Education in Nigeria replete with political undertones, inequities, says Prof Undie

The 97th Inaugural lecturer of the University of Calabar, Prof. John Atelwhoble Undie, has said that the control of education in Nigeria is replete with lots of political undertones, stressing that the Nigerian environment is a prime source of inequality in education.

Prof. John Undie stated this at the Institutions International Conference Centre while delivering his inaugural lecture on the topic: ‘Politics and Educational Planning Crises: Who Pays and Who Bears the Brunt.’

He said the unequal distribution of institutions, facilities or resources are symptoms of the structure of general educational inequalities, adding that, Federal Government Schools, Missionary schools, Nursery Schools, Special Schools, and Private schools provide generous education for the privileged few, while the government provides minimal educational facilities for the public schools in the midst of increasing demand and unprecedented pupils/students.

According to the inaugural lecturer, the use of extramural classes, shift system, sandwich programmes and private classes are some of the remedies to augment government efforts, stating that, parents and guardians are compelled by the circumstance on ground to seek for alternative education for their wards to avoid educational inefficiencies.

The University don said issues of University autonomy and academic freedom reveal that government is inconsistent as to what should be the exact position of University autonomy and academic freedom, stressing that, government is afraid of losing much power by granting full-fledged autonomy to Universities.

Prof. Undie said the introduction of Education Trust Fund to aid the funding of education is also in the webs of politics, saying that some high ranking university administrators have become demi-gods when it comes to the management of funds.

The Inaugural lecturer said: “Most of what we do in the tertiary institutions, to a large extent, is politically determined said it is not strange in Nigerian universities. You will find a scenario where deans of Faculties whose tenures have elapsed still continuing in office.

“Education in all its intent is dictated by the political, economic and social environment and as the political environment metamorphoses that is how their needs for the beneficiary of Education also change.’’

He further lamented that Educational planning is indeed at the mercy of political consideration; maintaining that, what belongs to the discipline of Educational Management has been stolen by the informed class as expressed in the position of Educational planning.

The University Don however highlighted the good aspects of educational policies and programmes politics to include; promotion and sustainability of development and service to the people, improvement of the living standards of the masses, political and Educational management stability, among others.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Florence Obi, in her remarks, thanked the inaugural lecturer for delivering a very apt and timely lecture, even as she described him as a complete teacher who has exhibited a high level of competence in the discharge of his duties.

While reiterating his administration’s commitment to sustaining the inaugural lecture series, saying that since it is a platform where academics contribute to knowledge it should be taken seriously by academics.

She said undue political interference is inimical to the growth of the educational sector hence the need for government at all levels to accord priority attention to education.

High point of the Inaugural lecture was the presentation of memento to the Inaugural lecturer by the Vice Chancellor.