The group, in a statement by its Capoon, Adebesin Ayodele, on Sunday, said the country is in dire need of an educational system and structure that is constructively and productively forward-looking in positioning us for the future and creating the kind of society we desire.
Ayodele added that instead of adopting systems from other climes, Nigeria should come up with a home-grown hybrid educational system and policies suitable for its unique experience.
The statement read, “Education is essential for a viral society; and without education, there will be no civilisation and no development. Therefore, the government and all stakeholders should, as a matter of urgency, prioritise education for peace and sustainable development.”
The group blamed the problems bedevilling education in the country, including the issue of out-of-school children, decline in educational development and lack of interest in education on the part of youths, on several factors including “inequality, poverty, insecurity, infrastructure decay, our eroding value systems, violence, and the rather retrogressive, obsolete educational system and policies that seem not to be positioning us to compete globally in the ever-changing and emerging dynamics of the world.”
It, therefore, appealed to the government and other policymakers to stop paying lip service in addressing the problems bedevilling education in Nigeria, adding that there should be the sincerity of purpose in policy thrust, promises made and their implementation.
It said, “Corruption with its rippling effects is equally at the heart of the problems. Tackling corruption and corrupt practices will go a long way. Government should do more to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living for families; provide social amenities for the people; provide and or improve infrastructures in schools.”
The PUNCH reports that The International Day of Education is celebrated globally on January 24 to emphasise the importance of education for global peace and sustainable development. This year, the event was marked with the theme, “To invest in people, prioritise education”.
According to Ayodele, to mark the event, the group adopted the sub-theme, “Reinventing our educational system for a secure and progressive future.”
