The Aims and Objectives of Education in Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

Education is believed to be the bedrock of any country’s development. It is considered as the cornerstone for meaningful and sustainable growth development and achievement in art, science and technology. Arguing in the same direction, Umo (2005), had affirmed that, worldwide, education has been recognized as a catalyst for achieving socio-economic, scientific and technological development. For instance, Federal Government of Nigeria (2004) declared in its National Policy on Education that education is an instrument par excellence for achieving national development. In other words, any meaningful growth and development of any country must be preceded by a sound educational planning. Since education constituted an indispensable aspect of social realities of a nation, it is of cardinal importance to any society.

According to Osokoya (1987:19) the findings of different educational commission in Nigeria, together with the contributions of a number of Nigeria academics and educationists highlighted the weaknesses of the old educational system as being too academic, theoretical, inadequate and unsuitable for providing an overall development of Nigerians. Hence, there was agitation for a re-evaluation of the old system and a desire order need for a national policy on education.

 

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

The aims and objectives of education in Nigeria are;

(i)              The inculcation of national consciousness and national unity.

(ii)         The inculcation of the right type of values and attitudes for the survival of the individual and the society.

(iii)        the training of the mind in the understanding of the world around and

The acquisition of appropriate skills, abilities and competences both mental and physical as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute to the development of his society. (FGN 1981 revised) The philosophy and objectives of education stated above are quite Laudable and necessary. But to achieve them, the teacher who teaches the values and all that are needed for the survival of the individual and the society in all ramifications must be fully equipped for effective teaching.

We also have five main objectives of the philosophy of Nigeria Education as state in the policy document (1981:7) revised edition are the building of.

Five Main Objectives of the Philosophy of Nigeria Education

• A free and democratic society
• A just and egalitarian society
• A united strong and self reliant nation.
• A great and dynamic economy
• A land of bright and full opportunities for all citizens.

 

A FREE AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

It is clear that this first objective of philosophy of Nigeria education means that there would be free press, free assembly, free publication, free religion, free education, to name but a few. It is disheartening to note that the reverse is the case. Free this and free only exists on paper, and not in practice.

As Akande (2003:4) rightly observes Nigeria got her independence in (1960) and in about 43 years of existence had had 29 years of military rule. This could be attributed to the desire of a section of the country to continue to exploit the resources of other section speaking in the same vein Nwuchukwu (1990) a council in Imo State remarked in (1990) that:

It does not say well of us as a nation if after 30 years of independence on civilian from the southern part of this vast country has ever been head of government News watch, October 8, 1990, vol. 12, No. 15 some years back, 2 decreases 2 and 4 were introduced by the military to silence the ruled. A number of pressmen and social critics were either thrown into jail without trial or maimed.

 A JUST AND EGALITARIAN SOCIETY

This objectives means that Nigeria is a free society when everyone is equal and should have equal rights the rich or poor. Everybody should get what he deserves. It is however very disheartening that the reverse is the case in a just and egalitarian society’. Equality before the law is not practiced per see. How man people have the Economic power to pursue and maintain the human right in Nigeria? The are a number of hurdles on the way.

For instance, The polities of the federal character and quota system are evolved as a sadly approach at rationalizing and justifying injustices. According to Adeyinka (1994:75) one of the most disturbing issues in Nigeria education today is the obnoxious quota system which tends to favour the weak against the strong.

Nigeria are being treated like aliens in their own fatherland. Fafunwa, a leading educationist and one time minister 8,1990:58 once sai9d, in a federal such as ours, you have to bring up such a system (quota system) So that no section is left behind.

In certain parts of the country, people from other parts of the nation are being employed on contract basis. Every appointment by the government is scrutinized to ascertain whether the appointee is Muslim or a christen, a northerner or a southern Muslim. It is not enough that the appointees are Nigerians and are competent to hold those position(news watch) October 8, vol 12, No15.

A UNITED STRONG AND SELF- RELIANCE NATION

At 43, Nigeria still depends to a large extent on foreign countries in order to exist the country is neither united nor strong self reliance because of one factor or another. We do not have enough man power to build the economy. It is not exaggeration to say that at 43, Nigeria is more or her a “toddber”. Let us have a brief look at the health sector for instances, we do not have enough specialists in our hospital, even teaching hospitals.

A significant number of the few that we have traveled out of the country and more are still traveling out. With the rate at which our doctors nurses and other paramedical staff are leaving our shares in search of greener pastures, a good number of the teaching hospitals designated as “centers of excellence” cannot boast of more than a handful of specialists, personnel in various medical fields. This probably explains how and why our leaders spend huge amounts of public find in the name of medical treatment overseas. Health, they say is wealth. How can unhealthy nation be strong and wealthy?

It is also pertinent to not that government always turns deaf ear to the contributions of man of honour and integrity who are not only prepared to stand above the fog and trapping of high office, but also ready to risk their positions, nay their necks, in defense of what they conceive as the truth alone can lead us away from the path of destruction. Nigeria has suffered a lot of setbacks in the light of political and socio-economic instability. Every new government wants to be recognized with one policy or the other (eg) operation feed the nation, Green Revolution, war against indiscipline.

A GREAT AND DYNAMIC ECONOMY

       Building a great and dynamic economy means that our economy  would be changed for the better. At present. Nigeria economy is complex and things are very expensive that many people especially young ones are taking to aimed robbery in order to survive the hard period, arm robbers are so daring that they are visiting not only the middle class, but the seat of government and government lodges. Even police station is not left out.

       Since it is difficult for the young to max both ends meet, they try to set the end against the middle. The economy is consistently recording negative growth rates. Unemployment level in the economy is consistently at high increase.

The transportation system in the country is nothing to write home about. A lot of people, even government can hardly buy new vehicles. Thanks to Tokumbo, (used vehicles) important to the country. Nigeria has become a dumping ground for all sorts of used vehicles.

A land of Bright and full opportunities for all citizens: This is to say that every national of Nigeria would enjoy equal opportunity anywhere and anytime not media his or her geographical places of birth in Nigeria.

SUMMARY

Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty.