Recently, I had the opportunity of witnessing first hand the real situation of things in our Government secondary schools. I was posted to a government school within the city of Ibadan for my NYSC. At first, I thought that with my degree in Psychology I would get another posting apart from a school job. After a few days, I decided not to pursue a change.
The school was established several decades ago as a mission school but the Government has taken over for several years now.
The first thing I noticed was that the school had been fragmented into five (5). There is junior school 1, junior school 2, junior school 3, senior school 1 and senior school 2. I was told that this happened because the Government issued a policy that there should not be more than 30 students in a junior class and 40 students in a senior class.
Each school has its own Principal, VP and administrative staff. The office of the Principal is just a cubicle that can not take more than 2 people in with the Principal. I also discovered that there is no facility for Guidance and Counselling even though I was told one of the Teachers is a Guardian/Counsellor. I was interested in their G & C unit because of my background in Psychology but there is no space for the G & C office.
I also discovered that promotion in the Teaching service is so difficult and of little benefit. One of the Principals was recently promoted since the last promotion 11 years ago. The promotion brought about six thousand Naira (N6000) increase in Salary and three thousand Naira (N3000) increase in Tax, so the net increase is three thousand Naira (N3000). Even the paltry salary is not paid on time.
Lest i bore you with stories that do not gladden the heart I`d better stop. But then, let this ring out as a clarion call, from Lagos to Maiduguri, to Abonema, to Birnin-Kebbi and even the most unheard community in Nigeria, let true Patriots arise to the occasion and bring solutions. not just by talking but actually doing something tangible about the state of our educational system.
I have enlisted in this army and we shall take the land. If you are interested in joining us, drop a comment, send me a mail, call me on phone. The most important qualification you need is a PASSION for Nigeria and the future of Nigeria.
This is saying Happy Children`s Day to the Nigerian child. Even though the situation does not look like one that warrants a celebration, I want to say and proclaim that "THERE IS HOPE".
