Prof. Demola Onifade is the immediate-past Director, Institute of Education, Lagos State University, Ojo, and now the Director of the institution‘s General Studies Unit. In this interview with SEGUN OLUGBILE, Onifade argues that the standard of education in the country has not fallen, adding that teaching will not attract the nation‘s best brains until teachers‘ reward system is improved upon by their employers, particularly government Education programmes in higher institutions no longer attract the best hands, as over 80 per cent of students of education in our universities view courses in education as programmes of last resort. What can be done to attract the best brains to take up careers in teaching?
Education programmes in higher institutions no longer attract the best applicants because the price is not right. By this, I mean the course does not bring the prestige and honour it should. Teachers are poorly paid and their welfare package, generally, is nothing to cheer. To attract the best products of the nation‘s school system into taking up career in teaching, there must be a very attractive salary package and welfare programme. In developed countries, university graduates teach in both pre-primary and primary schools because they are well remunerated; they also have attractive welfare packages. The same could happen in Nigeria if teachers are well paid in terms of salaries and welfare packages. It is also extremely very important for the Nigerian society to begin to accord teachers the necessary respect, dignity and honour.
The issue of free education, up to the university level, has been politicised. Do you think free education is still practicable in Nigeria?
Free education is practicable, provided the government is serious and totally committed to it and also if we can reduce the huge amount of money invested in running the government. The key to our social, political and economic development lies with adequate and proper education of the youth. However, federal, state and local governments, parents and guardians, can contribute to education funding.
Read More: http://www.punchng.com
No comments:
Post a Comment