Education stakeholders have called for urgent measures to restore the quality of education in Nigeria and make learning more practical and relevant to national development.
They made the call during a special edition of Morning Flight on OGBC 90.5 FM, Abeokuta, sponsored by the National Association of Seadogs, Ash Montana and Aqua Kanata decks, as part of activities marking International Literacy Day, with the theme “Literacy for People, the Planet and Prosperity.”
The guests in their various submissions called for the refocusing and improvement of education in the country.
Speaking on the programme, Nigeria’s first Professor of Animal Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology, Professor Oluwafunmilayo Adebambo, said the Federal Character principle was introduced to promote fairness and regional balance.
She, however, argued that its application in appointments, admissions and public institutions was, in some cases, undermining merit and slowing national development.
Professor Adebambo noted that although the number of universities in the country had increased considerably, Nigeria would benefit more from its education system if policies were implemented in ways that promoted competence and excellence.
Also speaking, a Professor of Pasture Agronomy and Forage Utilisation, Professor Olanite Alao, called for greater emphasis on agriculture and farming in schools.
He said literacy must go beyond the ability to read and write by equipping learners with practical skills that would enable them to contribute to food production and sustainable development.
An educationist and fine artist, Mr Emmanuel Arinze, also advocated the revival of practical agriculture in schools.
He expressed concern that many schools with available land no longer operated farms, unlike in the past when pupils and students gained practical experience in food production.
Mr Arinze further warned that excessive use of mobile phones was distracting many young people from their studies and preventing them from acquiring the practical skills needed to cope with everyday challenges.
The guests agreed that Nigeria’s education system must become more practical, purposeful and responsive to the needs of young people and the country’s development.
