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The Real Huddles In Choosing A Career Path in The Nigeria Educational System: The Lack of A Career Coach

Most high school seniors in Nigeria receive their diplomas after their senior year along with a heaping side of clichés, many of which are blatantly absurd. For instance,

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” alternatively, “You can be anything you want to be.” Furthermore, “With grit and determination, there is nothing you cannot do.”

Getting young people to set high goals or dream big isn’t the issue. The fact that I am 5’7″ tall should not be the only reason why I want to be the next Michael Jordan. A Greek philosopher who lived about 2,500 years ago, gave better counsel when they said, “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.” This insight lies at the core of a new wave of aptitude tests created to aid everybody, including middle school and high school students, in better understanding themselves since there are hardly any career coaches these days to talk to. The lack of it is what makes the life of many in education difficult the way it is today in Nigeria.

August 21, 2023 | 3 mins

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August 2023

The Real Huddles in Choosing A Career Path in The Nigeria Educational System: The Lack of A Career Coach

August 7th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The Real Huddles in Choosing A Career Path in The Nigeria Educational System: The Lack of A Career Coach

Most high school seniors in Nigeria receive their diplomas after their senior year along with a heaping side of clichés, many of which are blatantly absurd. For instance,

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” alternatively, “You can be anything you want to be.” Furthermore, “With grit and determination, there is nothing you cannot do.”

It is not unexpected to learn that people choose their university major or professional route based on rumors, fashion, or after being ‘recommended’ to do so.

“This path is better, you should take this path,” someone said. “That path does not yield good income prospects.”

“Since I am paying for your university tuition, you ought to pay attention to what decisions I make for you,”

I don’t have the luxury of many options. We all know that people who follow that path too frequently (though not always) end up dissatisfied with no work fulfillment, no career happiness, and no career meaning. Burnout and exhaustion eventually set in, followed by the emergence of clinical depression, anxiety, OCD, tears that could not be seen and shared, resentment that could not be understood, and most importantly, the realization that “no one listens,” which then leads to other worse case scenarios. Of course, if our circumstances do not favor us in terms of employment opportunities, the career choices that emerge are typically necessary for survival, and we should give them priority consideration. Why so? Simply said, your stomach needs it.

Do we continue in these job routes without future advancements and developments, or even better, changes, regardless of the circumstances, such as when there are no professional prospects available to you or when you are under pressure to accept “advice” regarding the career path that has been chosen for you? The simple answer is no. If you don’t like where you are right now, move, said Chirag (2018). You are not a tree. However, you must first be able to secure yourself with solid ground before you can even move.

The Real Focus Should Be On You:Look Inward

Our preferences for job tasks and workplace settings across a range of industries are determined by our career interests. According to RIASEC, there are six categories of career interests:

Realistic,
inquisitive,
artistic,
socially conscious,
business-minded,
and conventional.

Realists like organized activities, while investigative thinkers are excellent at making innovative observations. While social helpers lead and influence others, artistic people produce art through unstructured activities. Successful people accomplish organizational objectives and generate financial value. People who operate traditionally love working with rules and manipulating data. Higher character traits are associated with higher job performance, making personality an important consideration in career decisions. Both transferable and non-transferable skills exist; the former is relevant to several industries and job categories.

Conclusion

Finding your unique set of skills might help you navigate the way to rewarding job possibilities. When selecting a career, it is crucial to take both internal and external considerations into account. You can choose a career with a realistic demand by working with a career coach or counselor.

July 2023

Promoting long-term financing strategies for Nigerian education

July 14th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

Promoting long-term financing strategies for Nigerian education

The foundation for social, economic, and intellectual development, education is essential to the growth and development of any country. Ensuring that all individuals have access to high-quality education in Nigeria, a nation with a sizable and diverse population is of utmost importance. The question of sustainable funding is one of the major difficulties the Nigerian educational system faces, though. For the advancement of educational infrastructure, teacher preparation, curriculum development, and the general enhancement of learning outcomes, adequate and continuous funding is essential. The Nigerian education system has many challenges that prevent it from providing high-quality education and meeting the demands of its expanding population if sustainable funding mechanisms are not in place.

The Financial Situation of Nigerian Education at the Present

It is important to pay immediate attention to the current funding situation in Nigerian education. Efforts have been made to provide money for the education sector, but it is still insufficient and inconsistent. The Nigerian government has pledged to devote a sizable portion of the country’s budget to education, but the actual amount allotted frequently falls short of the criteria that are suggested by international standards. Poor infrastructure, a lack of competent teachers, outmoded instructional materials, and restricted access to educational opportunities, particularly in rural regions, are just a few of the problems caused by inadequate funding for education.

Problems and Restrictions with Current Funding Sources

The difficulties and constraints of the current funding sources for Nigerian education are major obstacles to the sector’s ongoing development. It has become clear that relying just on government support is insufficient to meet the rising requirements and demands of a growing population. Oil price fluctuations, which have a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy, frequently lead to budget cuts and lower spending on education. The necessity of diversifying funding sources and looking into other financing strategies is highlighted by this instability.

Only a small portion of education funding comes from the private sector, and it predominantly supports institutions of higher learning while ignoring basic and secondary education. This restriction limits the ability to use corporate social responsibility programs and public-private partnerships to close the financial gap. Furthermore, although it exists, Nigeria’s philanthropy sector has not yet been effectively utilized as a constant and dependable source of support for education.

Possibilities and Advantages of Sustainable Funding Methods

Promoting sustainable finance options for Nigerian education offers several opportunities and advantages despite its difficulties.

The education sector’s financial environment can become more secure and predictable by diversifying its funding sources.
Encouraging public-private partnerships can open up new sources of funding, knowledge, and innovation, all of which can improve the delivery of high-quality education.
Collaborations among educational institutions, for-profit businesses, and nonprofit groups can result in the creation of efficient programs, enhanced facilities, and expanded access to educational opportunities.
Examining cutting-edge financing techniques like social impact bonds, education bonds, and crowdfunding platforms might also present fresh opportunities for long-term funding.

These strategies make use of individual contributions, community involvement, and public participation to foster a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for education. Additionally, there is a huge possibility for investment and resource mobilization through engaging the Nigerian diaspora, which is strongly committed to supporting education efforts.

Beyond financial stability, sustainable funding options have several advantages. Ample money enables the hiring and preparation of qualified educators, the distribution of current instructional materials, the improvement of buildings and infrastructure, and the adoption of inclusive educational practices. Good education creates the groundwork for people to reach their full potential, contribute to the economy, and actively engage in society, which promotes Nigeria’s long-term socioeconomic growth.

Conclusion

Nigeria has the capacity to improve its educational system and deliver high-quality education to all of its population by addressing the issues, looking into new funding options, and adopting creative finance models. Nigeria can overcome the funding constraints and establish a sustainable education ecosystem that empowers future generations and contributes to the growth and prosperity of the country by sustained efforts and collaboration between the government, private sector, philanthropic organisations, and communities.

The Relevance of Emotional Intelligence in Education

July 4th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The Relevance of Emotional Intelligence in Education

Education is an important component of a person’s life as it gives the needed knowledge and skills for personal and professional development. However, the traditional education systems have prioritized academic success over emotional intelligence in the student growth process. Emotional intelligence at school enables students to have greater control over their emotions. The ability to deal with emotions is essential during the school period and also very useful for the professional future of students. In addition, it is fundamental that they learn to shape their attitudes in a positive and beneficial way to health.

Meaning of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the intelligent handling of emotions. Emotional intelligence is the ability to know, interpret and regulate emotions in yourself and others. Emotional intelligence also includes the ability to use emotions to guide thinking and acting. There are pillars of emotional intelligence (EQ), they are:

Self Knowledge (knowing the emotions)
optimism (control emotions)
self-control or postponement of needs; (having self-motivation)
empathy (have empathy)
social skills (knowing how to relate)

knowing the emotions: refers to the knowledge of the emotions and the actions that are taken in response to the stimuli received. This process allows the person to reflect on how he deals with emotional aspects;
control emotions: after knowing emotions, you also need to learn to control them. Therefore, it is imperative to know how to react according to each situation, to have a positive mind, calm to take some action and avoid negative thoughts;
having self-motivation: by recognizing and controlling one’s emotions, it becomes easier to be motivated, being able to respond to stimuli consciously;
have empathy: empathy makes the person put himself in the other’s shoes, making him more sensitive to other people’s feelings;
knowing how to relate: by controlling feelings and understanding the emotions of others around you, you create a positive environment to live together. This makes it possible to better develop interpersonal relationships and, consequently, increases the quality of life for everyone.

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Education

The importance of Emotional intelligence has been demonstrated in studies to have a major impact on a student’s academic achievement, social interactions, and general well-being. Here are some examples of how emotional intelligence relates to education.

Increases the concentrations

As we have seen, by having emotional intelligence, it is easier to deal with external and internal factors to achieve your goals. In this sense, the concentration on the important subjects dealt with in the classroom is greater, which directly and positively impacts the results generated by the students.

Social Relationships

Emotional intelligence is required for the development of positive social relationships, which are necessary for a student’s social and emotional well-being. Students with high emotional intelligence can better understand and manage their emotions, which can lead to improved communication and conflict resolution abilities. They are also more empathic and can effectively comprehend and respond to the emotions of others, which can help them create and sustain great connections.

Overall Well-being

Emotional intelligence can improve a student’s mental and physical health, which can have a big impact on their overall well-being. Students with high emotional intelligence can manage stress, anxiety, and sadness better, which can lead to better mental health results. They are also better prepared to handle difficult events and adjust to change, which can boost their resilience and overall well-being.

Ways to Teach Emotional Intelligence

There are various educational tactics and interventions that can be used to teach and promote emotional intelligence. Here are some ideas for incorporating emotional intelligence into education:

Introduce the main pillars to teachers

Initially, teachers must have knowledge about what emotional intelligence is and what are its pillars. Still, they need to understand that this will bring gains both for the school day and for the personal lives of students and educators themselves. Thus, they will be more involved in developing it, establishing practices and strategies that contribute to students being emotionally more secure and self-confident.

Seek to encourage self-knowledge

Each student must be guided to a continuous search for self-knowledge . In this sense, it is important that you understand what you are feeling, your capabilities and what your limits are in the most different aspects, in addition to knowing the skills and competences you have and those you need to develop.

In this way, there is the possibility of setting objectives that will actually impact their development, so that they have a greater focus in the classroom, which goes beyond just absorbing the proposed content.

Encourage self-confidence

Above, we mentioned self-confidence and its importance for the development of students’ emotional intelligence. In this way, the teacher needs to bring specific situations, so that the class as a whole can develop it. Look for activities in which students can identify which are the points in which they stand out, in which contexts it is possible to improve them, which need to be modified, among other aspects. If any child or adolescent does not believe in their potential or does not consider themselves competent to take on other challenges, it is also necessary to seek a stimulus so that they identify that they are capable of achieving what they want.

Parental Involvement

Parental participation can play an important role in helping adolescents develop emotional intelligence. Parents can help their child’s emotional development by providing a supportive and nurturing atmosphere at home. They can also provide feedback and coaching on their child’s emotional behavior by modeling positive emotional behavior.

Conclusion

When you are concerned about taking care of your students’ emotional health , the education environment automatically becomes a safe, strong and emotionally healthy place. Thus, it is possible to form better citizens who are aware of their attitudes in today’s society.

May 2023

The State of Funding for Education in Nigeria

May 15th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The Importance Of Vocational Education In Nigeria

Vocational education plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s development and has significant importance for several reasons:

Addressing unemployment: Nigeria faces high levels of unemployment, especially among its youth population. Vocational education provides practical skills and training that directly align with the needs of industries and the labour market. By equipping individuals with vocational skills, they are better prepared for employment opportunities, increasing their chances of securing jobs and reducing unemployment rates.

