highly demanding as he must design a frame work alongside other stakeholders to resolving the ongoing strike in the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education. He must ensure that the disparity between holders of HND and B. Sc. is completely eradicated.

Polytechnic graduates have roles to play in the labour market just as their counterparts in the universities; hence, they should not in any way be discriminated, otherwise, all Polytechnics in the country should be scrapped off.

The technical and vocational sub sector is suffering because of low manpower needed for industrial development. Today, students from technical schools seek admission into universities, which negates the establishment of the Polytechnic education. They see Polytechnic education as a second option on failure to secure university admission.

The volume of academic space for admission into tertiary institution is low, and it behooves the new minister to do something.

Formulating policies is not the problem; rather, implementation and sustainability are key to ensuring development of the sector. Teachers’ quality and number must also be looked into in terms of their remuneration, so as to encourage people into the teaching profession.

NIGERIA EDUCATION: How Do I Become A Certified Teacher?

Teacher with students

The education sector of Nigeria has experienced a lot of ups and downs, both at the Federal and State levels, which has made it seem as though those at the helm of affairs are nonchalant towards developing the sector.

With regards to acquiring formal or Western education, Nigeria has a very high patronage, but with this high acquisition of knowledge, the sector is still being faced with a lot of challenges as though the professionals in the sector do not bring their expertise to bear.

Nigeria’s educational policies are among the best in the world, yet, we do not have proper planning for implementation. Over three decades ago, it was a pride to be a teacher, and only those who had passion for it availed themselves. Teachers were well trained, and they gave their best to work.

Today’s proliferation of teachers both at the primary and post-primary levels is due to the high unemployment rate in the country.

The regulatory body of the teaching profession in Nigeria is the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) which was established by the TRCN Decree No. 31 of 1993 (now TRCN Act CAP T3 of 2004)

Formerly, the prerequisite for registering with the professional body was the presentation of certificates, but the new trend as stated by the TRCN Director of professional operations, Dr Steve Nwokocha, is that teachers will have to sit for the professional qualifying examinations.

This simply means that, without a teacher passing the qualifying examinations, such one cannot be registered. In accordance to this, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye said that teachers would no longer be employed in the state without the TRCN certificate and those already in service will not be promoted until they present the TRCN certificate.

The renewal of the teachers’ licence is subject to passing the professional examination, thus, upholding the dignity of the body.

To be registered, you need a qualification in education obtainable from an accredited institution, after which you can obtain the registration form from any TRCN zonal offices, fill and submit same along with photocopies of your credentials including the original copy of the deposit slip.

Get certified, to avoid being embarrassed.

THE GIANT IN YOU

THE FUTURE IS PURCHASED WITH THE PRESENT

I would say a giant is a person of extraordinary strength in body or intellect. This simply implies that giants come in different forms- stature or intellect.

Different giants have emerged over time and can be traced to the Holy Bible when the sons of God had intercourse with the daughters of men, which brought about the Nephilim; also referred to as GIANTS- they were mighty in stature.

Another form of giants can be seen in a man called Nimrod, who was intellectually mighty in his works in erecting the Tower of Babel. He was able to search what he could bring into the human world. Do you belong to the former or latter class of giant?

Firstly, where does it start to become an intellectual giant?

Does going to a conventional school have influence on you becoming a giant? To a large extent it does, but you don't need to acquire all the academic qualifications to being one. The first point of call is YOU. Your mind!

The human mind is a set of cognitive faculties that enables consciousness, perception, thinking, judgement and memory. With the mind, we are aware of our immediate environment, to perceive and respond to stimuli using sensory receptors situated different parts of the body.

So many theories have emerged regarding the situate of the mind, but it is generally accepted as being synonymous with our thoughts. It is exclusive to every individual. You are the only one who can interprete your intrapersonal communication.

Secondly, how can the mind be developed? Often times in my discussion with people (especially young folks) I make it known to them that no one was born a dullard or genius. You can become what you choose for yourself.

Basically, the affective, psychomotor and cognitive aspects of our lives are very important. The question is: what do you feed your mind with? The human mind (brain) is such a storehouse which is capable of retaining things for a long time due to the interconnection of billions of neurons.

Someone sat down to think on how to facilitate calculations from the use of Abacus to scientific calculators. The missing Malaysian plane is nowhere to be found yet, even with the high technology being used in the world today.

Can’t we design radar system that would detect the tiniest object in the ocean? Folks! It is possible- the power of the mind.

