Beyond the Rhetoric of Educational Policy in Nigeria: Understanding the State Actors Neglect on Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Different educational policies established in Africa as well as the Nigerian 2013 National Policy on Education (NPE) as revised has clearly shown that education is the key to human life. As such, it should be given to every citizens of the country especially those in the lower basic classes. Contrary to this statement, Nigerian governments in the first phase of easing the lockdown have failed to incorporate the policy blue print in its words, deeds and actions. This neglect manifested in the lifting of bans on church closures, inter-state movements, operation of other non essential businesses at the expense of education in the country. This is a cross-sectional study aimed at examining the State actors’ neglect on education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed that Nigerian governments at different levels (national and sub-national) treat education with disparity, contempt, and levity. Unnecessary value placed on frivolities was observed as a factor militating against education in the country. Received: 2 January 2021 / Accepted: 14 April 2021 / Published: 17 May 2021

INDIAN NATIONAL POLICY ON EDUCATION 2020

The Education system has always been a fundamental part of the economic development of any country. It is utilised to equip individuals to face the future with the skills to achieve their full potential. Within India, the focus of education has been to improve the literacy rate of individuals within the country and promote economic growth within an equitable, just society. The increase of globalisation has enabled the establishment of new policies and strategies to drive educational reforms. The government of India aim to ensure every individual has access to education, paving the way to a sustainable future. This has been illustrated through Prime Minister Narender Modi’s decision to rename the Ministry of Human Resources and Development to the Ministry of Education accompanied by a new policy the ‘National Education Policy 2020’ (NEP 2020), illustrating commitment to the education system within India.

Adult Learning Principles a Strategy for Improving Instructional Delivery in Higher Institutions of Learning in Nigeria

This paper argues that an andragogical approach to teaching and learning in higher education in Nigeria has become necessary if the goals prescribed by the National Policy on Education as regards tertiary education are to be achieved. Going by the current practice in some tertiary education institutions, students are seen as passive learners and teachers as “masters” of all knowledge. This posture naturally promotes 'banking learning' which views learners as banks within whom knowledge is deposited to be withdrawn at a later date. Since an approach such as this is inimical to the achievement of the goals of tertiary education in Nigeria, the paper advocates for the adoption of adult learning principles by teachers of higher institution of learning. Adult learning principle which is based on andragogy theory propounded by Malcolm Knowles sees learners as autonomous and self-directed; experienced; goal-oriented; relevancy-oriented; practical-oriented individuals. The paper ends by giving selective examples of how adult learning principles may be applied to higher education teaching to achieve the goals enunciated within the Nigeria National Policy on Education.

Indian Higher Education from the Lens of National Policy of Education (1986) and National Policy on Education (2016): A Comparative Study

<p>Higher education is considered as the part and parcel of education system. The Indian higher education system is getting better day by day. The Government of India while realizing the needs of today’s generations brought NPE 1986. To enhance the functioning of higher education, recommendation was given. Many recommendations were implemented but some areas were left behind. To fill this gape, the GOI again in 2016 brought another policy of education. The policy paid special importance to the areas where the previous policy was lacking. The policy gave much attention towards the areas where it was felt that a change is necessary. But many areas where emphasis was necessary were not mentioned. The paper analyses the recommendation of NPE 1986 and 2016 in the field of higher education. It makes a comparative study of the recommendations in various aspects of higher education.</p>

Indian Higher Education from the Lens of National Policy of Education (1986) and National Policy on Education (2016): A Comparative Study

<p>Higher education is considered as the part and parcel of education system. The Indian higher education system is getting better day by day. The Government of India while realizing the needs of today’s generations brought NPE 1986. To enhance the functioning of higher education, recommendation was given. Many recommendations were implemented but some areas were left behind. To fill this gape, the GOI again in 2016 brought another policy of education. The policy paid special importance to the areas where the previous policy was lacking. The policy gave much attention towards the areas where it was felt that a change is necessary. But many areas where emphasis was necessary were not mentioned. The paper analyses the recommendation of NPE 1986 and 2016 in the field of higher education. It makes a comparative study of the recommendations in various aspects of higher education.</p>

Language policy and planning in Nigeria

Language planning and policy has been a recurring topic among Nigerian educators. Although the Nigerian National Policy on Education stipulates multilingual education, such provision has remained an object of criticism, rejection, and is therefore not implemented. While some of the issues often raised as hindering its implementation are well-founded, there is also a lack of political will to champion the course of language planning and policy implementation. Meanwhile the government’s intention has been to make the policy receive public acceptance; yet, it has failed to address some of the recurring problems that hinder the achievement of such goal, to the detriment of both the educational and public sectors. This article looks at the dynamics of language planning and policy in Nigeria and why the government must match her rhetoric with action by paying attention to the major issues that hinder the realisation of multilingual education in the country to enhance development.

Institutionalised Ethical Issues In Nigeria’s Tertiary Education: An Inquiry In Relation To Normative Quality

Tertiary education in Nigeria has been facing challenges of quality that become a serious concern to the entire citizens particularly stakeholders for that it is the tool relied upon for growth and development of the country. This study aimed at exploring institutionalised ethical issues in Nigeria’s tertiary education system and inductively speculate whether they are capable of posing a threat to the expected quality for effectiveness. Qualitative method of research was employed in the study using interview protocol to 18 participants drawn purposively from regulatory agencies of the tertiary institutions by their categories, other governmental agencies that make policies and or have necessary stake in tertiary education, and a randomly selected tertiary institution each from the four broad categories. After applying thematic techniques of analysis from the raw interview data collected, themes were identified that confirmed existence of ethical issues condensed in mutilated funding, corruption, autonomy factor, institutionalisation of tertiary education, politicisation and marketisation in the tertiary education sector. Presence of the institutionalised ethical issues raised is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders, and consequential resistance is seemingly difficult. It is therefore concluded that by their strength, the issues are capable of weakening the normative quality of Nigeria’s tertiary education as defined by the National Policy on Education (NPE), hence the need for a realistic improvement.

Prospects and Problems of Language Policy

Indigenous languages in Nigeria have been relegated to the background at the expense of foreign languages. Official language policies have variously been enunciated in documents such as the National Policy on Education. Yet, there are problems facing indigenous language is Nigeria. This study examined prospects and problems of language policy to indigenous languages in Nigeria. Scholars and researchers were of the opinion that indigenous languages in Nigeria should incorporate socio-cultural activities. Problems facing the growth and development of indigenous languages were identified and prospects and possible solutions to the identified problems were proffered. It was therefore concluded that despite Nigeria is a multilingual society, there are few multilingual speakers of indigenous languages. It was however recommended that indigenous languages should be developed in order to enhance socio-cultural integration.

Confronting The Challenges Encountered By Primary School Teachers In The Use Of Technological Devices For Teaching

The paper examined the objectives of primary education in Nigeria as stated in the National Policy on Education. These objectives are seen to be achievable only through the instrumentally of the teachers who are the primary implementers of the curriculum. Furthermore, who a teacher is was also critically examined. In addition, the paper advanced some inevitable qualities of a 21st century teacher, without which the teacher will become a misfit in the classroom. These include having a sound knowledge (mastery) of the his/her subject-matter, being properly trained to teach, openness to innovation, being an in-co-parentis, resourcefulness and being computerate. The importance of the application or integration of technologies in the 21st century was also indicated. The climax of the content of the paper was the challenges facing primary school teachers, especially those in the rural areas. The challenges facing Primary School teachers as advanced include ignorance, technophobia, incomputeracy among others. Finally, recommendations on how to confront these challenges were advanced. Some of which are that teachers should wake up to the challenges of the 21st century by making sure that they get trained, the government should also make provision for teachers to get trained and be retrained, teachers should be given certain incentives to encourage them among others