Meeting industry demands: Nigeria’s economy relies on various sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, and technology. Vocational education ensures a steady supply of skilled workers who possess the technical expertise required by these industries. By training individuals in specific trades, vocational education directly addresses the skill gaps in the workforce, enabling economic growth and competitiveness.

Entrepreneurship and self-employment: Vocational education promotes entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities. It equips individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to start their own businesses or engage in self-employment ventures. This is particularly important in Nigeria, where there is a need to foster a culture of entrepreneurship to drive economic development and reduce reliance on formal employment.

Reduced reliance on foreign expertise: Nigeria often relies on foreign expertise for technical and specialised roles. By investing in vocational education, the country can reduce its dependence on foreign professionals and develop a pool of skilled workers who can contribute to various sectors independently. This enhances the country’s self-sufficiency and reduces costs associated with importing skilled labour.

Economic diversification: Nigeria’s economy is heavily reliant on oil and gas, which makes it vulnerable to price fluctuations and other external factors. Vocational education can facilitate economic diversification by promoting the development of skills and industries in non-oil sectors. This diversification helps to create a more resilient economy and reduces the country’s vulnerability to global market uncertainties.

Poverty reduction: Vocational education offers a pathway for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to acquire marketable skills and secure employment opportunities. By providing accessible and affordable vocational training, Nigeria can empower marginalised communities and contribute to poverty reduction efforts. This, in turn, can lead to improved living standards and socioeconomic development.

National development: Vocational education plays a vital role in overall national development. By developing a skilled workforce, the country can enhance productivity, stimulate innovation, attract investment, and foster economic growth. Additionally, vocational education can contribute to social cohesion by promoting inclusivity, empowering individuals, and reducing inequality.

To maximise the benefits of vocational education in Nigeria, it is essential to invest in quality training facilities, ensure the curriculum aligns with industry needs, establish effective partnerships between educational institutions and the private sector, and provide ongoing support for vocational graduates in terms of job placement and entrepreneurship support.

April 2023

The Benefits And Challenges Of Private Education In Nigeria

April 24th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

Private education in Nigeria has become increasingly popular over the years, especially among the middle and upper classes. There are several benefits associated with private education, but there are also some challenges that need to be considered. Here are some of the benefits and challenges of private education in Nigeria:

Benefits:

Quality of Education: Private schools in Nigeria generally offer higher quality education than public schools. Private schools often have better facilities, more qualified teachers, and smaller class sizes, which can lead to better learning outcomes for students.
Access to Technology: Private schools in Nigeria often have better access to technology and other resources, such as computers, internet, and e-learning tools. This can enhance the learning experience of students and prepare them for the digital world.
Individualized Attention: Private schools in Nigeria often have smaller class sizes, which means that teachers can give more individual attention to each student. This can help students who need extra support or have unique learning needs.
Discipline: Private schools in Nigeria are known for their strict discipline policies, which can help to instill good behavior and work ethic in students. This can lead to better academic performance and success in later life.

Challenges:

Affordability: Private education in Nigeria is often expensive, and many families cannot afford it. This means that only a small percentage of the population has access to high-quality private education.
Inequality: Private education in Nigeria can contribute to inequality in society, as it creates a divide between those who can afford it and those who cannot. This can lead to a lack of social mobility and perpetuate poverty.
Lack of Regulation: Private schools in Nigeria are often not subject to the same level of regulation as public schools. This can lead to inconsistencies in the quality of education and the safety of students.
Pressure to Perform: Private schools in Nigeria often have high academic standards and expectations, which can put pressure on students to perform well. This can lead to stress and anxiety among students, as well as a narrow focus on academic achievement at the expense of other important areas of development.

Overall, private education in Nigeria has its benefits and challenges. While private schools offer higher quality education and access to technology, they can also perpetuate inequality and put pressure on students to perform. It is important to consider these factors when deciding whether to enroll in a private school in Nigeria.

The Relationship Between Music and Education

April 17th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

Music and education have a close relationship, as music can play an important role in the academic and personal development of students.

Firstly, music education has been shown to improve cognitive development, particularly in the areas of language, memory, and spatial reasoning. Learning music can also help to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity skills, which can benefit students in other areas of their academic and personal lives.

Moreover, music can have a positive impact on students’ emotional and social development. Learning to play an instrument or sing in a choir can provide students with a sense of accomplishment and boost their self-esteem. Music can also provide a means of self-expression, which can be particularly important for students who may struggle to express themselves through other means.

In addition, music can help to foster a sense of community and collaboration. Participating in a music program can provide students with the opportunity to work together towards a common goal and develop strong bonds with their peers.

Here are some ways in which music and education are connected:

Cognitive Development: Music education can enhance cognitive development in children and adults, especially in areas such as memory, attention, and language processing. Learning to read music requires the brain to process different types of information simultaneously, which can lead to enhanced cognitive flexibility.
Emotional Development: Music can evoke strong emotional responses and can be used to teach empathy and emotional regulation. Through music, children can learn to express their emotions in a safe and healthy way, and can also develop empathy by listening to and understanding the emotions expressed in music.
Social Development: Music can also help in building social skills and improving communication. When children learn to play music together, they learn to work as a team, listen to each other, and communicate effectively. Music can also be used as a tool to bring people together, to celebrate diversity, and to promote social harmony.
Academic Achievement: There is evidence to suggest that music education can lead to improved academic achievement, particularly in areas such as reading, math, and science. Learning to read music can help children develop the skills necessary for reading and comprehension, and music can be used to teach mathematical concepts such as fractions and ratios.
Cultural Awareness: Music can be a powerful tool for promoting cultural awareness and understanding. Through music, children can learn about different cultures and traditions, and can develop an appreciation for diversity.

Overall, the relationship between music and education is one that has been well-established, with music education offering a range of benefits to students that extend beyond just the musical realm.

The role of education in promoting gender equality in Nigeria

April 10th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The role of education in promoting gender equality in Nigeria

Education plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality in Nigeria. It has the potential to reduce gender disparities, empower girls and women, and promote their participation in social, economic, and political activities. Here are some ways in which education can help promote gender equality in Nigeria:

Increasing access to education: Girls in Nigeria face numerous barriers to accessing education, including poverty, early marriage, and cultural attitudes that prioritize boys’ education. By increasing access to education for girls, education can help reduce these barriers and promote gender equality.

Empowering girls and women: Education can empower girls and women by providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions, exercise their rights, and participate in social, economic, and political activities.

Reducing gender-based violence: Education can help reduce gender-based violence by promoting gender-sensitive policies and creating awareness of the harmful effects of violence against women and girls.

Challenging stereotypes: Education can challenge gender stereotypes by promoting gender-sensitive curricula and textbooks that depict women and men in non-traditional roles.

Increasing women’s participation in the workforce: Education can increase women’s participation in the workforce by providing them with the skills necessary to pursue higher-paying jobs and to start their businesses.

In conclusion, education plays a critical role in promoting gender equality in Nigeria. By increasing access to education, empowering girls and women, reducing gender-based violence, challenging stereotypes, and increasing women’s participation in the workforce, education can help Nigeria achieve gender equality and empower its girls and women.

The Quality of Education in Nigeria: Issues and Solutions

April 7th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

Education in Nigeria has been characterized by low standards and poor quality. The problems of our education system include low enrollment rates and high dropout rates, low teacher wages, lack of adequate facilities and equipment, curriculum that is outmoded by international standards and outdated pedagogical practices. This article attempts to provide some answers regarding these issues.

In Nigeria, the quality of education is inadequate. The Nigerian school system has not been able to provide high-quality and effective education. There are a number of reasons for this shortcoming but the biggest culprits probably include poor facilities and resources for teachers, weak curriculum design and implementation systems and poor parent involvement in their children’s learning process.

Nigeria has been experiencing the problem of poor quality of education in the past. This is because the government has not been able to provide adequate financial resources and support for the provision of quality education. The result is that many students drop out before they finish their basic education, leaving them at a in Nigeria is a complex subject and the problem with education is that it’s always in need of attention. As far as I am concerned, one of the many reasons why children are poor in terms of the quality of education they receive is because of the government’s inability to give out loans to parents who wish so much to educate their children. A government that has no money should not try to prioritize its citizens’ needs by offering them loans since this is something only parents can do by themselves by applying through banks or any other financial institution.

The quality of education in Nigeria is a major concern for many parents and teachers as well. This paper examines the issues and solutions to these problems, including funding, curriculum and assessment, teacher quality, technology use at school and inequality

The quality of education in Nigeria is a large problem that has been identified by many scholars. The problem arises from the lack of funding, management capacity and administrative control within government institutions.

Quality of education in Nigeria is a problem that needs to be solved. There are several issues that plague the quality of education in Nigeria, such as the fact that there is low level of funding and inadequate facilities for schools and teachers, lack of discipline among students and teachers, low standards of teaching at most levels and so on.

disadvantage when competing for jobs or having access to good paying jobs.

Quality of Education

Quality of Education in Nigeria is a serious issue.While many Nigerian people have been able to access high quality education, others have not been able to because of the wide range of problems like poverty, lack of funding and political corruption.The solutions are clear because they require a great amount of money and effort by the government in order to be achieved

Quality of Education in

March 2023

How Nigerian Culture Has Affected the Educational System

March 20, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The diversity in the Nigerian culture has made it difficult for the educational system to function efficiently. The diversity of religious belief, social customs and traditions may create conflict and disparities within schools, especially which indigenous language should be taken as a subject in the curriculum. This can cause friction between different ethnic groups who have been brought together as one school to educate their children together.

Nigerian culture is a melting pot of ideas, traditions and people. The diversity in the Nigerian culture has made or mar the educational system. A country that has a high proportion of Muslim population and animism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are dominant religions in Nigeria. The appreciation for their cultural diversity makes it difficult to find common ground across ethnicities even among neighboring countries like Niger Delta where majority of people have Yoruba as their native tongue but also speak languages like Igbo and Hausa -these are just some broad linguistic groups that make up most part of the larger West African region known as Niger-Delta.

Nigerian culture has played a huge role in influencing the educational system. The majority of Nigerian students have been exposed to various cultures, which may be beneficial or detrimental depending on how the student interacts with these new ideas. The education system should be geared towards engaging with students who come from different cultural backgrounds and learning about them so that they do not feel alienated in school. This can be done by encouraging teachers to be flexible when teaching new topics and utilizing multiple mediums of instruction such as video, TV shows and movies.

The educational system in Nigeria is diverse in culture and is made up of different people from different backgrounds. This diversity has created many problems for the educational system, such as: discrimination against students based on their ethnicity and religion, difficulty in understanding where one individual’s culture ends and another’s begins, lack of trust between teachers and students because of differences in education levels and values (such as differing views regarding human rights), conflicts between students over who should speak up when addressing teachers.

It is important to recognize that many of Nigeria’s cultural differences have made their way into the educational system through the practices in the classroom. While some teachers and parents may be trying hard to include students with learning disabilities into mainstream classrooms, other teachers may be using traditional forms of discipline which are designed for Nigerian students only. It is important for educators to make an effort towards understanding the needs of all learners in order for them to succeed.

skills to make an impact on your family and community

Vocational Skills: Scholarships for Aspiring Entrepreneurs to Develop Business Ideas and Skills.

March 13, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

Entrepreneurship is a career path that many people dream of. The only problem is that it can be quite hard to get started. But with us at Molara Foundation, you’ll get the resources and support you need to get your business off the ground, though our partners.