What you know today is not what you knew 20 years ago, because of certain factors such as environment, education and age, which have influenced your intelligence. As much as one’s Intelligent Quotient (IQ) matters, one’s determination to achieving success cannot be ruled out, because your output is a product of your input: ‘Garbage In, Garbage Out.’

Using IQ test to measure one’s intelligence is not as accurate as one would expect, because it is subject to a specific or standardized test for which it is designed to measure.

Becoming an intellectual giant depends solely on you. The future is purchased with the present; sow the right things into your BOX, and you will have the gains of tomorrow.

geophilworld: DON’T KEEP SILENT ONYOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOURI had ...

geophilworld: DON’T KEEP SILENT ONYOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR

I had ...: DON’T KEEP SILENT ON YOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR I had a friend (Bayo) who got married to Jane a decade ago but without a child. Everyon...

DON’T KEEP SILENT ON YOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR

I had a friend (Bayo) who got married to Jane a decade ago but without a child. Everyone had expected that by the second month into their marriage, preparations would be on-going to welcome the new visitor (their baby), contrarily, it was not as expected. Six months passed, a year was gone, two years, and so on. No issue!

Bayo became worried. To the amazement of all, Jane’s mother-in-law was not in any way looking for a substitute for her son. She kept faith with God, since medical reports have clearly shown that the couple is fertile.

One night, Bayo returned from work late, but before then, he had called Jane at 5:00 pm that he would put up at the office so as to meet up with office tasks. While he was talking to her, he heard her sobbing without any response. Abruptly, Bayo left the office for home to know what was wrong with his wife.

Exactly 11:00pm, Bayo called Jane that he was at the door. Immediately, Jane opened the door and fell on her husband. Still sobbing! All attempts to know what was wrong were abortive, as Jane kept mute all the while.

Jane was able to put herself together to talk to her husband. Here is what she said: “I may not be the best woman on earth, but I know assuredly, that you are worth more than the whole world to me. I cannot fathom the depth of your love. I will always love you. Bayo was startled for some minutes, wondering such accolades on him by his wife.

She then let the cat out of the bag and said: “honey, I’m two weeks pregnant! Bayo screamed and burst into tears of joy, appreciating God’s loving-kindness towards his family.

Nine months later, Jane was delivered of a baby boy who was named ‘Ebun-Oluwa’ meaning God’s gift. Three years later, a feud ensued between the couple over their son’s character, who bullied every child he came across. He became a pilferer, and insolent when corrected. Hmmm! The child we all expected.

In all these, Jane kept silent on her son’s characters which were worsening by the day, since she had waited for ten years before having him.

Ebun-Oluwa became an affront to the family, and would use derogatory words on his parents. What really went wrong?

If you think you are doing your child a whole world of good by keeping mute on his/her absurd character, then, are kicking against the bricks. Definitely, you will feel the pains alone. An average African child needs not to be pampered; else, you spoil the child.

Parents and guardians please don’t keep quiet on your child’s behaviour, lest we breed posterity of indignity.

POLITICAL HARLOTRY IN NIGERIA’S POLITICAL SYSTEM

During the time of creation, everything that God created was good in his eyes, of which they are still maintaining the status-quo, thus, being blessings to mankind. The seas have remained in their positions; the sun and moon have never been rivals; the nebulas have equally maintained theirs. Contrary to this is man (both male and female) who is seen as an insatiable being. Man has not maintained the position that God gave to him, and has played the harlotry right from the beginning.

Political harlotry in my own perspective is a system of leaving or decamping from a political party on the ground of ideological differences. Political harlotry is synonymous with cross-carpeting, and it took the centre stage some decades back when political parties in the country experienced a large pull-out of members from opposition  basically in search of what appeals to their quest for power and affluence.

Cross-carpeting was legitimized in March 2010 by the Nigerian Senate according to Section 68(1), (109(1)) of the 1999 Constitution on the basis of a division in a member’s political party or there is a merger of that party with another or factions in the party. In recent times, Nigeria’s political parties have experienced series of crises which brought about defection from one party to another.

Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor of Imo state who lost to the incumbent governor Rochas Okorocha in the April 2011 gubernatorial election, was formerly a member of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA). He left the party for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and finally pitched his tent in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he was ousted from office.

Isa Yuguda, a former governor of Bauchi state was a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) after which he decamped to the ruling PDP.

