Emmanuel Iornumbe
Department of Educational Foundations and Management,
College of Education,
Katsina-Ala, Benue State.
e-mail: [email protected]
Paul O. Tyozua
Department of Early Childcare Education,
College of Education,
Katsina-Ala, Benue State.
e-mail: [email protected]
Joseph T. Eev
Department of History,
College of Education,
Katsina-Ala, Benue State.
e-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
In Nigeria, the introduction of Universal Basic Education is meant to reduce the problem of illiteracy, ignorance and poverty to the barest level, a goal it shares with the goals of the World Conference on Education for All. It is meant to aid rapid national economic and political development. Its implementation has become a major challenge; hence its success has been marginal across the country. Among the factors identified as hindering its success are lack of political will on the part of government, absence of strategic planning, inaccurate data, politicization of the programme and improper funding. The paper examines the political will and implementation of quality basic education in Nigeria. Despite the role of government which is aimed at educational development, the quality of basic education is very low in Nigeria. The paper relied on the survey research design conducted with the teachers of basic education in
Nigeria; 500 questionnaires were distributed and only 378 were returned. Secondary data such as textbooks, journals, newspapers and government publications were also used. The findings revealed inherent institutional constraints as the key issues to educational development such as lack of commitment of government, inadequate funding and poor coordination, leading to cases such as terrorist groups (Boko Haram), armed robbery, prostitution, militancy, kidnappings and bomb blast. The paper recommends increased commitment of both Federal, State and Local Government, proper accountability, public private partnership and ensuring the rule of law as a way of improving performance of the institution.
Keywords: Leadership will, Basic education.