Entrepreneurship is also a path that allows you to learn, grow and live a better life. It’s about building your business and reaching for the stars, regardless of your background or experience.

Scholarship for aspiring Nigerian entrepreneurs and students in need of financial assistance. Our mission is to help Nigerian students get the education they desire, while providing them with a platform to use their talents and skills toward building a brighter future.

We at Molara Foundation are building a platform that empowers students at all levels who are interested in being entrepreneurs and aspiring young businesspeople. It is our belief that having access to the right support, knowledge, and encouragement will enable them to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.

Vocational skill scholarships are an essential component of the Nigerian business ecosystem. A key driver of entrepreneurship is education, therefore, this scholarship program will not only help you develop your business ideas but also equip you with necessary skills to make an impact on your family and community

February 2023

Education and Music: A Paradox or Certainty?

February 27, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

Education and Music: A Paradox or Certainty? Education is important in every facet of life, especially in music. It allows you to learn new talents and capabilities. Education helps expand your understanding of a new subject by providing you with more information, knowledge and skills. This article discusses whether education is a paradox for musicians who want to achieve success in their field.

Education is fundamental to every facet of life. It provides us with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a variety of careers, as well as providing us with a broader knowledge base. Education should also be important in music because it allows us to develop and improve on our talents that were previously not available. Education makes one’s life more meaningful, as well as provides greater opportunity for success.

Music and education are both important in every aspect of life. Music is a way to express yourself and to learn more about yourself and others. Education helps you grow as a person, it also helps you use your talents better than most people are given. This can be seen through various different instruments such as voice, guitar/piano/keyboard, drums/percussion and bass guitar.

Educational institutions such as schools and universities are important to music because they help us develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are necessary when learning an instrument. It also teaches students how to change their mindset and go beyond what they have already been taught. And, once they’re finished with their education, they have the experience they need to pursue other interests in life whether it’s a career or a hobby.

Education and music are most certainly inseparable. Education is not just a way of learning, it is also a way of being. Education teaches us how to think, and that in turn, allows us to make informed decisions which are vital to our careers as musicians. A degree in music can provide you with access to scholarships, grants, workshops and other opportunities which may never have been available without it. The ability to read music notation is simply one example of how our arts education helps us succeed in becoming better musicians by giving shape to our ideas.

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have in life. It can give us the knowledge to help us achieve our goals, whether they are professional or personal. Education is also important because it gives us a sense of confidence and self-worth so we can become better decision makers; it teaches respect for others and how to deal with conflict; it allows you to grow intellectually and spiritually because it helps you to be more conscious about what’s important in life; it provides us with skills that allow us to be successful at whatever job we choose. In addition, most musicians can learn from other musicians as well as from literature and other forms of art.

Electoral Education in Nigeria

February 20, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

Electoral education in Nigeria is crucial to ensure that the voters are also well informed about how elections work. Voters must be fully aware of the procedures required to register, vote and contest elections.

Elections are now approaching fast and Nigerians should be prepared for this. We all know that the electoral system cannot be left to chance. To keep the country healthy and stable, it is necessary to educate our people on how they should vote and how they can ensure that they vote correctly in order to maintain peace in Nigeria

At this pivotal moment in the political and electoral history of Nigeria, it is crucial that Nigerians understand their rights and duties as voters. This article would like to raise awareness of several issues relevant to the 2023 polls and how they should be handled.

Nigerians should be properly educated about the forthcoming elections. The election process is very important in determining citizens’ political preferences, voting habits and participation rates. This article discusses some of the issues relating to electoral education, such as what happens next following the elections, voter education activities and their outcomes.

Nigeria is experiencing a period of great democratic transition. To move towards true democracy, Nigerians must be able to participate fully in this change. To assist with this process, it is necessary for us to understand the nature of elections, how they work and how we can participate in them through education. Electoral education is therefore central to democracy building and democratising processes.

The Nigerian general elections scheduled for February 25, 2023, serve as a major milestone in the country’s democratic development. The outcome of these polls will determine the course of Nigerian politics in many years to come. This means that now more than ever, Nigerians must prepare themselves to participate intelligently and responsibly as voters when that day comes. One cannot be an effective voter if they do not know how elections work, what they involve and how they impact our lives. That is why we need more educational opportunities like our Electoral Education Program (EEP) in place to educate and train residents on the electoral process so that they can take advantage of them and ensure their votes are counted at the appropriate time.

Nigerians have one chance to make a change. Since 1998, we have witnessed the rise of criminal activities and political violence that led to the highest number of killings in our history. This election is going to be crucial in determining the direction of our country; its peacefulness and development or violent chaos and instability. Before you vote this November, it is essential that you know your rights as a citizen and how they will work under these new arrangements.

The forthcoming elections in Nigeria are fast approaching and the country’s new government will be taking shape this year. This is a great time for Nigerians to become familiar with their newly elected representatives and get involved in building a better future for all. But how can we do that if we’re not properly oriented about these things.

Education and Inequality

February 11, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The unequal bias in the education system in Nigeria has created a huge gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged groups of those who have access to education, resources and opportunities. The inequality in schools could be addressed through policies that target children from poor or low income households or by improving their quality (Ayorinde et al. 2008).

The unequal bias of the education system in Nigeria is one of the most serious challenges facing the country. The poor, who are expected to contribute to the nation by studying and contributing to their community. However, they find themselves in a situation where they cannot get access to quality education because they lack financial assistance and resources.

The education system in Nigeria is highly unequal, with rich and poor students receiving unequal resources, quality and opportunities for learning. The education gap widens as students move from their primary to secondary schools where there are generally higher drop-out rates, lower rates of achievement and social exclusion from employment.

The unequal bias in the education system in Nigeria is a major problem. The gap between those who get better education, and those who are left behind is enormous. This leads to a higher dropout rate of students who are poor and need support to get into higher education. This also contributes significantly to the Nigerian economy being so dependent on oil exports.

Surviving Fruitlessness

February 6, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

There’s no doubt that Nigerian schools are failing to provide quality education. Those who go through the system often graduate without being able to understand a word they have learnt or what they are expected to do with their lives. Their degrees are useless and their education actually hinders many of their futures, not just in Nigeria but also abroad where they could struggle to find work.

In Nigeria, poor quality of education has created a large pool of unemployed people with negligible skills who cannot find jobs or make a living. For these people, surviving comes at a high price: they often resort to crime and violence in an attempt to stay afloat. The World Bank estimates that if nothing changes, Nigeria will have 1.9 million job seekers by 2015–more than any other country in the world except China. Nigeria faces a growing problem in unemployment.

Help fight for the futures of Nigeria’s children by teaching them critical thinking and problem-solving skills–skills vital for any task or career–that will keep them engaged, challenged, and successful throughout their lifetime.

Poor Quality of Education is keeping you broke and jobless with easy persuasion to resort to violence.

It’s time to make a change.

January 2023

Is Education Lucrative?

January 23, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

Education can be lucrative depending on the field and the student’s ability to choose what they have to study. There are many successful career paths in education, however, it also depends on the ability of a student to pick their course and what they have to offer.

Education is a highly respected career path and it requires a great deal of dedication and work ethic. It takes a certain personality to be successful at educating others about something that you are passionate about. There are many fields inside of education that allow for different kinds of personalities to make it in this field.

Education is offered in a number of different fields and depending on the path, a variety of degrees can be obtained. However, choosing a career path is difficult because not all degrees are valued equally.

Education can open many doors; it just depends on the path taken and what is learned. More than ever, education is central to any career.

In a way, it depends on the requirements of the education sector. If you are aiming to become an engineer or a software developer, then it is best to go for a private school in order to get the right kind of education required. Meanwhile, if you have passion for learning and want to pursue your career in teaching, then public schools may be a good option.

If you’re aiming to become a professional engineer or software developer, then it’s best to go with a private school in order to receive the proper training and education. Meanwhile, if you have a passion for teaching, public schools can offer you all that is required.

Depending on your intention, there are a few things to keep in mind. For instance, if you’re aiming to become an engineer or a software developer, it is essential to enrol in a private school. On the other hand, those who want to get into the teaching profession can study at a public school.

In most of the cases, students from private schools do well in their career as they are well trained and motivated. Also, they are exposed to live projects which helps them build their career. On the other hand, public school is a good choice if you want to pursue your career in the teaching field as the training is conducted by faculties who are actually certified teachers and have years of experience in this field.

With regard to this question, it is important to note that the choice of school is determined by factors such as your career choice and the specializations you are aspiring to pursue.

Whether you’re an engineer or a software developer, you want to build your career in the education sector and make a change for the better. Our services will help you meet your ends.

We have the solutions for you. Contact us today!

What is the Future of Education for the Average Nigerian?

January 16, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The average Nigerian student will continue to depend on the government owned schools for some time as that is where most of their children learn. But as the government does not see education as a priority and spends more money on other areas, such as fuel subsidy, unnecessary infrastructural development, what will be in store for education in Nigeria?

With the increase of oil prices in the global market, Nigeria is one of the top oil producers in the world. The government gets more and more funding from oil sales, and also gets a lot of money from other sources such as kidnappings and tax incentives. That allows them to spend a decent amount on education, healthcare, infrastructure and other sectors. But this money is never enough to cover all areas at once. The market price of most commodities continues to go up and the average Nigerian has a hard time paying for his daily necessity. With the cost of living going up, the conditions in most schools will mean that it is becoming increasingly difficult for young children and adults to get proper education or information. The number of graduates and professionals that are produced by Nigeria will likely decrease over time unless there are new public policies for education enacted. As more government money goes into security-related activities, it will be almost impossible for lawmakers to provide enough money for education –ultimately making schools even less equipped than they currently are.

In Nigeria, the government largely controls the schools and how they operate. They can also decide who can grant permission to open a school or what coursework is focused on. This leads to issues with corruption and a poor education standard.

The youth in Nigeria is the future of the nation, but they are stuck in many countries. There are problems with the way they see their parents and how they treat them. Those issues should be solved before we continue to look further ahead into our future.

December 2022

MOLARA FOUNDATION BOOTCAMP AN ABSOLUTE EYE OPENER

December 1, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

The facilitators, the prompt attendees, the welcoming ambiance, the colourful reception, the questions and answers, the brilliant minds, the impeccable presentations and the wonderful hosts. All of these describe the best and most informative virtual bootcamp in recent times. The Molara Foundation Students and Fresh Graduate Bootcamp saw professionals from different works of life come in to teach students on professionalism in the work space, as well as important tools to navigate the work environment. Tools like Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Résumé Writing and work ethics among others.

The 2-day Bootcamp session opened with a presentation on the basics of Microsoft Word which was immediately followed by a presentation on résumé writing. These sessions have imparted so much in the lives of these students just like Joy Ogamba stated ‘I never knew there were people who still teach these things for free and even so well that it changed my orientation about how to present my résumé next. The teachers were so patient and well prepared’.

Other tutored presentations include Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, work politics and ethics where seasoned industry professionals came in to enlighten the attendees on how to navigate each industry, especially with the politics and ethics. Another attendee, Ojekere Samuel commended the facilitators and said ‘I enjoyed and learnt a lot from the sessions, I can’t wait to be back again’.

Molara Foundation has a reputation of helping, caring and supporting students, and in recent times, a track record of awarding students with scholarships and internship opportunities. The bootcamp has again made them prove themselves as the go-to place for students and fresh graduates to learn and unlearn from industry professionals.

November 2022

The UNICEF Intervention

November 18, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

The Challenge

One in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria

With the fact that the majority of primary education is free and compulsory, almost 10.5 million of the country’s children between the ages of 5-14 years are either dropouts or have never been in a school. Just about 61% of children between the ages of 6-11 regularly attend primary school and only 35.6% of children between the ages of 3-5 receive education early in their lives. (Statista)

In Northern-Nigeria, the case is much worse and pathetic with an attendance rate of 53% with many of them getting out-of-school.

There are various factors that contribute to the detrimental state of education in Nigeria. Some of which are: gender, geographical location and earning power and age. These are important factors that contribute to the marginalisation of education. States in the north-east and north-west have female primary net attendance rates of 47.7% and 47.3%, respectively, meaning that over half of the girls are out-of-school. The education deprivation in northern Nigeria is driven by various factors, including economic barriers and socio-cultural norms and practices that discourage attendance in formal education, especially for girls.

Ensuring educational provision in predominantly rural areas and the impact of insurgency in the northeast present significant challenges. In north-eastern and north-western states, 29 percent and 35 percent of Muslim children, respectively, receive Qur’anic education, which does not include basic skills such as literacy and numeracy. The government considers children attending such schools to be officially out-of-school.

In the north-eastern part of Nigeria, over 2.5 million children are in need of education-in-emergencies support in three insurgent-bound states (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa). In these States, at least 802 schools remain closed and 497 classrooms are listed as destroyed, with another 1,392 damaged but repairable, especially in Borno where almost 200 girls were kidnapped in a small town, Chibok.

The Solution

UNICEF’s education programme aims to aid the Nigerian government in achieving SDG 4 by 2030 through improved planning and by addressing key strategic barriers that hinder the implementation of effective education in the country.

It is proposed by UNICEF that this work will be achieved by creating an enabling environment for education, improving the quality of education, increasing demand for education, and humanitarian assistance, including through ensuring:

The education system at federal and state levels has strengthened capacities to deliver quality basic education.
More teachers have core knowledge and competencies to use proven teaching methodologies to deliver appropriate quality education.
Parents and communities have improved knowledge and commitment to contribute to enrolling children at the right age in quality learning in safe and protective school environments.
Children in humanitarian situations have timely and sustained access to quality education services.

Is Wealth a Sure Result of Formal Education?

November 11, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

At the mention of money or wealth, heated debates are ignited; and with the relationship between wealth and education, questions have always been asked coming through the lips of many and flowing through the inks of many. In and out of many years, education has been prescribed as the antidote to poverty, but is there any guarantee that a formal education guarantees wealth? Absolutely not. The bitter truth is that there is no guarantee of wealth. However, education is a solid foundation for any child to build upon. It is a strong base upon which persons can build wealth.

Studies have shown that education can create a pathway to good health and many employment opportunities. It can help people stay healthy, earn a living, and work for peace in their society. Education comes with a lot of positive changes in people’s day-to-day lives by empowering them to make informed decisions while teaching; education guides us to make the best financial decisions.

If every child learned to read, some researchers estimate that 170 million fewer people would live in poverty. It would raise the standard of living for millions of people worldwide. Any nation looking to create wealth for its present and future generations have to invest considerably in its education sector. According to Peter Mallouk, a certified financial planner and president of wealth management firm Creative Planning, “the greatest separation between you and your wealth is having an education.”

Education is not a guaranteed path to wealth, However, if there is anything that can set you on the path to becoming wealthy, it has to be education. It provides the tools and opens doors to exciting opportunities. Wealth can be built in many different ways, but the best way is through a highly-developed skill set and a large body of knowledge built up over time.

Systemic changes in the Nigerian educational system

November 1, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

Nigeria’s education system has been broken for years. To make matters worse, not enough is being done to repair it. The stats from the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, project the dire education situation in Nigeria. According to their data, one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria. They say about 10.5 million children between the ages of 5-14 are not in school in Nigeria. Only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds attend primary school regularly, while only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education.

What Can we do to Bridge the Nigerian Education Gap

With the problem staring us squarely in the face, we have to ask what we can do to bridge this gap that threatens to enforce a vicious cycle of poverty. How do we mend this broken system to ensure a better future?

Enactment of laws that allow for free and compulsory education for all Nigerian children: Even though primary education is supposed to be free and compulsory under the Compulsory, Free, and Universal Basic Education Act, it is only so on paper. One in every five out-of-school kids in the world is in Nigeria. There are so many out-of-school children in Nigeria, especially in the North. For the girl child, it is even worse. More than half of the female children in the northeastern and northwestern states are not in school. An enforced compulsory and free universal basic primary and junior secondary education guaranteed by the constitution is necessary to achieve poverty alleviation, gender equity, and socio-economic rights in Nigeria.

Substantial increase in the budgetary allocation to the education sector: Nigeria’s annual budget to public education is still less than 10% of the overall budget. “Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s promises at a recent international forum that allocation to education would be increased by at least 50 per cent in the next few years and by about 100 per cent by 2025, allocation to the sector in the 2022 budget estimate still fell short of stakeholders expectation as N1.29 trillion or 7.9 per cent was allocated to education out of N16.39 trillion appropriation bill presented to the National Assembly.” – Guardian. The Nigerian government needs to increase their budgetary allocation to the education sector. They should aim to follow the 26% budgetary allocation benchmark set by UNESCO for education annually.

Provision of incentives for both teachers and pupils: Providing incentives to encourage teachers and students will help bridge the education gap in Nigeria. Special salary increase for primary and secondary school teachers will be a start. Increasing the number of mandatory service years from 35 to 40 years will also incentivize teachers and education graduates. Other incentives to drive teachers include low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas and provision of loan facilities. For students, rewards for academic feats will encourage them to take their studies seriously. Also, by offering to support their secondary and tertiary tuition, students can be incentivized.

Improvement of the infrastructure in schools: The conditions of school buildings in Nigeria is appalling. It is an eyesore. Out of the 1.1 million classrooms surveyed by Educeleb in 2019, about 315,579 were in bad condition. Federal and state governments need to work hand-in-hand to improve the infrastructure of schools across Nigeria. Standard infrastructure will improve the learning conditions and comfort of students. Better infrastructure will also help overturn overcrowding and lessen teaching burdens.

Effective public-private partnership is one key to bridging the gap in the Nigerian education system: The government cannot provide education for all Nigerian children. That much is clear to see. Public-private partnerships are an innovative way of funding education to address the big, deep, and systemic problems in Nigeria’s education system. The public and private sectors should play complementary roles in developing Nigeria’s ailing education sector. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can ultimately help Nigeria achieve a brighter future by increasing its quality of education.

Improving Nigeria’s education system may be hard but it is possible

While the current state of Nigeria’s education sector should trouble us, it is not totally irredeemable. If Nigeria is to close its education gap, the government must move radically with huge investment or risk failing the future of Nigeria woefully. The government must also be ready to address the systemic barriers that hinder the implementation of an effective education strategy.

All children deserve access to quality education in a safe learning environment where they can gain skills and knowledge. There is an urgent need for private-public partnership and for heavy investment in education in terms of infrastructures, technology, teachers, funding of research if we are serious about bridging this education gap. It is daunting, but it is possible.

Education is a human right that all nations should provide to their citizens. The importance of education to any nation cannot be overemphasised. It is in recognition of this importance that the international community and governments worldwide have made commitments for citizens to have access to education.

In 1976, Nigeria committed itself to Universal Primary Education (UPE). This move was a means of working toward the equalisation of educational opportunities by providing a minimum level to which all children would be educated. Even though UPE was a success in that millions of Nigerian children were able to receive primary education, twenty years later UPE faced many problems.

To ensure that all citizens are literate, Nigeria’s Federal Government introduced the Universal Basic Education (UBE) program on September 30, 1999.

The aims and objectives of the UBE include: To develop in the entire citizenry a strong consciousness for education and a strong commitment to its vigorous promotion; providing free compulsory Universal Basic Education for every Nigerian child of school-going-age; drastically reducing the dropout rate from the formal school system through improved relevance and efficiency.

Furthermore, in recent times the culture of globalisation has led to a redefinition of education goals and priorities. As a result, many countries are signatories to some global reforms. Two such goals are the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the Education For All (EFA) Goals. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were adopted in September 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which devoted two of its eight goals to education.

Nigeria has expressed a commitment to some of these instruments in education with the strong belief that overcoming illiteracy and ignorance will form a basis for accelerated national development. Over the past decade, Nigeria has made significant progress toward achieving these goals through its National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS).

In September 2006, Nigeria officially began implementing a nine-year basic education program (an integration of primary and junior secondary schools). This program was supposed to ensure that students stay in school for nine years and will be driven by the adoption of new curricula materials. The nine-year curriculum was initially introduced into six-year primary schools in 2006 and three-year junior secondary schools in 2007. By 2015, the nine-year curriculum was fully implemented throughout the school system in Nigeria.

The nine-year basic education curriculum aims to ensure that every learner who has gone through nine years of basic education should have acquired appropriate levels of literacy, numeracy, manipulative skills, communicative and life skills as well as the ethical, moral and civic values needed for laying a solid foundation for life-long learning. The curriculum focuses strategic basic content for the achievement of the country’s reform initiations in value orientation, poverty eradication, wealth generation, and job creation.

October 2022

Education In Nigeria: Bridging The Gap

October 14, 2022 | 6 Min Read Time

Let’s understand the Nigerian education gap

What Can we do to Bridge the Nigerian Education Gap

Enactment of laws that allow for free and compulsory education for all Nigerian children: Even though primary education is supposed to be free and compulsory under the Compulsory, Free, and Universal Basic Education Act, it is only so on paper. One in every five out-of-school kids in the world is in Nigeria. There are so many out-of-school children in Nigeria, especially in the North. For the girl child, it is even worse. More than half of the female children in the northeastern and northwestern states are not in school. An enforced compulsory and free universal basic primary and junior secondary education guaranteed by the constitution is necessary to achieve poverty alleviation, gender equity, and socio-economic rights in Nigeria.

Substantial increase in the budgetary allocation to the education sector: Nigeria’s annual budget to public education is still less than 10% of the overall budget. “Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s promises at a recent international forum that allocation to education would be increased by at least 50 per cent in the next few years and by about 100 per cent by 2025, allocation to the sector in the 2022 budget estimate still fell short of stakeholders expectation as N1.29 trillion or 7.9 per cent was allocated to education out of N16.39 trillion appropriation bill presented to the National Assembly.” – Guardian. The Nigerian government needs to increase their budgetary allocation to the education sector. They should aim to follow the 26% budgetary allocation benchmark set by UNESCO for education annually.

Provision of incentives for both teachers and pupils: Providing incentives to encourage teachers and students will help bridge the education gap in Nigeria. Special salary increase for primary and secondary school teachers will be a start. Increasing the number of mandatory service years from 35 to 40 years will also incentivize teachers and education graduates. Other incentives to drive teachers include low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas and provision of loan facilities. For students, rewards for academic feats will encourage them to take their studies seriously. Also, by offering to support their secondary and tertiary tuition, students can be incentivized.

Improvement of the infrastructure in schools: The conditions of school buildings in Nigeria is appalling. It is an eyesore. Out of the 1.1 million classrooms surveyed by Educeleb in 2019, about 315,579 were in bad condition. Federal and state governments need to work hand-in-hand to improve the infrastructure of schools across Nigeria. Standard infrastructure will improve the learning conditions and comfort of students. Better infrastructure will also help overturn overcrowding and lessen teaching burdens.

Effective public-private partnership is one key to bridging the gap in the Nigerian education system: The government cannot provide education for all Nigerian children. That much is clear to see. Public-private partnerships are an innovative way of funding education to address the big, deep, and systemic problems in Nigeria’s education system. The public and private sectors should play complementary roles in developing Nigeria’s ailing education sector. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can ultimately help Nigeria achieve a brighter future by increasing its quality of education.

