Stepping Up the Dwindling Education Sector: An Essential Step towards A Better Nigeria

Abstract

In any society, education is the means, by which citizens are equipped with the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skill that will enable them, contribute meaningfully to national and human development. The reason for this assertion is not far-fetched. This is because development in the socio-economic, technological and cultural advancement of any nation depends on the level of education of its citizens. In addition productivity improvement is a function of the quality of education provided for the citizenry. However the Nigerian education system within the last decade seemed to have been infected with the malaise (problems) of movement without motion, growth without development and quantity without quality. Hence the consistent declining forms of the Nigerian Educational System. President Goodluck Jonathans proposed N426.53 billion for the Education sector in the 2013 budget has been greeted with commendations from stakeholders in the sector, who described it as a step in the right direction towards meeting the 26 per cent UNESCO minimum recommendation for education in every countrys budget. It implies that in 2013, education will gulp 8.7 per cent of the national budget. This is the first time since independence that the Education sector will top the national budget. There is therefore the need for stepping up the dwindling nations education sector to engender greater productivity and meaningful development of both the individual and the Nigerian nation.