A SPECIAL REPORT ON THE PUBLIC REACTIONS TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROPOSED 12 YEAR EDUCATIONAL POLICY
Treasure ITUBE
The recent proposal of the 12-year educational policy, to replace the existing 6-3-3-4 year programme has sparked a mix of reactions from the public. Our reporter in Calabar, Treasure Itube, sampled opinions of members of the public on the proposed 12-year educational policy.
A teacher at the preliminary level, Mr. Ugah Michael said: “It was merely a proposal and we do not know when it will take effect because it is yet to be implemented”.
Expressing surprise over the new educational policy, Miss Onari Edim, a student at the tertiary level said that she was yet to be aware of the new educational policy. She stated: “I have not heard about the new educational policy but if it is done in Nigeria, it would be very effective as the students will be matured because underage children would not be put in schools”.
Also, a concerned citizen, Mr. Bamidele Enioluwa, opined that the change of structure will not determine the effectiveness of the educational sector. He said: “The structure can change but it does not determine the effectiveness, as the effectiveness has to do with the curriculum, what is being learnt and taught, are they adaptive to changes in time?, if not the new policy is useless.”
A parent, Mr. Ebuka Uchendu, commended the educational policy including the benefits and problems of implementing the 12-year educational policy. According to him, the new educational policy is very nice because it is aimed at improving continuity and effectiveness of basic education but its efficiency is dependent on several factors, such as; the use of computers, favourable classrooms, and so forth. The extending of the educational programme will ensure that students gain a comprehensive learning experience before going to the university, but the government should look into infrastructural deficits in the system.
A passer-by, Miss Helen Joseph, who also spoke with our reporter said that: “The problem of the Nigerian educational system does not lie in the educational structure because there are other primary concerns that should be tackled. There is inadequate funding and some teachers are not trained to impact education on the students. What is the possibility that when the structure is changed it is going to work when the concerns are not addressed?”
Still on the issue, another passer-by, Mr. Emmanuel Ugam, opined that the new policy would contribute to a standardised curriculum, improved skill development and a better foundational knowledge. “There will be standardised curriculum, improved skill development and a better foundational knowledge and other significant changes at the removal of all external examinations such as WAEC, NECO, etc. If the existing educational programme is changed.”
Moreover, a lawyer, Mr. Justice Lawrence who feigned ignorance about the policy regretted that he was yet to be abreast with it. According to him, “I have not heard about the new educational policy and it is probably because it is not an act of parliament yet. In order for it to be enforced, it has to be a bill. So if there are rumours of it, it might just be that it is still in its bill phase and is still being drafted”.
Also, a lecturer of Mass Communication Department in UNICAL, Dr. Mensah Eyamba, said that he does not see any difference. “Personally, I do not see any difference as it is merely a change of nomenclature, nothing much about it.”
The Head, Department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar, Dr. Lawrence Ekwok, expressed concern about the policy and stated that it was merely a suggestion and yet to become a policy. “It was merely a suggestion and yet to become a policy. It is not necessarily about 6-3-3-4 educational system, what Nigeria’s educational sector needs is funding, when that is done whatever name it is given it will work”.
Another student at the tertiary level, Mr. Adaz Ipeh feigned ignorance about the educational policy. “I do not really understand the whole proposal because it does not really make sense and I do not have anything to say about the issue.”
Also, expressing an opinion on the policy, Engineer Emmanuel Akama, said: “The policy is merely a proposal. For me the policy is not a good one as teachers are not paid well and have no teaching skills before training children. Consequently, the teachers should be paid well so that they will have more zeal to impact knowledge on the students”.
A teacher at the preliminary level, Miss Comfort Okon, said: “This is a significant change in the educational policy and it might have potential benefits and drawbacks. The government needs to look at the teachers and train them well. Besides, the government should provide better learning experience before implementing the 12-year policy”.
As the new 12-year educational policy may likely be implemented soon, probably, by the next academic session, opinions on its potential impacts vary widely. While some see it as a necessary step forward, there are those who are more concerned about the problems besetting the educational system such as lack of infrastructures, poor funding and pressure on students.
Be it as it may, it is hoped that the educational policy will shape the future of education in our country.