Improving Nigeria’s education system may be hard but it is possible

Independence and Education: The way forward

Education In Nigeria Pre-Independence

British colonial masters introduced western education in Nigeria in the 19th century. Methodist missionaries started the first primary school in Nigeria in 1843. A few years later, in 1854, some Christian missionaries started CMS grammar school in Lagos. It became the first secondary school in Nigeria.

When Lord Frederick Luggard combined the northern and southern regions into one colony in 1914, 11 secondary schools were in operation—all but one were run by missionaries. There were also 91 mission and 59 government elementary schools.

The first higher education institution, the Yaba Higher College, was established in 1932 and began operation two years later. In 1948, the University of Ibadan was created. The school started with just 104 students.

The early educational system in Nigeria focused on producing clerks, interpreters, and other specialists to work with the Europeans. They were needed to support the administration of the colonial government.

Education In Nigeria Post-Independence

The number of universities rose from one to five in 1962. In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a remarkable increase in the number of higher institutions established in Nigeria. This increase led to the growth of education in the country.

From 1980 till 2018, the number of primary schools has increased from around 2400 to well over 12 million. There are now over 1.2 million secondary schools to about 1.2 million and hundreds of higher institutions.

The Nigerian education system has seen many ups and downs since the country gained independence in 1960. There have been a lot of changes in government policies on education as Nigeria is experimenting with different systems to put in place an effective educational system.

Challenges Of Education In Nigeria Since Independence

Inadequate funds for education
Lack of motivation for teachers
Corruption
Infrastructural challenges
Lack of accountability from relevant authorities

Inadequate funds for education – Developed countries invest up to 4-6% of GDP and 15-20% of their national budgets in education. However, in Nigeria, between 2016 and 2021, the budget allocation for education has not exceeded 7.14%. This number is abysmally poor for a country with over 10.2 million children out of school. Consequently, the private sector is taking the available space through private investment in education, thus heightening inequality and poverty.

Lack of motivation for teachers: For every goal and objective to be realised, there has to be motivational mechanisms expected to enhance productivity for desirable results. The motivation of teachers has great significance in the educational system. A motivated teacher adds value and quality to the educational system. Especially the teaching-learning outcomes and outputs. The morale of teachers dwindles when there is a lack of job security, low salaries, and a lack of support from the administration.

Corruption: Corruption is rampant within the Nigerian education system and continues to fester unchecked. Common examples of corruption in the education sector include the embezzlement and diversion of funds, equipment, and school supplies, procurement fraud, examination malpractice, sexual exploitation, nepotism, favouritism, and bribery.

Infrastructural challenges: The availability of infrastructure in quantity and quality is necessary for functional education. Education infrastructure is a factor in determining the quality of learning and graduates. However, most public schools lack basic infrastructures, such as laboratories, libraries, electricity, and a quality learning environment. The existing infrastructures in some schools are terrible, while others are below acceptable standards. In a few cases, nonexistent.

Lack of accountability from relevant authorities: Over the years, calls for accountability have become imperative because of the demand for constructive changes in Nigeria’s education system. In schools, administrators and subordinates neglect these essential ingredients in the performance of their administrative functions. The effect is that there is neglect and wastage in the system. Wastage of human, fiscal, and material resources is now rampant. Some others are misallocated and misused. The direct and indirect loss involved is of great concern. Quality education in Nigeria can become a reality only if there is accountability and transparency from relevant authorities.

The Way Forward

Stakeholders must ensure that quality education becomes a right that is promoted, protected, and realised by all.

The government should implement educational policies through funding, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms. Consecutive governments must be committed to providing a steady flow of funds to educational institutions. They must also encourage private-sector participation in funding. There must be systems to fund, manage, maintain, and evaluate education in Nigeria.

Education is a principal tool for development, and it is time for the government to utilise it effectively.

September 2022

Independence and Education: The way forward

Education In Nigeria Pre-Independence

Education In Nigeria Post-Independence

Challenges Of Education In Nigeria Since Independence

Inadequate funds for education
Lack of motivation for teachers
Corruption
Infrastructural challenges
Lack of accountability from relevant authorities

The Way Forward

Stakeholders must ensure that quality education becomes a right that is promoted, protected, and realised by all.

Education is a principal tool for development, and it is time for the government to utilise it effectively.

The Free Education Era in Nigeria

The emergence of Free education in Nigeria
In 1955, the government of the Western Region of Nigeria introduced a free primary education programme. That scheme suffered a fatal blow following the military takeover of the government in 1966. However, the programme left an indelible imprint on education in Western Nigeria and the country.

The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme was introduced in 1999 by the Federal Government of Nigeria as a reform programme aimed at providing greater access to and ensuring the quality of education throughout Nigeria. Under the programme, the Federal Government assists the States and Local Governments in Nigeria with uniform and qualitative education throughout Nigeria. The UBE shall provide free, compulsory, and universal basic education for every child that reaches primary and junior secondary school age.

Advantages of Free education in Nigeria
● The UBE programme has brought about equity and equality of opportunity in education.
● Poor children have access to the formal education that they deserve.
● It also provides educational opportunities for rural dwellers, so they do not need to migrate to urban areas or towns in search of education.
● The policy is for the entire nation. This decision means it covers the populace, unlike when the states or other levels of government handle it.
● The programme has contributed immensely to reducing illiteracy and increasing the country’s literacy rate.
● It has also helped reduce the crime rates in rural areas by providing occupations for uneducated people.
● It has also increased the living standards of people through the provision of employment opportunities.

Challenges of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria
● Lack of Adequate funds
● Misappropriation of available funds
● Lack of qualified and trained personnel
● Corruption, lack of integrity, nepotism, and favouritism
● Improper inspection
● Lack of proper planning and management

Free Education is not just a means to an end. It is an enabler of human development
“Education and Democracy have the same goal; the fullest possible development of human capabilities.”

The human mind makes possible all developments, from health advances and agricultural innovations to efficient public administration and private sector growth. Countries can only reap the benefits of the human mind by utilising education to unleash its potential. Therefore, education is a crucial component of human development.

Free Quality Education is a gamechanger
Free quality education is expensive and resource intensive especially because education is a continuous process. However, the rewards are exceedingly greater than the cost. Thus, the government must commit resources to supporting the vast majority of low-income beneficiaries.Nigeria’s record in the education sector remains dismal but with a more goal-oriented approach to free education, it could inspire more decisive actions to improve the entire education system.

Innovations in the Nigerian Educational Space

September 12, 2022 | 4 mins

The education system worldwide is rapidly evolving. Technology has begun to play a more impactful role in all aspects of our lives, and education is no exception.

In Africa, the educational system has long struggled to catch up with the rest of the world. This struggle is due to institutional challenges, security concerns, indigenous practices, and socioeconomic inequalities in gender and status. However, innovations are constantly being made, especially in the tech space, to provide solutions to existing challenges, bridge the education gap, and keep up with societal changes.

Emergence of Smartphones
The most visible impact of globalisation has been the increased connectivity in telecommunications technology spread in varying degrees across the globe. The use of smartphones has increased significantly in recent years in Nigeria and many other African countries. Internet access has also improved with time, so education resources are more accessible without visiting a physical library or school.

The impact of smartphones on education is apparent, but their full potential is still untapped. Despite the widespread use of smartphones, many Africans do not own one yet. However, smartphones offer options for flexible course delivery, access to online learning platforms and learning resources, digital interactions among peers, and exposure to information to improve understanding of various subjects.
Smartphones make mobile learning solutions more accessible for African students and teachers alike.

Distance Learning
There has been an increase in distance learning options over time, but the recent coronavirus pandemic brought another increase in acceptance and use in formal education. Where transportation is a challenge, distance learning allows educators and their students to bypass the commute. It helps them focus on learning goals and improving outcomes.

Complementing teaching efforts
Technological innovations do not always result in an overhaul of conventional teaching models. Education itself recognises the need for various teaching models and modes of delivery. EdTech makes it easier to explore several ways to teach and learn that would be engaging for the students. An example is using audio-visual presentations and explainer videos to ease knowledge retention and recollection. In many ways, tech in education makes learning simple, more engaging, and enriching. In the case of changing modes of information sharing, technology ensures accessibility of knowledge; unlike physical books that could be limited in supply, tech solutions provide other materials like e-books and additional learning resources to aid the learning process.

These innovations don’t always work. Why?
Technological innovation in education, however beneficial, does not always reach the maximum possible impact. This dynamic is due to a variety of factors. First, the same societal inequalities that influence access to education sometimes transfer to the digital learning sphere. Socioeconomic inequality due to financial constraints and gender may also hamper the effectiveness of EdTech solutions.

Furthermore, conventional teaching methods do not always account for the preferred learning methods of the average African student. Also, some of these developments are still relatively new and unfamiliar. In some cases, they are barely accessible due to infrastructural inadequacies.

However, it is crucial to remain open to innovation and improve the current teaching methods. In addition to showing students to be objective and explore new developments and information, it would help to create an environment for students to thrive and proactively seek improvement in society.

Government funding
African governments have repeatedly committed to improving education systems across the continent. The issues plaguing the education system are complex. We have been researching and discussing them – nothing more. Technological innovation provides viable solutions to some of these issues and adds more value to conventional education with the many possibilities it creates and augments. With enough funding and support from the government, it may not be long before Nigeria can compete with the rest of the world and perhaps become the leading innovator in digital learning.

Molara Foundation Partnering with WOO Network

September 12, 2022 | 4 mins

We at the Molara Foundation never fail to wear our beautiful smiles and confidence up our sleeves because the first step to having new persons believe in your vision is boldness and confidence, and we displayed nothing short of that.

Like in our previous posts, we talked about how partnerships and collaborations move the world forward, regardless of the field and jurisdiction, only that the goals have to align. We are happy to have partnered with the WOO Network at this time and we look forward to further partnerships with other brands and events.

In other to keep our name on the lips of our new friends, we gave out several merch items like our customized branded shirts and face caps, as well as handbills and invitations to our ever expanding telegram channel which you can also be a part of. We would be delighted to host you on our platforms.

You can also find us across social platforms with tag, ’molarafoundation’.

August 2022

Collaborations: Everybody Wins

August 29, 2022 | 3 mins

Collaboration is the process of two or more entities working together to help each other reach their goals. Collaboration is a meeting of the minds. It is the coming together of two or more people to make something.

Collaboration is more prevalent now than ever before. Collective intelligence can accomplish tasks much more quickly. It also achieves better results than if an individual worked alone. By combining diverse skills, know-how, and experience in collaboration, we encourage efficiency, creativity, innovation, and productivity.

Collaborations are necessary for advancing society. Many important fields, such as technology, science, and politics, require it.

Advantages of Collaboration

Networking and Future Opportunities: When we collaborate, we build our network. Having a good network can help create opportunities in the future.

Innovation and Invention: Collaboration is one the most powerful mechanisms for new invention and innovation. Collaborations help bring the best out of people. It helps us solve problems and generate ideas in ways that would never have been possible if we worked alone.

Greater achievements: We are more capable as a result of collaboration. Collaborations are beneficial because they allow everyone involved to achieve more than just one person could accomplish alone.

Everybody wins when we collaborate

Collaboration is a concept in our society that is misunderstood. It is not just an efficient way of getting a job done. It is also a necessity owed to every person involved. Collaboration increases the scope for personal growth for all involved. Its benefits are not limited to personal gain only. They can have an even greater effect on the world around us. This is why we are collaborating with the good people at Woo Network at their activation on Saturday, 9th of September and it’s titled ‘Crypto Meetup Lagos; The next market cycle’.

We will have a stand at this event where we will be answering questions as well as giving out special packages to donors at the venue.

