The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) described the lack of understanding of educational policies by policy implementers and frequent interference by donor agencies as the major factors contributing to the dwindling fortune of education in the state.
Dr. Sadiq Abubakar Ilelah, Director Planning, Research and Statistics, of the agency said Bauchi State has good educational policies but decried that that those saddled with the responsibility of implementation of such polices lacks understanding of such policies hence the continued setback in the sector.
Speaking on the topic ‘The Educational Policies in Nigeria: The Gaps and How to Bridge them and the Role of Political Will’ as part of series of webinar themed ‘Learning for Lasting Peace’ organized by Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), to commemorate International Day of Education, Dr. Ileleh said the notion that the county’s educational curriculum is outdated doesn’t hold water, but said the major problem is lack of understanding of the curriculum by teachers and policy managers.
“I totally disagree with that. The problem is that our people doesn’t have the knowledge of the curriculum including the teachers. The people that are expected to have it doesn’t and they are not willing to know it”, he said.
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Speaking on educational policies, he said the national policy for education was reviewed for certain time even though it was not reviewed in recent time, noting that donor agencies in the education sector have continue to exercise influence in such policies.
The educational expert opined that political influence and lack of focus is what is affecting educational policies thus accounting for poor performance of school children and the backwardness of the system.
On the influence of donor agencies in educational policies, he said “we just change without hesitation and that is what is causing alot of setbacks to our children”.
“Political influence affects policy making directly or indirectly, which caused serious setbacks. If you look at the teachers they are not productive. It is the fault of the body because the teachers are not qualified, they are relegated and not interested”, said Ilelah.
Recounting that in tje past, the nation had the 7-5-4 system but later changed to 6-3-3-4 and subsequently to present 9-3-4 systems, which according to him, doesn’t change much in the quality of education.
“The issue is under utilization of the policy. The stakeholders are not knowledgeable of the policy. The managers have to come back and rethink. Education is the responsibility of all”, he added.
WikkiTimes recalled that in the previous webinar, stakeholders have blamed the authorities for the use of outdated curriculum and the increasing number of out of school children as some of the major factors responsible for the declining quality of education in the country and Northern states in particular.
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