Neglecting the Foundation: The Dire State of Secondary School Education in Kwara State -By Bello Idris Opeyemi

Education is the bedrock of development and progress in any society, and secondary education serves as the foundation upon which tertiary education and vocational training build. However, the state of secondary education in Kwara State, Nigeria, is in dire need of improvement; teachers need to be better trained, and many of them need to be paid their salaries on time. As a result of terrible pay and has demotivated them and their ability to deliver quality Education needs to improved.

In the last administration, governor AbdulRasak AbdulRahman has been doing well in the Education sector by renovating some primary schools and providing an ICT center where  teachers will sign attendance to ensure that all are doing their duty. But we want more from him in this coming administration because the Student writing WAEC in Kwara state performance is not encouraging, which needs urgent action.

In Kwara State, secondary schools are divided into public and private. While private schools may offer some respite from the poor state of public schools, most students come from low-income families who cannot afford the fees charged by private schools. Thus, the vast majority of students in Kwara State attend public schools. Let me use the WAEC result for my analysis to explain why our foundation is being neglected and needs urgent attention.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2021, the total number of candidates who sat for the examination was 1.56 million, an increase of 1.42% from 1.53 million in 2020. Out of this, 721,666 sat in private schools, indicating an increase of 2.01% compared to the preceding year, while 838,486 sat in public schools, showing an increase of 0.93%. This further shows higher candidates in public schools than in private schools.

In Kwara state in 2019, in a private school, a total number of 14, 133 sat for WAEC, and 8,484 have five credits, including English and math, which is 60.02% compared to public school in 2019,  where 22,062 sat for the examination, and 11,615 of 52.65% have five credit and above with English and maths.

In 2020, 12,203 sat for the WAEC exam in private schools, and 5414 had five credits, including English and maths. Compared to public school, 19,615 sat for the exam, and 2,134 of 10.84% have five credit with English and maths

In 2021, in private schools, 13, 172 sat for WAEC, and 9412 had five credits, including English and maths, that is 71.42%, compared to public schools, where 16,370 sat for the exam, and 8808 had five credits, including English and maths, which is 53.8%

The foundation of Education is the school certificate, which is WAEC. The government needs to take action by equipping the school with the necessary material and qualified teachers for critical subjects so that students will write an examination at a sitting. Most students will not run to private schools to write their certificate examinations.

In addition to the poor state of facilities and inadequate teacher training, there is also overcrowding issues and a need for more supervision in many secondary schools in Kwara State. In some cases, up to 150 students are in a single classroom, making it difficult for teachers to manage the class effectively. This overcrowding also increases the risk of accidents as the students move around in cramped spaces.

In conclusion, the dire state of secondary education in Kwara State is a cause for concern for all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and policymakers. Urgent action is needed to address the challenges facing the Education sector. The government must invest in the sector and ensure funds are allocated to improve facilities and train teachers. It is also essential to review and update the curriculum to ensure that it meets the needs of the students and prepares them for the challenges of the modern world. Only then can we build a better future for the next generation.

©Bello Idris Opeyemi is a Business Writer, Researcher, and 400-level Accounting Student from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He can be reached via belloidris6@gmail.com or 07068412138.