If you’d like to attend, click here to register and don’t forget to stop by to say hi when you’re around.

ASUU: What’s the way forward?

August 22, 2022 | 5 Min Read Time

Background of the ASUU strike?

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike for over six months. It has led to the closure of Federal and State Universities across Nigeria, halting the growth and development of students nationwide.

It started as a four-week warning strike on February 14. By March 14, the union extended the strike by another two months. They then announced a 12-week extension on May 9. The strike has continued with ASUU refusing to back down.

What does ASUU want?

The union is striking against the non-payment of university revitalisation funds promised in 2009. It will supposedly cost the government about N1.1 trillion. However, the Federal Government claims there is no money to pay such an amount.

The union is also striking over the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), which they believe they have improved. They have built an alternative payroll system, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), and are demanding that the government employ their program instead.

President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, said, “It is not just about wages. It has to do with the system, funding, the structure, the autonomy and other issues; and how to fund universities.”

Resolving the ASUU issue and moving forward

At the root of the ASUU strike is one problem. Funding.

Nigerian education funding does not meet the standard. The education funding in Nigeria has not been up to the UNESCO minimum standard of 26% of the national budget. Using the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin, public budgetary funding for education in Nigeria ranges between 4-13 percent. This level of investment in education is egregious and must be improved upon by the government.

Analysing the demands of ASUU, they are not unbearable. They are reasonable demands from stakeholders who want to see Nigerian education flourish. The Nigerian education sector is expected to deliver optimal results with suboptimal resources/funding. It cannot go on like this.

The government should invite the striking lecturers to meet face-to-face with representatives of the government to discuss the causes of the standoff. The government must also show their commitment to resolving the issues. It is time for the stakeholders in the education sector to meet and discuss a way forward.

Students have been at home for months now. Their futures are handicapped by a government declaring bankruptcy while spending lavishly.

The Federal government needs to drop its negotiating and renegotiating tactics and start working to improve the quality of education through provisions of the necessary education infrastructures.

ASUU is willing to negotiate its reasonable demands from 2009 if the government is honest. So far, the Nigerian government has not shown that it is capable of that sincerity of spirit.

Evolution Of The Nigerian Education System

August 14, 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

Nigerian education system pre-colonization

Prior to the presence of the Europeans, Nigerian communities had their own systems of educating their children. There were two main types of education pre-colonization. They were religious and traditional education.

Traditional education helps the young understand the norms and nature of the society into which they were born and live. Through traditional education children were to acquire knowledge, skills and also develop the correct attitudes and values that would be needed not only for them to live in their local communities but also for them to be able to play their own role in and make their own modest contributions to society at large.

Islamic Education was for members of the Islamic religion across all Muslim communities. The religion of Islam had arrived through the activities of the Muslim Dyula (Wangarawa) merchants from the ancient West African Empire of Mali, first to Katsina and then to Kano in the 14th century. Islamic education was limited to teaching students about the Qur’an and the Arabic alphabet.

The introduction of western education

Western education was introduced by British missionaries in the 1840s. The Anglican Church Missionary Society (CMS) opened many schools in the mid-1800s. The colonial government gave the church financial aid, but in the early twentieth century, the government began building primary and secondary schools. By the time the British amalgamated the northern and southern regions into one in 1914, 11 secondary schools were already in operation.

Western education slowly entered the northern region. In 1947, only 66,000 students attended primary schools in the north, but ten years later, the number enrolled had expanded to 206,000. In the western region, over the same period, primary school enrollment increased from 240,000 to 983,000 students. The eastern region experienced the most dramatic growth in primary school enrollment during this period, jumping from 320,000 to 1,209,000 students. The number of secondary school students in the entire nation grew much less dramatically, increasing from 10,000 in 1947 to 36,000 in 1957. Most of this growth, 90 percent, was almost entirely in the south.

Post-independence educational reforms

Nigeria, on the attainment of her independence on the 1st of October, 1960, retained the educational policy bequeathed by the British Government. The first serious attempt at reforming the educational system in Nigeria took place in 1969.

In September 1969, there was a National curriculum conference held in Lagos. Participants at the program wanted to see Nigeria chart a new course in its educational system. They criticized the colonial education system as lacking in vitality and relevance.

The conference recommended changes in the system, from 6-5-2-3 system to 6-3-3-4 system; that is 6year primary, 3year junior secondary, 3year senior secondary and 4year university education. The recommended new system is simply the American system of education which Japan ably copied after 1945 and succeeded.

The national policy on education moved on from the educational policy bequeathed by the British colonialist. Other reform policies include:

The Federal Government take over of regional universities in 1975
Universal Primary Education Programme of 1976 (Adamu, nd.)
The Universal Basic Education Programme of 2000, among others.

The civilian administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo also embarked on significant educational reforms particularly at the tail end of his tenure.

Nigerians should appreciate how far the country has come with regards to education

The progress of the Nigerian education system has been slow, but it is progress nevertheless. With a population of around 180 million and an immense desire for improvement, the Nigerian government has tried to respond to demands for schools and improvement in the sector. Nigerians can appreciate how far the country has come with regards to education. We’ve come a long way since the olden days of pre-independence to get where we are today. We have created many successful individuals from Nigerian education who can be seen worldwide. Despite all the challenges, especially funding and lack of teachers, education in Nigeria has grown tremendously since the 1960’s.

Impactful Informal Education For Underprivileged Children In Africa

8 August 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

What is a slum?

What is Informal education?

Informal Education is a form of learning that does not rely on a curriculum or structured syllabus. It can be delivered by trained facilitators or volunteers through workshops, camps, seminars, and lectures.

Informal learning covers a wide range of subjects that people learn in their everyday lives. It also includes learning methods such as self-study and informal classes, where individuals seek or want to learn specific skills or look into certain areas and don’t use formal or non-formal ways to learn.

Most importantly, informal learning does not require any form of fee payment, nor learners to possess any prior qualifications for access.

Informal Education as a tool

Underprivileged children with access to informal education fare much better in life than those who do not. With impactful informal education, these disadvantaged children become responsible leaders, ready to solve practical problems on their own, creative thinkers prepared to think outside the box and capable of setting their own goals.

We need to empower underprivileged children to be able to compete with their counterparts in the formal education setting. Informal learning provides underprivileged children with the required self-initiative, leadership, basic life and critical thinking skills they need to survive and thrive in their communities, business and governance.

Informal education is a long-term approach, teaching children life skills they need to survive and thrive. It is an effective way to reach out to underprivileged children who cannot access or benefit from formal learning because of various reasons.

Ways to provide impactful informal education for children in Africa

Considering the challenges underprivileged children in Africa face, they must be provided with quality informal education. Informal learning has a great potential for helping a wide range of learners achieve more desirable and rewarding circumstances for themselves and their communities.

Impactful informal education can be achieved through the provision of quality skills-based informal education programs that stress critical thinking. Without these crucial life necessities provided by informal education programs, development cannot happen across the continent.

We don’t need to solve all poverty-related problems at once. If we start with a small subset of those, then we can make sure that the impact of our work is high and that we can succeed within a couple of years.

Informal education is an appropriate means of reaching out more effectively to underprivileged children

Education is a tool that provides the bearer with the necessary knowledge and skills to improve their future prospects especially in this part of the world where there are more ‘out-of-school’ and underprivileged children.

In one of our previous blog posts, we talked about education being the greatest leveler between socio-economic classes because of its unifying nature, especially when it’s beyond the four walls of a classroom.

income gap on the continent.

Unbelievable and Disturbing Facts About Education In Nigeria

1 August 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

There are so many unbelievable and worrying facts about how the educational system and sector is hitting the rock bottom and is set to go much lower if proper care is not taken with timely intervention.

Here are some facts about the education system you will find hard to believe, according to Edugist:

Authorities have limited operating resources & autonomy.

Some local governments receive nothing once teachers’ salaries have been allocated. Improving efficiency requires the decentralisation of power along with support from federal and state governments to ensure an adequate flow of resources to the poorest areas.

39% of adults cannot read or write.

This reduces their ability both to participate in the economy and to provide learning support to their children.

Conflict in Nigeria has destroyed 28% of schools in one State

Violence concentrated in the North has destroyed many schools and forced many others to close, and in some cases teachers and children have even been attacked. In Borno State, it is estimated that 15,000 children have stopped attending school as a result of the violence.

Only 2% of married adolescent girls are in school.

By comparison, 69% of unmarried girls are still in school. Those with a secondary education, on average, get married two years later than those without – which in turn has an impact on maternal health.

34% of girls are out of school in some areas.

In the same rural areas, 25% of boys are out of school – a huge disparity. The disparity is smaller in the South where rural areas have less than 4% of girls and 3% of boys out of school, and in Southern urban areas where the disparity is less than 1%.

There are 109 pupils for every satisfactory

Nigerian primary school classroom. This represents a shortfall of 523,346 primary school classrooms – 59.95% of the total needed. At the secondary level there is a shortfall of 170,64267.63% of the total needed.

No government or agency is clearly accountable for results.

Local Government is responsible for basic education-but does not have budgetary power, which is mostly at the federal level. This creates perverse incentives for the LGAs to keep enrollments down or hire less expensive and therefore unqualified teachers.

40% of primary school teachers are not qualified

The lack of teachers is particularly acute in the Northwest and Northeast, where only 50% and 53% of teachers are qualified. The Southwest has close to 100% qualified teachers.

Only 29% of students who start secondary school graduate on time at 17.

If you include up to 24 year olds to capture late starters and repeaters, then this goes up to 75% – but still a quarter of students never finish.

Almost half of students who have completed grade 6 cannot read.

In some areas, as many as 72% of grade 6 students cannot read a complete sentence. Clearly there is great need to improve the quality of schooling through improved teacher to pupil ratios, better training and resources.

About 80% of children do not have textbooks for all subjects.

About 60% of primary students do not have a mathematics or English textbook, and materials in languages other than English are scarce. Teachers are lacking books too; in many areas fewer than 15% of teachers have a teacher’s guide.

JAMB Reduces cutoff from 200 to 140

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reduced the cutoff mark for getting into the university from an average 200/400 to 140/400 to gain satisfactory admission to study a full time course in the university

July 2022

Education In Nigeria: The UNICEF Intervention

July 25, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

The Challenge

One in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria (UNICEF)

In Northern-Nigeria, the case is much worse and pathetic with an attendance rate of 53% with many of them getting out-of-school.

The Solution

The education system at federal and state levels has strengthened capacities to deliver quality basic education.
More teachers have core knowledge and competencies to use proven teaching methodologies to deliver appropriate quality education.
Parents and communities have improved knowledge and commitment to contribute to enrolling children at the right age in quality learning in safe and protective school environments.
Children in humanitarian situations have timely and sustained access to quality education services.

10 Damning & Worrying Statistics About Education in Nigeria

July 18, 2022 | 5 Min Read Time

The Nigerian Education Sector

The dysfunctionality of the Nigerian education sector is alarming. Nigeria is currently embroiled in an out-of-school-children crisis threatening the West African nation at its core. At the moment, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike since February – students are left stranded. This strike came after another lengthy strike that coincided with the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020.

From top to bottom, Nigerian education is a mess that needs cleaning up. Nigeria’s educational system suffers from a lack of infrastructure and investment, neglect, and waste of resources. It has been plunged into a deep crisis that will take massive effort to overcome. To get a sense of how bad the situation is, we decided to look at the numbers.

