Education stakeholders seek renewed commitment, action in 2024

In order to promote meaningful development in the education sector by 2024, major players in the field have emphasised the urgent need for real commitment and attention from both national and subnational governments.

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, stated that the industry saw no significant changes in 2023 as he looked back on the previous year and ahead to the new one.

In order to revitalise the industry and advance the nation’s rapid growth and development, he emphasised the paramount importance of strong political will.

Sincerely, during the previous year, there were no notable developments in the industry. Particularly in regards to fiscal allocation, it does not live up to our expectations. According to Osodeke, the budget allotted for education is still minimal and static, making revolutionary changes impossible.
He mentioned several issues, such as unfavourable learning conditions, inadequate facilities, a dearth of teaching resources, low pay for industry workers, and financial limitations.
Sincerely, I can state that during the year under consideration, nothing noteworthy changed in the overall sector. When it comes to the distribution of funds, it is almost exactly the opposite of what we desire.
“Compared to the previous eight years, it is not different. The situation is not improving. Consider the sum allotted to the industry this year. Is it evidence that we genuinely desire change?
Even yet, the 8.8% budget that was suggested was less than the 26% that the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation had suggested be spent on this field.
“Even putting aside the budget, we all see the deplorable state of the educational system, inadequate infrastructure, a lack of instructional materials or none at all, inadequate pay for those employed in the field, and of course the controversial funding.
“These budgets are rarely implemented correctly even after they are passed. The ASUU head expressed, “I hope we take a comprehensive approach to the sector and identify the problem areas in an effort to offer solutions for a better Nigeria.”
In order for the government’s promised efforts to produce the required results, Osodeke emphasised how important it is that the monies allotted for important educational projects match the government’s promised activities.
The importance of these promises was highlighted by him as he praised a number of state governments, including those of Enugu, Abia, and Oyo, for passing noteworthy budgets set aside for education. As a crucial pillar of national growth, Osodeke argued in favour of giving priority to education.
“In terms of budget allocation for the sector in the upcoming year, I would like to say that I appreciate what some state governments have just done.”
It implies that we are progressively realising the role that education plays in fostering national identity.
I would like to add that it is historic that states like Enugu have approved a 33% budget for education. It is noteworthy that Abia and Oyo achieved passing rates of 20 and 21 percent, respectively. If these results are realised, they will greatly benefit society.
The federal government should take a cue from these three state governments if they carry out these budgets as planned. We applaud them for having taken this course of action.
We, as a people, and not outsiders, possess the necessary abilities to resolve our own problems, as I previously stated.
“In order to achieve our goals, we need to turn inward and prioritise education. We should no longer be seeking favours from the West,” stated Osodeke.
Education in 2023 is not up to par, according to Mr. Akinteye Afeez, Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Afeez is hoping that in 2024, the government will fulfil its commitments to promote education and end the ASUU strikes. These commitments include the provision of CNG buses, bursaries, and greater funding for education.
“The quality of education has not improved from before. The overall performance of the sector has not changed from prior years’ results, and there is still no discernible improvement.
“All we can hope is that the administration will finally begin implementing its promised measures in 2024. Among these are the CNG buses that the federal government has promised, bursaries, and budget increases for education.
We wish for brighter years to come and hope that we have truly bid the ASUU strikes farewell. However, we believe that the year under review’s performance in education was subpar, according to Afeez.
To ensure high-quality education, former education minister Prof. Chinwe Obaji asked for increased oversight and monitoring of government- and private-owned institutions. Noting the outrageous rates some private secondary schools ask for registering for public exams, she emphasised the need to stop exploitative tendencies and the need for school officials to be held accountable.
The government has to intensify its efforts to shine a spotlight on education, particularly in privately held secondary schools where unscrupulous educators and administrators defraud parents of their hard-earned money under the pretence of completing required coursework.
Concerning the absurd demands made by some of these private schools, some parents have been complaining about them repeatedly.
“What worries me the most about these is the exorbitant costs these schools often quote these parents for registering for public exams like the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) administered by WAEC and the Senior School Certificate Examination (NEC).”
Compared to the usual rates set by the two examination boards, these prices are typically significantly higher.
Additionally, as it has been found that some public school teachers quit their jobs to pursue side projects or other interests, similar light needs to be shone on those institutions as well.
Not only the government, but school administrators also need to exhibit this kind of commitment, discipline, and passion.
To bring the industry to the much-needed peak, the former minister declared, “all hands must be on deck.”
Converging on the importance of education, the stakeholders demanded coordinated actions to bring the industry up to the required level.