Its been 9 years since I wrote my First school leaving certificate exams. Like in most cases in Nigeria, I wrote it in one of the Government owned public schools. This became my first time ever in a Public school and my experience there made it as though I was in a strange land. I promise to save you some exaggeration.
The first oddity in sight was, there were so many pupils in a class ranging from a hundred (100) to a hundred and twenty pupils (120)! That’s quite a number compared to my classroom of just 23 learners which I knew each of us by our surnames and a face to each. But there, I couldn’t dare and which made me wonder if the teachers could recognize each of us and by our names. If not, how would the teaching be efficient? I’m not nullifying the effectiveness of public school education but an expression of the ten years old mind
A more strange occurrence was that all the pupils, irrespective of the number, had the required textbooks. I mean ALL OF THEM! How so? Aren’t the learners in public schools from the relatively poor fraction of the population? How could they have afforded those books?
Little did I know of the UBE (Universal Basic Education) program that enabled pupils whose parents could not afford to cater for their school fees get proper education through books and other necessities.
Such was a juicy opportunity for all and sundry! Unfortunately, the sun wouldn’t promise drying up the marsh on the road for the learners to access the juicy fruits on the way. I mean, The constraints that lead to the potential beneficiaries giving up these chances include an unmanageable proximity to the school, or the case of the school with such opportunities giving less value. As such, the one without the head has a cap while the one with a head has no cap.
Due to these and more, When public school can’t be accessed, parents enrol their children in nearby private schools when we all are aware that the cost of training a child in a private school is significantly higher than that of a public school. With time, funds become accumulated hopelessly but by miracles; which might not even come. Eventually, some of these children drop out of school due to unpaid fees and the ones that remain in school stay to bear emotional distraught and academically instability, owing to the fact that they get driven from school for unpaid fees and do not possess the required books and stationeries to aid their learning.
When an education is termed “basic”, it is the fundamental orientation an individual can get. To get it done, such child is due to be given all aids to ensure it’s success. It is rather disheartening how the supposed basic education is not accessible for every child. Of which you and I are very aware of the many out of school children roaming the street. So much that the social media uproar hurled at the state governor who intercepted some roaming children during school hours needn’t seemed to settle with all. What do we think of the teenagers that are meant to be in school; learning. Who dropped out and took to beheading their peer for ritual. Sadly, Education is screaming in pains.
…when an education is termed “basic”, it is the fundamental orientation an individual can get
I could go on and above about the importance of ensuring basic education but the end results surmount to ranting.
What do we do? you and I need to put in efforts to make sure every child is given quality education, so we can secure the future of our country.
You should Play your part by training a child in school Today and we’ll help you see them through such success.
At KOA Education Foundation, we believe every child is a star and should be allowed to shine.
Kindly send your donations to 0970014219 Ecobank KOA Education Foundation
For sponsorship, please contact 07042979060 or email us at koa.educationfoundation@gmail.com
Written by: Mariam Tijani
Writer: KOA Education Foundation