The intra-party crisis in January 2014 which rocked the Peoples Democratic Party under the chairmanship of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, also brought about massive exodus of members from the party to the opposition party. During this period, governors Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Idris Wada (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara,) and many of their loyalists cross-carpeted from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Former governor of Ekiti state, Segun Oni, also decamped from the PDP to the APC on the candidacy of Ayo Fayose as the party’s flag bearer for the June 21 election in the state. Mediocrity of the latter was the main reason for his decamping.

A former minister of aviation, Chief Femi Fani-kayode, who was a stalwart of the PDP, cross-carpeted to the APC, after which he dumped the party, accusing the leadership of the party of having an Islamic agenda and insincerity among its members.

Presently, there is a rift between Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state under the platform of the APC and a national leader of the party, Chief Segun Osoba, on the ground of exclusivity of some party faithfuls from the state government. If this feud between the duo is not resolved, then, cross-carpeting is imminent as the 2015 general elections draw near.

People defect from one party to another on the ground of party ideological differences. The value system of our political landscape is gradually being torn apart due to sentimentalism. Let us do the right thing so as to secure our posterity.

NIGERIA POLITICS: BETWEEN FAYEMI AND FAYOSE

The build up to the race for whom to occupy the Ekiti State Government House, come June 21, 2014, is drawing very near, and the battle between the titans is already on top gear.

The state has been greeted with incessant cases of violence between supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The incumbent governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, assumed office on Saturday October 16, 2010, and has been given the party’s ticket to run for a second term in office. Governor Kayode Fayemi succeeded Engr. Segun Oni, after fighting a legal battle for 42 months to reclaim his mandate in a court injunction on October 15, 2010, at the Court of Appeal, Ilorin, Kwara state.

On assumption of office, Governor Kayode Fayemi outlined an 8-point agenda as the road map to the development of Ekiti state:

·         Education and human capital development

·         Good governance

·          Health care services

·         Infrastructural development

·         Modernized agriculture

·         Tourism development

·         Industrial development

·         Gender equality and women empowerment

According to his admirers, Governor Kayode Fayemi has touched the lives of the Ekiti people in so many ways. Presently, all the 183 schools in the state have been renovated, 2,820 youths have benefitted from the Youth Commercial Agriculture; teachers and students have laptop computers distributed to them.

There has been construction of roads spanning hundreds of kilometers within the state. The Ikogosi Warm spring has been made a sought-out-for to tourists. The elderly in the state receive a monthly stipend of #5000.00 each; little wonder he is referred to as oko awon arugbo (meaning old women’s husband)

No doubt, Kayode Fayemi has laudable achievements credited to him; hence, his return to the government house will be accepted by all and sundry.

His critics say the education policy of merging the three universities of the state into one was wrong of the government of the day. This they say would inhibit students from gaining admission into any of the institutions of higher learning in the state, thus, resulting in thuggery and other forms of social vices to those who do not gain admission. This would also affect the allocation of funds by the Federal government on education through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND)

Former governor Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, who is also the flag bearer for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the June 21 election, is poised to gaining the people’s mandate.

Fayose assumed office on May 29, 2003, succeeding Niyi Adebayo. In his own little way while in office, Fayose touched the lives of the poor in many ways through the mobile clinics, distribution of potable water in tankers which reduced typhoid occurrence in the state. His admirers in no doubt say he understands the plight of the common people.

Fayose also has laudable achievements credited to him while in office which include construction of classrooms and administrative blocks for the state’s school of health technology, Ijero; lecture theatres for the then College of Education, Ikere Ekiti; construction of roads in the state capital as well as the purchase of agricultural equipment to boost agricultural production.

No doubt, these two personalities have touched the lives of the Ekiti indigenes in so many ways. Following the impeachment process by the state House of Assembly, Fayose and his deputy Abiodun Olujimi were ousted from office on September 26, 2006 due to gross misconduct. With this, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared emergency rule in the state, thus, Fayose, his deputy and the State House of Assembly were suspended.

Brigadier General (rtd) Adetunji Olurin was made the administrator of the state between October 19, 2006 and April 27, 2007.

Although, the PDP won the state from the then AD, but the founding fathers of the AD (CAN turned APC) were able to cling to power again.

As the battle between the titans draws near, the godfathers have prepared their candidates at the shrine, with a view to defeating the opponent at the polls.

Who will the gods anoint?

TAGS: APC, PDP, Ekiti State, Fayemi, Fayose