The Academy of Education calls on President Tinubu to transfer the management of Federal Government Colleges to individual states for better efficiency.
The Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE) has urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the education sector to tackle the significant decline and challenges within the system.
The Academy further recommended that the Federal Government cease its management of secondary schools, proposing that all 115 Federal Government Colleges be transferred to state control under specific conditions.
During his address at the 38th Annual Congress in Abuja, NAE President Professor Kabiru Isyaku highlighted the dire state of education in Nigeria, emphasizing that an emergency declaration is essential as it impacts all sectors of the economy.
He noted that the National Policy on Education has not been reviewed in over a decade, and such a declaration would enable the government to address critical issues, including the constitutional status of education, structural organization, funding, and the relevance of the current curriculum.
Professor Isyaku criticized the Federal Government’s involvement in primary and secondary education, asserting that this practice is not seen in other countries and should be limited to policy and quality assurance roles.
He also called for fair compensation for educational personnel and timely disbursement of their salaries and benefits.
Additionally, the NAE condemned the excessive establishment of educational institutions by federal and state governments, advocating for a moratorium on new institutions until existing ones are adequately equipped and staffed as per regulatory standards.
The keynote speaker, Professor Alhas Maicibi Nok from the Faculty of Education at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, expressed concern over the pervasive corruption in the management of educational institutions in Nigeria.
He emphasized that while inadequate funding is a significant issue, the more pressing problem lies in the misallocation of the limited resources that are available.
Nok questioned the integrity of those appointed to lead these institutions, highlighting that the selection of Vice-Chancellors often involves nepotism and other self-serving interests.
Furthermore, he addressed the decline in the quality of education, pointing out that many teachers focus on preparing students for exams rather than imparting genuine knowledge.
This approach has contributed to unethical practices, where students can acquire grades through bribery or other inappropriate means rather than through merit.
Peoplesmind
