Current Problems of Educational Development in Nigeria

NAME - USIE COURAGE IGIODU
MATRIC NO - 090131044
UNIT - ECONOMICS EDUCATION
COURSE TITLE - ISSUES IN NIGERIAN SCHOOL CURRICULUM
COURSE CODE - LAS 310
LECTURER IN CHARGE - DR RUFAI

CURRENT PROBLEMS OF EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

The height the educational system in any given nation attains is a function of the attention the government and other stake holders pay to the sector. The development of the educational sector in Nigeria has been bedeviled by a variety of challenges, which have, in no small way retarded the educational development we’ve all been envisaging.

Some of such problems, among others, are highlighted below:

1. ISSUE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND CONTROL OF THE SOCIETY’S EDUCATION

The greatest problem of educational development all over the world is that of responsibility and control, and it does not seem that the question is yet to get satisfactory answers, even in highly developed countries of the world.

Some agencies, such as the family, church, and the state, over time have played major roles in the educational sector, and the extent of the roles to be performed by such agencies is inconclusive.

2. THE PREVALENCE OF MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF EDUCATION

This is also another major setback in the educational sector. As of today, there are thirty one (31) systems of education in the country: the national of federal system and the thirty one state systems. As a result, uniformity is virtually impossible, thus leading to a disruption in the education of students

However, the federal government is expected to set standards that will be adopted by other states of the federation.

3. DIVERSIFICATION OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

As a result of the prevalence of multiple systems of education in the country, there is the problem of diversification and control. Education efforts are diversified everywhere. Dual control and inspection are also common, sometimes leading to conflicts, misunderstanding and retrogression within the school system.

Who controls what level of education? Who inspects what subjects, how often and for what purpose? These and many more questions are begging for answers.

4. UNSTABLE CURRICULUM AND SUBJECT SYLLABUSES

As a result of the need for schools and colleges to meet the requirements of certain examining bodies, Nigerian educational institutions, particularly at the pre – tertiary levels have to change their syllabuses from time to time even when the national subject curricula are constant for some years. The school subject syllabuses are subject to change or modification by teachers. This is in a bid to modify the .syllabus to embody their newly acquired knowledge

5. THE PROBLEM OF RELATING THE CURRICULA TO NATIONAL MAN-POWER NEEDS

It was observed that education in Africa generally had not been adapted to the needs and aspirations of the people. The flaws in this aspect of African education have been traced to missionary influence.

However, all educational authorities in Nigeria re aware of the pressing need to relate our curricula, at all levels of education, to our national man-power needs, and currently, the National Policy on Education emphasizes this need

6. UNSTABLE STAFF

As for teaching staff in Nigerian schools, the problem is no longer availability, but instability. Due to the poor conditions of service peculiar to the teaching profession in the Nigerian society, the tendency for many teachers is to use the teaching profession as a stepping stone to other highly esteemed and more attractive jobs. So many teachers are ready to call it quit as soon as they find greener pastures elsewhere.

7. THE POOR STATE OF THE NATION’S ECONOMY

Another major problem militating against educational development in Nigeria today is that of providing funds for the implementation of government policies on education and carrying out curriculum innovations in various disciplines and at various levels of education.

Also, the introduction and retention of policies such as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and the Foreign Exchange Market (FEM) have only worsened the nation’s economy. The policies have adversely affected the quality of life of the average Nigerian, thus making the Government incapable of providing the quality of education we so long for.

8. POLITIZATION OF EDUCATION

In an attempt to catch up with their counter-part states, many states in Nigeria indulge in opening and running many educational institutions even when they are not prepared to do so. This results in the lowering of standards and the collapse of various educational projects.

9. PROCUREMENT AND SERVICING OF EQUIPMENTS

A vast majority of the educational institutions in the country lack the various equipments needed for effective teaching and learning, particularly equipments needed for teaching vocational subjects. This equipment needs regular servicing so that they can serve well and last long.

10. INADEQUATE CLASSROOM ACCOMMODATION

The classroom accommodation in many Nigerian schools is grossly inadequate. As a result of the large enrolments in this schools, the classrooms are usually overcrowded with up to sixty (60) or more students receiving instructions in classrooms designed for only thirty o forty students. In most cases, the furniture are not enough, a situation that generally militates against effective teaching and intellectual development of the children.

11. POORLY EQUIPPED LIBRARIES, LABORATORIES AND SUBJECT ROOMS

Effective teaching and learning cannot take place without well equipped libraries and laboratories. However, a major of Nigerian schools today lack these essential facilities. Many schools don’t have libraries, and where they are available, the so called libraries have been converted to class rooms. Some schools do not have special rooms for teaching special subjects.

12. SCARCITY AND PROHIBITIVE COST OF BOOKS

Due to the devaluation of the naira, the cost of books has been higher than before. If imported, the cost of buying them in Europe or America and the cost of transporting them to Nigeria would be very high. If they are printed locally, the cost of importing raw materials would still be high, shooting up the overall production cost. The result is a dearth of essential books for teaching and learning in Nigerian educational institutions.