Head of some schools in Kwara State have called on governments at all levels and other stakeholders to transform the nation’s educational sector and make it better.
The leaders pointed out that despite developmental projects and policies executed by the government recently; there is still room for improvement as most schools encounter inadequate teachers in core subjects, learning facilities and infrastructure.
Speaking to our Correspondent in Ilorin the state capital ahead of schools reopening and the way forward as Nigeria clocks 60 years of independent, Oseni Ibrahim, Head Master, at Flora Nursery and Primary School expressed delight as government ordered schools to resume back for academic activities.
He decried the time frame assigned for revision after students have missed knowledge for months, saying “they gave us two weeks for revision, what students have missed for seven months, how the students can assimilate? We are not been sincere with ourselves and the implication lie on students?
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Ibrahim who lamented on the state of education system in Nigeria also noted that ”we are not there yet, there is nothing to write home about in terms of educational development, there are so many areas we should address.”
The Head Master suggested that “governments should take bold step by bringing qualified personnel to be in the right position. “Somebody who doesn’t have background knowledge in education should not be given opportunity to man such sensitive ministry.
“Our teachers must be qualified to teach students right. Stakeholders in education should insist on age limit, there must be readiness and maturity in children before going to school.”
In her submission, Olaifa Esther Fumilayo, Head Teachers of Five Ways International Nursery and Primary School Ilorin, said that Covid- 19 pandemic has really affected not only education but all sectors in the country.
She explained that students have really missed a lots adding that , “government and others stakeholders in control should adjust the curriculum in a way that will be based on the students’ level because the system of education has changed.
“The pandemic has really affected our curriculum and we need to go back. So, we are appealing to the state government to assist in providing learning facilities to schools for students to assimilate.
Fumilayo, who appreciated President Mohammadu Buhari for allowing schools in the country to reopen and forge ahead, equally thanked Binta Logun, the Proprietress of the school for ensuring proper fumigation of the school from time to time, provision of hand sanitizer, drums for water and even palliative given to staff during lockdown.
Lady Abimbola Oyebanji, the Principal, Bishop Smith College thanked the state government for building more class rooms for the school as she observes that “we can say that there is room for improvement inspite the development. We still need more teachers for core subjects’ particularly English language, Mathematics and Science subjects.
Oyebanji advised Nigerians to work hard to merit whatever position they hold to develop our country and be proud of it. “When you go to foreign countries that are doing better you discover Nigerians are there giving their talents to other countries. It is our duty to develop our country so, let us be proud of our dear country.
“Nigeria will be great – if only we can be patient, truthful and God fearing.”
Businessday observed that most schools in the state complied with Covid- 19 protocols.