10 Worrying Stats About Education in Nigeria

One in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria. (UNICEF)

Nigeria has more than 11 million out-of-school children between the ages of six and fifteen years old. They represent one in twelve out-of-school kids worldwide. (World Bank)

Only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education. (UNICEF)

The states in the north-east (47.7%) and the north-west (47.3%) have a female primary net attendance rate of less than 50%, meaning that more than half the girls are not in schools. (UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS))

In north-eastern and north-western states, approximately 29% and 35% of Muslim children respectively receive Qur’anic instruction, which does not include the basics of literacy and numeracy. (UNICEF)

There is a deficit of over 230 thousand classrooms in Nigeria (Statista)

Out of the 1.1 million classrooms surveyed by Educeleb in 2019, about 315,579 were in bad condition. (Educeleb)

In 2021, Nigeria’s budgetary allocation to education for 2022 was 5.4%. UNESCO’s recommended budgetary allocation to education is 15%-26% (Various)

Approximately 51% of Nigerian children between 5-17 engage in some form of child labor. (National Bureau of Statistics)

60 million Nigerians, or 30 percent of the population, cannot read or write. (Nigeria’s ministry of education)

Improving education in Nigeria is a matter of pressing importance

Education is important to sustain and develop the people. It helps to develop human intelligence and skills necessary to create wealth and maintain a decent and democratic society. However, the state of Education in Nigeria is a cause for concern. The stats above paint a very gloomy picture. The current state affairs is one that should cause an uproar, but sadly not enough is being done to address the problem – the government continues to ignore this problem.

Nations cannot develop beyond the level of their education. With over 90 million Nigerians living in abject poverty, education is the only hope for a better tomorrow. It is a matter of pressing importance to address the problems of the Nigerian education sector. We need to put conscious effort into providing quality education for young children. We need to equip them with education to break the vicious cycle of poverty.

Education In Nigeria: Bridging The Gap

July 11, 2022 | 6 Min Read Time

Let’s understand the Nigerian education gap

What Can we do to Bridge the Nigerian Education Gap

Enactment of laws that allow for free and compulsory education for all Nigerian children: Even though primary education is supposed to be free and compulsory under the Compulsory, Free, and Universal Basic Education Act, it is only so on paper. One in every five out-of-school kids in the world is in Nigeria. There are so many out-of-school children in Nigeria, especially in the North. For the girl child, it is even worse. More than half of the female children in the northeastern and northwestern states are not in school. An enforced compulsory and free universal basic primary and junior secondary education guaranteed by the constitution is necessary to achieve poverty alleviation, gender equity, and socio-economic rights in Nigeria.

Substantial increase in the budgetary allocation to the education sector: Nigeria’s annual budget to public education is still less than 10% of the overall budget. “Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s promises at a recent international forum that allocation to education would be increased by at least 50 per cent in the next few years and by about 100 per cent by 2025, allocation to the sector in the 2022 budget estimate still fell short of stakeholders expectation as N1.29 trillion or 7.9 per cent was allocated to education out of N16.39 trillion appropriation bill presented to the National Assembly.” – Guardian. The Nigerian government needs to increase their budgetary allocation to the education sector. They should aim to follow the 26% budgetary allocation benchmark set by UNESCO for education annually.

Provision of incentives for both teachers and pupils: Providing incentives to encourage teachers and students will help bridge the education gap in Nigeria. Special salary increase for primary and secondary school teachers will be a start. Increasing the number of mandatory service years from 35 to 40 years will also incentivize teachers and education graduates. Other incentives to drive teachers include low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas and provision of loan facilities. For students, rewards for academic feats will encourage them to take their studies seriously. Also, by offering to support their secondary and tertiary tuition, students can be incentivized.

Improvement of the infrastructure in schools: The conditions of school buildings in Nigeria is appalling. It is an eyesore. Out of the 1.1 million classrooms surveyed by Educeleb in 2019, about 315,579 were in bad condition. Federal and state governments need to work hand-in-hand to improve the infrastructure of schools across Nigeria. Standard infrastructure will improve the learning conditions and comfort of students. Better infrastructure will also help overturn overcrowding and lessen teaching burdens.

Effective public-private partnership is one key to bridging the gap in the Nigerian education system: The government cannot provide education for all Nigerian children. That much is clear to see. Public-private partnerships are an innovative way of funding education to address the big, deep, and systemic problems in Nigeria’s education system. The public and private sectors should play complementary roles in developing Nigeria’s ailing education sector. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can ultimately help Nigeria achieve a brighter future by increasing its quality of education.

Improving Nigeria’s education system may be hard but it is possible

Education in Sub-Saharan slums

4 July 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

What is a slum?

A slum is defined by UN-Habitat as a household where people live together in an urban area without any of the following; durable housing of a permanent nature, sufficient living space for not more than three people to share the same room, easy accessibility to safe water in sufficient quantities at an affordable price, adequate sanitation facilities in the form of a public or private toilet shared by a reasonable amount of people, and security from eviction. A slum is usually not recognized and addressed by local authorities as an integral or equally important part of the city.

Numbers of people living in slums

According to estimates by UN agencies, approximately 200 million people lived in slums in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2010. The National Library of Medicine estimates that about 62% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s urban population resides in slums. The uncontrolled population of African urban areas has led to slums across SSA. The phenomenon has been described as the urbanisation of poverty. Urban poverty and deprivation are characterised by high levels of residential crowding, exposure of residents to environmental hazards, and poor social conditions. There is also no financial infrastructure from the government to help citizens get reasonable housing.

For children, the matter is much worse. In slums, education takes a backseat to more pertinent struggles like fetching water, a roof above one’s head, and meals for survival. Children in slums cannot access the basic services required for child development. Most kids in slums don’t go to school. Even though they still live with their family, their parents don’t have the financial means to support them financially. According to UNICEF, the youth residing in slums are some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable youth globally.

Education in slums/adopting Child-focused policies

With an estimated one billion young people living in cities today, the future of urban kids and teens is central to global development. Poor children make up a significant proportion of the urban poor population in Sub-Saharan Africa. They are usually those who are most vulnerable to the environmental conditions and social conditions of informal settlements. Adopting a child-focused educational approach to interventions in slums in sub-Saharan Africa provides an opportunity to improve the well-being of large groups of young people. Focusing on the education of children living in slums will help millions improve their lives. It gives these children the chance to overcome urban inequalities and secure safe and successful futures.

There is hope

Hope for solving the big social problems associated with urban poverty seems to be centering increasingly on educating the deprived children of the slums. Bringing sustainable change in the lives of underprivileged children and youth starts with improving access to education. Education in many African nations has been lagging behind education standards in other parts of the world for quite some time. Underinvestment, corruption, and poor policies are some of the many reasons. Things could change if we adopted more slum child-focused educational policies. It is the only way to increase social mobility and close the rapidly widening income gap on the continent.

June 2022

We Need To Listen To The Teachers

27 June 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

A doctor can’t be taught what to do by the patient, neither can society compel them on how to treat an ailment. Same with how a passenger cannot dictate a pilot’s route to them, neither can the society force policies down their throat. In Nigerian society, we have not gotten used to the fact that teachers are also professionals, just like the doctors and the pilots. Today, we will see why teachers should be included in the formation of educational policies.

Teachers are an important part of society

One can argue that teachers play the most important role in society. Apart from simply imparting wisdom and knowledge, they shape the young ones and the future. Teachers set children up to be successful citizens of the world. Good teachers are an asset that our society should hold on to dearly. Only they, can build positive and inspired generations. This is tremendous pressure, but they do it so casually, underrated by many because of how noble the profession is. Teachers act as role models to young students, opening them up to learn values like discipline, organization, punctuality, communication, and dedication.

Are the teachers being heard?

Speak to many teachers today, and they will tell you that their concerns are NOT being heard. From classroom level policies to state policies and national policies, we are not listening to our teachers. We are not listening to the people we tasked with shaping the design of society locally and internationally. We ignore the opinions of our teachers. A grave mistake! Our teachers need to be heard across all levels.

How to listen to our teachers

There are several steps school leaders and policy makers can take to hear our teachers out. Surveys and evaluations can help to acquire meaningful feedback from our teachers. Surveys can help pinpoint any concerns teachers have and help with solutions to address them. We also need to create a nexus between the teachers and parents/society so we can be more understanding of their plight. Teachers should be able to engage parents more often and work hand-in-hand towards child development. Policy makers must also try not to exclude teachers from important conversations.

In Conclusion

For proper child development, education policies must be a joint-venture between school leaders, teachers, parents and policy makers. Teachers should get a say in policy matters as they are the experts at child development. We need to recognize their voices more and take their opinions more seriously.

Formal vs Informal Education (II)

20 June 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

Formal education is a structured and systematic form of learning. It runs from primary (and in some cases nursery) school to university. Formal education includes specialized programs for vocational, technical and professional training. This form of learning is standardized and based on a curriculum – trained teachers educate pupils within the four walls of a classroom at prearranged times. There is usually an assessment of what the pupils have learnt, and it does not conform to individual needs and preferences.

“Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime.”– Laozi (老子)

Characteristics of Formal Education:

Formal learning is planned and structured. It follows a program/curriculum
Qualified teachers/expert deliver knowledge to students
It is delivered within a specific time
It is subject-oriented
Formal learning is deliberate. The teacher makes a conscious decision to impart knowledge while individuals go to schools to receive knowledge

Benefits of Formal Education

Formal learning is important to survive in today’s cutthroat society. It gives people good social reputations, jobs and has many other benefits. Formal Education is an early launchpad – it gives individuals a solid foundation to lead successful and fulfilled lives. When you complete your formal education, you get degrees and certificates that you can use to earn a living. It helps individuals build skills for a livelihood. Formal learning increases the well-being of individuals by allowing them to gain skills – both cognitive (e.g., literacy and numeracy) and noncognitive (e.g., social and organizational skills).

Formal education in schools is also an important agent of socialization. The importance of early social relationships formed in classrooms cannot be overstated. Schools help to establish that early peer relationship. Formal Education helps individuals develop critical reasoning ability. Despite the notion that man is a rational being, a formal education helps to polish one’s reasoning faculties.

Formal Education aids economic growth and development. It plays a role in societal prosperity. A country’s economy becomes more productive as the proportion of educated workers increases. The education and training of any country’s workforce determines how well the country’s economy will perform.

Education & Democracy: Examining the Relationship Between the Two Institutions

13 June 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

In honor of June 12 Democracy day in Nigeria, we examine the interconnection between education and democracy.

What is a Democracy?

Democracy is a system of government where the majority prevails. It is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. In a democracy, everything is geared towards improving things for the majority, not for a few.

Education & Democracy

The relationship between education and democracy is evident on many levels. The structure/organization of schools influences the building of the civic society. Classrooms are designed and delivered with instructions that affect the learning and practice of democracy. Classroom elements like questioning, discussions, debates, group work are upstanding pillars of democracy. Education also embraces excellent democratic values like inclusion. At higher levels, students form their own governments with clearly defined roles and separation of power. Also, in a democracy, education gets attention because it is a prerequisite for the survival and success of the former. Democratic governments need to allocate resources to education because it enriches the mind of citizens, enabling them to make rational/analytical decisions. Education has a positive effect on political engagement and participation.

What has been said?

Two quotes embody the synergy between education and democracy. The first is from American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey. “The devotion of democracy to education is a familiar fact. A government resting upon popular suffrage cannot be successful unless those who govern and obey their governors are educated.” The other is from Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist George Bernard Shaw. He said, “education is the major means to enrich the strengths and overcome the weaknesses of the people. It is also a means for the widespread diffusion of democratic values.” To go further, you can say that a democracy cannot function properly without proper education. Education provides individuals with the range to enjoy democratic values.

