As the world marks the International Day of Education, it is another stark reminder of the fact that Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in its basic education system.
Development Diaries reports that the theme for the 2024 commemoration is ‘Learning for Lasting Peace’, which underscores the crucial role education plays in building a harmonious society.
However, several systemic issues continue to hinder the effective delivery of basic education in the country.
One of the major problems facing basic education in Nigeria is the underfunding of the education sector. Education budgets often fall short of meeting the needs of the sector.
Nigeria recently increased its budgetary allocation to education by over 100 percent, but the 2024 proposal still falls short of global standards for expenditure in the sector.
This lack of funding leads to a shortage of instructional materials, outdated facilities, and an inability to attract and retain qualified educators.
Nigeria pledged in 2015 to ‘ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’ by 2030. The country is, however, unlikely to meet this goal based on its existing low funding for basic education.
Another significant problem is that of unsafe learning environments for learners. In certain regions, security challenges pose a significant threat to education. The fear of violence or abduction deters parents from sending their children to school, depriving them of the opportunity to learn and contribute to the nation’s development.
Available data from UNICEF shows that in 2021, there were 25 attacks on schools, 1,440 children were abducted, and 16 children were killed.
The availability of education in urban and rural regions differs significantly. Children in rural areas frequently encounter obstacles, including inadequate transportation, and most times, financial restraint might make it challenging for them to go to school.
Data from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reveals that one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria.
Another systemic issue is the problem of inadequate and dilapidated school infrastructure, which negatively impacts the learning environment. Many schools lack basic amenities such as classrooms, libraries, and sanitation facilities, hindering the quality of education.
Also, the shortage of qualified and well-trained teachers is a critical issue. In many instances, teachers lack the necessary skills and qualifications, leading to substandard education delivery and hindering the development of critical thinking skills among students.
If these issues are not addressed, learning for lasting peace cannot be achieved in Nigeria.
State governments in the country have the lion’s share of education responsibility; unfortunately, many state governments are not meeting the matching financial requirements for universal basic education, according to data from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).
Development Diaries therefore calls on the National Assembly to review the conditions for accessing grants as provided for in the Universal Basic Education Act 2004.
We also call on the Minister of Education, Mamman, to strengthen the mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the UBEC funding to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective use of resources.
Photo source: Beevlee
