Nigerian public schools keeps the poor in poverty. By S. Kazeem

Nigerian public schools keeps the poor in poverty.

Why should a good elementary education be exclusive to rich kids? Elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods across Nigeria, specifically in communities dominated by the poor, lack resources that are standard at wealthier schools — things like musical instruments, new books, healthy school lunches and soccer fields — and this has a real impact on the potential of students.

In addition, why should a good tertiary education be exclusive to the rich? State and Federal Government budgets so low for education and human capital development — resulting to decayed and uncompleted infrastructures in public tertiary institutions, high tuition and other exorbitant fees in public tertiary institutions — increasing the number of drop-outs and perhaps social vices, incessant strike actions as a result of non-payment of workers salaries and allowances. In-arguably, many Nigerians are of the belief that it is a deliberate sabotage, aimed at collapsing the education sector and to continue to pave ways for private universities to flourish.

No doubt, aside the corruption and mismanagement in public tertiary institutions, the Nigerian government has repeated failed in its promise to improve the standard of education and make it affordable for all and sundry. Ignorance is more expensive but we can make good education at all levels more affordable for all, and secure our place in the league of great nations.

Till today, i see the disparity every day in my neighborhood and the after effects of both 'a good education and the other' among family and friends.

We must face these facts — and change this disparity. Devoid of sentiments or our financial capacities, we all deserve a good education and the necessary knowledge to compete with others.

My afterthought 1:

First, poverty and limited school budget should not be hindrance to getting good education - Yes, it's harder but it's possible through hard work and determination.

Second, aside from taxes, buoyant parents can augment their children's school budget through donation, while Alumnus can do the same for the school they graduated.

We, the average citizens should solve the problem. We can't rely on politicians.

My afterthought 2:

Not only do public schools keeps the poor in poverty, through lack of government funding among others but also, finding qualified teachers to handle after school studies, low parental involvement in the study process of a child and allowing young people to join neighborhood gangs has been identified as the key reason for this educational decay and disparity.

Protect a child, Help a child.

My afterthought 3:

I am of the believe that we can begin the process of closing prisons and rehabilitating many damaged young people, only when we start opening schools where good education is affordable to all. This is a long term plan and would require the sincerity of parents too, but it will eventually be beneficial to our country.

Many troubled nations are those who failed to educate their young people and also invest in human capital development. A population dominated by uneducated young people can never grow or succeed.

Invest in Education, Secure the future.

My afterthought 4:

If our children are not in classrooms, how would they learn. And if they are not learning, how would they end up. The skills they learn today will prepare them for college and career readiness. An educated young person is a potential leader and has the tendencies of becoming successful in his/her field of pursuit. 

Social vices, militancy and terrorism among other forms of criminality can not be exempted from an uneducated population.

We need to open up schools that believe in all children and young people. A country with so many underprivileged young people struggling to survive must make good education a priority.

We must replace the impossibilities that has been imposed on underprivileged young people, by hope and purpose.

The revolution in Education must begin now, else Nigeria is heading for a bigger catastrophe than we have ever had.

Educate a child, Save a child!

Twitter: @MrSteam_