In conclusion

Education and democracy uphold each other. Mass education is essential for democracy. Higher levels of education produce a more active and articulate public. An educated public is more likely to hold its government accountable. Education is the great instrument of social emancipation, by which democracy establishes, maintains and protects the spirit of equality among its members.

May 2022

Informal Education: What you need to know (I)

30 May 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

In this two-part series, we will be discussing/examining the tenets of formal and informal education, starting with informal education

Informal vs formal education

Informal education is a free and natural system of learning that does not happen within the four walls of a school. It is derived from lived experiences. People learn informally from their life experiences. They can gather knowledge from friends, family, and their environment. It never stops. The difference between formal and informal education is that informal education does not have the structure and levels that formal education has. Informal education is structured from Kindergarten to university. Classes are timed and structured. In informal education, there is no timing, guideline/curriculum, and structure for gathering the knowledge. It is spontaneous and coincidental! For example, if a child watches an older sibling clean the house, they can pick up the skill required, and very soon, the younger child can assist the elder one. That is informal learning.

Is informal education as important as formal education?

No. Formal education is of utmost importance to the well-being of every individual. However, informal education cannot be dismissed so easily. They say life is the best teacher, and this is what you encounter with informal education. Learning to survive, drive, and cook. These are essential life skills that you will never acquire within a school. However, some of these skills are important down the line.

Benefits of informal education

You don’t need to learn from a teacher or someone who is an expert in a particular field. Informal knowledge can be passed on from anyone, in any way, and with no one forcing you to learn, it is not as burdensome as formal education. There is zero to little pressure. It is also free and can be done at any convenient pace.

In conclusion

Informal learning is helpful to those who are open and willing to learn. It is a spontaneous mode of learning. While it may not be considered valid learning by some, those detractors will admit that there are some things you can learn better through real-life experiences and not by sitting down to study it in a classroom.

Education: The Great Equalizer of Society

23 May 2022 | 2 Min Read Time

Education is the great equalizer. This notion traces back to Horace Mann, an influential slavery abolitionist/education reformer known for passionately promoting public education. He famously called education the “great equalizer of the conditions of men” in 1848. Economists and social scientists love to dissect this statement, and it still holds true. Education is the equalizer because it reduces the effects of economic inequality while offering social mobility. It also reduces socioeconomic disparities.

The increasing disparity in wealth between the haves and have-nots in the last three decades has caused a growing academic divide between wealthy children and everyone else. Providing disadvantaged children with free, high-quality education is one way of leveling the playing field. Giving children the chance to go to school will open up more opportunities for them in the future, allowing them to escape the vicious cycle of poverty. They will also get protection that they need to lead better lives. Schools protect children from dangerous alternatives such as child labor, child marriage and other terrible forms of abuse and exploitation. Studies have shown that increased education levels bring social rewards. There is proof that adults with higher educational achievements have better health and life spans than their less-educated peers.

Education is one of the most reliable tools by which a society can lift the lives of its less advantaged youths, who will then be able to become productive, self-reliant adults and contributing members of society. It is a handy tool that can solve class division and homogenize society.

Here at Molara Foundation, we take education seriously and we love to see students in school which is why we have opened up a number of scholarship opportunities to students who are interested in the tech space, creative arts and vocational schools. Visit our website at molarafoundation.org to apply for any of these scholarship programs.

Government’s Funding Required to Connect Ills of covid-19 on Child Education

16 May 2022 | 2 Min Read Time

The educational sector in Africa was already at a setback before the pandemic breakout. According to reports, in 2019, over 250 million children of school-going age were out of school. This means that these children are missing out on valuable learning opportunities. They miss out on the opportunities education offers them to be meaningful shareholders in society.

The covid-19 pandemic brought more problems for an already battered sector. Not only did the virus contract the economy, making people lose more money, but it also forced the closure of schools. And while we tend to focus on the economic benefits of school, we forget the health services and security that schools provide to children.

There is the risk of being left even further behind for the most marginalized children. The World Bank estimated that the cost of missing out on education is about $10 trillion in future earnings.

Counterbalancing The Effects Of The Pandemic

The only way to fight the out-of-school problem is through deliberate and targeted government financing. Government officials in Africa need to start setting funds aside to correct this dangerous occurrence. Many African countries depend on aid from foreign economies, but that investment is also shrinking. The governments have to respond. They have to commit to financing schooling. This investment is key to a productive workforce. It will also lead to future growth and development.

Financing learning has to be one of the priorities of African governments as we recover from the effects of the pandemic. Significant funding has to go into the schooling system to prevent the continent from falling further behind and having more students out of school. There is already a major backlog that needs to be addressed and more has to be done to secure the future. Governments need to allocate more public funds toward financing education, and they need to be efficient with it.

Does Formal Education Guarantee Wealth?

02 May 2022 | 2 Min Read Time

If every child learned to read, some researchers estimate that 170 million fewer people would live in poverty. It would raise the standard of living for millions of people worldwide. Any nation looking to create wealth for its present and future generations have to invest considerably in its education sector. According to Peter Mallouk, a certified financial planner and president of wealth management firm Creative Planning, “the greatest separation between you and your wealth is having an education.”

Our Blog Posts

Collaborations: Everybody Wins

August 29, 2022 | 3 mins

Collaborations are necessary for advancing society. Many important fields, such as technology, science, and politics, require it.

Advantages of Collaboration

Networking and Future Opportunities: When we collaborate, we build our network. Having a good network can help create opportunities in the future.

Innovation and Invention: Collaboration is one the most powerful mechanisms for new invention and innovation. Collaborations help bring the best out of people. It helps us solve problems and generate ideas in ways that would never have been possible if we worked alone.

Greater achievements: We are more capable as a result of collaboration. Collaborations are beneficial because they allow everyone involved to achieve more than just one person could accomplish alone.

Everybody wins when we collaborate

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Collaborations: Everybody Wins

July 18, 2022 | 5 Min Read Time

The Nigerian Education Sector

10 Worrying Stats About Education in Nigeria

One in every five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria. (UNICEF)

Nigeria has more than 11 million out-of-school children between the ages of six and fifteen years old. They represent one in twelve out-of-school kids worldwide. (World Bank)

Only 61 percent of 6-11 year-olds regularly attend primary school and only 35.6 percent of children aged 36-59 months receive early childhood education. (UNICEF)

The states in the north-east (47.7%) and the north-west (47.3%) have a female primary net attendance rate of less than 50%, meaning that more than half the girls are not in schools. (UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS))

In north-eastern and north-western states, approximately 29% and 35% of Muslim children respectively receive Qur’anic instruction, which does not include the basics of literacy and numeracy. (UNICEF)

There is a deficit of over 230 thousand classrooms in Nigeria (Statista)

Out of the 1.1 million classrooms surveyed by Educeleb in 2019, about 315,579 were in bad condition. (Educeleb)

In 2021, Nigeria’s budgetary allocation to education for 2022 was 5.4%. UNESCO’s recommended budgetary allocation to education is 15%-26% (Various)

Approximately 51% of Nigerian children between 5-17 engage in some form of child labor. (National Bureau of Statistics)

60 million Nigerians, or 30 percent of the population, cannot read or write. (Nigeria’s ministry of education)

Improving education in Nigeria is a matter of pressing importance

Education In Nigeria: Bridging The Gap

July 11, 2022 | 6 Min Read Time

Let’s understand the Nigerian education gap

What Can we do to Bridge the Nigerian Education Gap

Enactment of laws that allow for free and compulsory education for all Nigerian children: Even though primary education is supposed to be free and compulsory under the Compulsory, Free, and Universal Basic Education Act, it is only so on paper. One in every five out-of-school kids in the world is in Nigeria. There are so many out-of-school children in Nigeria, especially in the North. For the girl child, it is even worse. More than half of the female children in the northeastern and northwestern states are not in school. An enforced compulsory and free universal basic primary and junior secondary education guaranteed by the constitution is necessary to achieve poverty alleviation, gender equity, and socio-economic rights in Nigeria.

Substantial increase in the budgetary allocation to the education sector: Nigeria’s annual budget to public education is still less than 10% of the overall budget. “Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s promises at a recent international forum that allocation to education would be increased by at least 50 per cent in the next few years and by about 100 per cent by 2025, allocation to the sector in the 2022 budget estimate still fell short of stakeholders expectation as N1.29 trillion or 7.9 per cent was allocated to education out of N16.39 trillion appropriation bill presented to the National Assembly.” – Guardian. The Nigerian government needs to increase their budgetary allocation to the education sector. They should aim to follow the 26% budgetary allocation benchmark set by UNESCO for education annually.

Provision of incentives for both teachers and pupils: Providing incentives to encourage teachers and students will help bridge the education gap in Nigeria. Special salary increase for primary and secondary school teachers will be a start. Increasing the number of mandatory service years from 35 to 40 years will also incentivize teachers and education graduates. Other incentives to drive teachers include low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas and provision of loan facilities. For students, rewards for academic feats will encourage them to take their studies seriously. Also, by offering to support their secondary and tertiary tuition, students can be incentivized.

Improvement of the infrastructure in schools: The conditions of school buildings in Nigeria is appalling. It is an eyesore. Out of the 1.1 million classrooms surveyed by Educeleb in 2019, about 315,579 were in bad condition. Federal and state governments need to work hand-in-hand to improve the infrastructure of schools across Nigeria. Standard infrastructure will improve the learning conditions and comfort of students. Better infrastructure will also help overturn overcrowding and lessen teaching burdens.

Effective public-private partnership is one key to bridging the gap in the Nigerian education system: The government cannot provide education for all Nigerian children. That much is clear to see. Public-private partnerships are an innovative way of funding education to address the big, deep, and systemic problems in Nigeria’s education system. The public and private sectors should play complementary roles in developing Nigeria’s ailing education sector. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can ultimately help Nigeria achieve a brighter future by increasing its quality of education.

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Latest Update

August 21, 2023 | 3 mins

Our Blog Posts

August 2023

August 7th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The Real Huddles in Choosing A Career Path in The Nigeria Educational System: The Lack of A Career Coach

The Real Focus Should Be On You:Look Inward

Conclusion

July 2023

July 14th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

The Financial Situation of Nigerian Education at the Present

Problems and Restrictions with Current Funding Sources

Possibilities and Advantages of Sustainable Funding Methods

Conclusion

July 4th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

May 2023

May 15th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

April 2023

April 24th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

April 17th, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

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March 2023

March 20, 2023 | 3 Min Read Time

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February 2023

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January 2023

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December 2022

December 1, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

November 2022

November 18, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

November 11, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

November 1, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

What Can we do to Bridge the Nigerian Education Gap

Improving Nigeria’s education system may be hard but it is possible

October 2022

October 14, 2022 | 6 Min Read Time

What Can we do to Bridge the Nigerian Education Gap

Improving Nigeria’s education system may be hard but it is possible

September 2022

September 12, 2022 | 4 mins

September 12, 2022 | 4 mins

August 2022

August 29, 2022 | 3 mins

Advantages of Collaboration

Everybody wins when we collaborate

August 22, 2022 | 5 Min Read Time

August 14, 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

8 August 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

What is a slum?

1 August 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has reduced the cutoff mark for getting into the university from an average 200/400 to 140/400 to gain satisfactory admission to study a full time course in the university

July 2022

July 25, 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

July 18, 2022 | 5 Min Read Time

10 Worrying Stats About Education in Nigeria

July 11, 2022 | 6 Min Read Time

4 July 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

What is a slum?

Numbers of people living in slums

Education in slums/adopting Child-focused policies

There is hope

June 2022

27 June 2022 | 4 Min Read Time

Teachers are an important part of society

Are the teachers being heard?

How to listen to our teachers

In Conclusion

20 June 2022 | 3 Min Read Time

Characteristics of Formal Education: