Government should not kill public primary and secondary schools in Nigeria
It is not news that private primary and secondary schools are stealing the show from the public schools because of the attitude of government to the development of public schools, especially primary and secondary schools. I believe this topic is debatable because I believe educators, parents, students, and government have different views about this topic.
I can remember vividly that private schools gained ground because of frequent strike action embarked on by teachers and this strike action was as a result of one agitation or the other by teachers toward the government. Parents believe the best way to save the future of their children is by sending them to private schools because it is seemingly impossible to hear about strikes in private schools.
Some of the reasons for the strike are because teachers and government are unable to come to a reasonable term, teachers welfare are not properly looked into, teachers are not encouraged, public schools are in a bad shape e.t.c. Sometimes I’m sad looking at the learning environment in public schools and the way teachers are treated in those schools. I don’t know why the government feels they shouldn’t do much for education or why they don’t see it as a priority. Any nation that wants to develop must make education one of its priorities. Education should not be left solely in the hands of private organizations, the government should also see to it.
Before anyone can conclude, knowing the number of parents who can afford to send their children to private schools is important. I know that education isn’t cheap, however, we must not be blind to the fact some need help to go to school. I believe one of the reasons why public schools were founded is for the government to provide help for children whose parents are less privileged financially in society. Teachers in public schools are impressive because most people in their 40s and above attended public schools and the majority of them are doing quite well in life. If public schools can produce those that are in government now, I believe they should look seriously into how to sustain these schools.
It is rare to see a teacher that didn’t have grade II or NCE or B.Ed or M.Ed in either public primary schools or secondary schools, but in some private primary and secondary schools teachers with SSCE can be found there. Since there are at least reasonably qualified teachers in public schools, the government should make use of this advantage to transform education in Nigeria. I believe if public schools are rehabilitated, teachers are taken care of and the environment of learning is conducive enough our educational system will rejuvenate. Some private schools are killing education in Nigeria because of low-quality teachers and sub-standard learning conditions. Some private schools are situated in areas that are not suitable for learning.
Although, I know that the government may have difficulty in financing the bill to rejuvenate public schools, they should just take the bull by the horns to save the education system that is collapsing in Nigeria. The government has more control over public schools than private schools, so any serious intervention in education can start from the public schools.
