NIGERIA'S EDUCATIONAL SCHEME NEEDS REVIEW

I hope you were shocked when your lecturer called you “Half-baked” in your finals at the university or tertiary education, after spending the proposed time or even more in the education system.

       In every country, there is an educational plan for all children for those who choose to become literate. Most of which engage more than or exactly the first decade (20 years) of one’s life in the four walls of a room. Aside which, there are other informal education from parents, neighbors and elders in the community. 

    In the Nigerian educational system, the focus is on one’s careers, future and becoming relevant in the society, which is building leaders of tomorrow. One could say that it was a perfect plan at some point in time (maybe in the early 19’s), as there were more job vacancies and less graduates to occupy them. Government and firms literarily employ the best or most of the educated elite then.

     The employment market began to change its course, as there were more graduates than job vacancies. Because, a lot of parents started thinking education in school was the only way to succeed, become respectable in the society, and even give their wards their future. They started withdrawing their wards totally from vocational commitment and sending them to schools. In fact, most parents wanted their children to study certain courses at tertiary institutions, determining the department they choose right from secondary education. Truth be told, most were successful with this, until the last few years.

    However, tertiary institutions had increased their capacity to accommodate more students by introducing new courses and department. But, only few students were aware of it, I mean, very few. There are some selected courses or careers that are been presented at secondary schools for each departments. They are:

Science – Doctor, Pharmacy, Engineering, Economist

Commercial – Accountant, Banker, Business/public administration

Art – Lawyer, Newscaster, Mass communication, Artiste 

       I also passed through the system, so I can tell that almost 90% of students built their dreams, hope and future on the above courses or careers. They will literarily call one of the above names if you ask, “Where will you be in the next 4 or 5 years?”

      On their dream pursuit, crossing over from secondary to tertiary education is another war on its own with a lot of stress. But this is not the major concern in this article. There is joy and celebration when one matriculates into the tertiary education. And of course, it can be said that the serious and diligent students will graduate with their best irrespective of the hurdles, struggles and torment they face while schooling (indeed).

       Let’s rewind a little bit. Did it ever occur to most of us to think or ask, if we have passion for what we are studying? The relevance of the course in the labor markets? The additional skills or essential experience attach to the field? If we ought to have certain training, skill acquisition, professional certification, workshop and internship that are necessary? Because the truth is that most firms will never employ people with just degree and good grades (gone are the days).

        Okay! Wait a minute, I thought we were in school to acquire enough knowledge, if not all but essential information about our career or future. I know this is why over a decade of our life is been dedicated to it. But you see, most teachings or lectures in schools were focused on Head-knowledge or theoretical part, this was why most of us were trained to work for firms, seek for employment, seek to have a spot in governmental organizations, and even seek connection for jobs. Another bitter truth is simply that we were been taught to be employed by others. 

     Furthermore, there is virtually no training or challenge to create new jobs in the society, become self-employed or start a legit business (small or large scale). This seems to be the major cause of high rate of unemployment or graduates being unemployed (not lamenting that government did not create new employments). It can be argued that a lot of graduates possess the capacity or ability to create jobs if given the right information at the right time. It does not matter if the resource for creating one is unavailable before or upon graduation. But no! no challenge or question on how one can create job opportunities or become self-employed. 

         At this point, a lot of graduates are now aware of the online courses and professional certifications including experience that can boost their qualification for jobs, seminars and training, that can help improve their talents, petite businesses, ideas and so on. Knowing fully well that career pursuit is beyond just theories, most include practicals and conversion of knowledge to skill (all or most of these are offered and provided by foreign countries). 

      Here is my thought, truly one cannot neglect or undermine the importance of basic education (learning to read and write), because it is needed and essential at one point or another. But the fact is that our educational scheme can be better: the primary education can give room for other things like talent discovery and extracurricular activities that will help children, even as their parents assist to guide their paths in life. While the secondary, can change or upgrade its scheme to offer various careers awareness and information to the young minds for better choice of career  pursuit. 

       In other words, education remains the key and cornerstone to greatness in career pursuit, but success in life is beyond classroom, having good grades in examination or reading books (theories) alone. Education is also one of the mediums or paths to finding and fulfilling one’s crave for success in life.

What do you think? We can help by spreading a lot of necessary information to these your minds in different ways. And also influence those that have or own educational platforms.

Please leave your comment or contribution below.

Fayombo Gabriel 

Thought For Thoughts 

... Because we will think and act.