University Don tasks FG on proper implementation of Nigeria’s education policy

By Steve Oni, Ilorin

A University Lecturer, Dr. Shuaib Mohammed Bolakale, has advocated the need to implement Nigeria’s education policy towards restoring the lost glory of the sector.

Dr. Bolakale of the Department of Counselor Education, Universty of Ilorin, who spoke through Mr. Ahmed Ayuba Olawale of the same department, said this while speaking at a programme organised by a Non Governmental Organisation,
Saliu Mustapha Foundation, in collaboration with Ameliorate International Initiatives to mark this year’s International Youth Day with the theme: Transforming Education for sustainable development.

Speaking on the sub theme: Education for sustainable happiness and wellbeing: The roles of school counsellors, he adduced the problems in schools, the education sector, as well as unemployment and insecurity in the society to the neglect of the roles of counsellors in schools, pointing out that instead of allowing them to work in schools they were allotted courses to teach.

Stressing the need to employ adequate counsellors in schools and establishment of counselling centres that would be well equipped with modern facilities to meet the contemporary societal challenges, Dr. Bolakale noted that the country has fine and good educational policies but poorly implemented, and therefore implored the government to work towards ensuring the proper implementation of the policies.

Also speaking at the programme, the Project Manager, Saliu Mustapha Foundation and Convener, Ameliorate International Initiatives, Mr. Ahmed Yakub Ishowo, said the programme was organised to identify challenges facing Nigerian youths and proffer solutions to them by bringing policy makers, students, teachers and other critical stakeholders together to discuss and come out with viable solutions to have an improved education system.

Mr. Ishowo noted that about three hundred participants, including corps members, teachers, and students participated in the programme, adding that the two Organisations would partner with the Kwara State Government towards providing solutions to some of the problems identified and recommendations made, especially, on teachers training and improving reading culture.

Participants at the programme commended the two Non Governmental Organisations for organising the programme, appealing to government to fix rot in the education sector and ensure that qualified teachers were employed and allotted the right subjects to teach.