An Eclipse Of Education In Nigeria

AN ECLIPSE OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Exordium: From the advent of man, nay, the inception of the cosmos, one thing has remain constant: CHANGE. This is the only thing that has been unchangeable from the immemorable time. Everything within the circumference of man’s knowledge and experience changes. This is why one of the earliest Greek philosopher, Heraclictus, immortalized change when he wrote that “only change is permanent.” Nevertheless, change is always of two major dimensions: positive and negative. The former is a progression while the latter is a regression; the former is development while the latter is underdevelopment. The status quo in Nigeria seems to favour the latter. With due recognition of remarkable advancements in certain sectors of the country, it is not an overstatement to emphasize that the underdevelopment in Nigeria in this 21st century is abysmal. Its centre of gravity revolves around the sector of education. Here there is a total collapse of the whole system. In actual fact, ‘this house is fallen.’

The Urgency of the Topic: This mournful situation of education needs an immediate attention. It is, therefore, incumbent on all men of goodwill, especially those at the helm of affairs, not to be silent. According to Wole Soyinka, “it is too dangerous to remain silent.” No Nigerian should behave unconcerned because education is the life-blood of any nation. Its condition spirals through the nerves of the nation. Peoples’ attitudes towards patriotism, dedication to duty, honesty, hardwork, bribery, mediocrity, etc, emanate through the type of education each received. Thus, in consideration of its paramount importance, there should be a clarion call to action; without the right approach to education, Nigerians will be like children gathering dust in the wind.

Conceptual Framework: Education encompasses many meanings and connotations. It involves, by and large, learning and its due process. The noun, education, is defined by Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary as “a process of training and instruction, especially of children and young people in schools, colleges, etc., which is designed to give knowledge and develop skill.” However, the meaning of the verb, “to educate” is more incisive: “to train the mind and character of somebody.” Hence, gleaning mere certificates does not exhaust the full import of education. Education involves the acquisition of the requisite skills and the rigorous training of the mind and character in all its ramifications. Eclipse, figuratively, means ‘a loss of importance, fame, power, etc.’ In the present context, eclipse of education implies the total loss of importance, value and status of education by red herrings, viz, certificates, cheap popularity, etc.

The Eclipse: The bad consequences accruing from this ugly phenomenon of gleaning certificates through every devious means are tremendously disastrous. The worst part of the whole scenario is that it produces a chain reaction in other sectors of the country. For instance, students, who by one reason or another, did not take their primary and secondary school education seriously will, at the end, clamour for Outside WAEC as their only saviour. This is, of course, not to anybody’s chagrin because such students cannot give what they do not have. Having been sapped of every iota of self-confidence, and having been deprived of the requisite education, they have no other option than to resort to examination malpractice, which is being championed by most private centres for Outside WAEC and NECO. The priority of such students is never to imbibe the needed skill and character at that level, but to masquerade a certificate – a false testimony to the status quo. The same group of students will, by hook or by crook, get themselves in, through, and out of the university, still preserving their intellectual virginity. They will dangerously graduate from the universities remaining exactly the same, save for few changes in their facial appearances. Having been well accustomed to acts of corruption and bribery, they can with ease waggle their way up into high and important offices of the country. Some may be governors, senators, ministers, etc, while others may end up as teachers and lecturers – tending to transfer a knowledge they do not have. Nemo dat quod non habet. It is very obvious that a blind man cannot lead another. Now, for instance, consider the quality of students that would be produced by this calibre of teachers and lecturers! Consider, also, the type of decisions that would be reached by such ignoramuses piloting the affairs of the government. These and other numerous consequences would continue to spiral into an increasing chain reaction until the whole system crumbles. Since education is the heartbeat of every nation, its eclipse affects all sectors adversely.

The Way Out: If Nigeria is to make any headway in her integral development, if she really want to attain its Millennium Development Goals, if she will not crumble down in scores of years to come, if she wants to withstand the hurricane of globalization and imperialism, then, a positive change is an imperative. Firstly, mediocrity in all its ramifications have to be ousted. Hard-work, homework, discipline, determination, healthy competition, etc, have got to be enthroned once more. The modus of examination, also, have to be revamped by the ministry of education, such that examination will really be a true test of students’ knowledge. Secondly, students should once more return to the fundamentals of learning. This is to be taken very seriously in the primary and secondary school levels when the students’ intellects are very malleable. Since teachers and lectures are the immediate and nearest role-models in education, their qualifications should be made more stringent so that no riffraff can attain such enviable position. Students should be inspired and encouraged that hard way is the only way to real success and fulfilment in life. It should be made categorically clear that ‘every short cut is a bad cut!’

Thirdly, there should be a rearrangement in the societal scale of preference. First things should be placed first. What an individual ‘is’ should no longer be sacrificed at the altar of what he/she possesses. Sincerity and integrity of character should be given an enviable position in the echelon of values. Then, discipline and its glories would have been reinstated. Finally, it will be made clear that everyone is the architect of his/her own future. What makes the difference is not any deity or evil machinations, but the individual’s effort and determination. There is always a way wherever there is a will.

Conclusion: Truly, Nigeria is a country blessed with both human and natural resources. The calibres of Emeka Emeagwali, Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Dorathy Akunyili, Charles Solude, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Pat Utomi, Ngozi Okonjo-iwuala, Peter Obi, to mention a few, are not found at all countries. Today, it seems a paradox to write of decadence in education in ht esame country. Not is the least! The topic refers to the academic standard of the general populace. Thus, though few personalities have obviously distinguished themselves in the academic ladder, the level of many is still abysmal. Younger generations, now, are continually groping in the darkness of ignorance, like sheep without shepherd. Surely, a blind man cannot lead another. This, however, is the pitiable situation Nigeria finds herself. There is every need for a radical rejuvenation in our education system. The already-bleak future of Nigeria can be salvaged by taking education very seriously today!