Education: A Mirror of Society

Another Mass Failure? What WAEC Results Reveal About Nigerian Education

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<div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="isSelectedEnd">No one bothers anymore to say, “Not again!”</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">The time has passed when stakeholders spilled ink lamenting mass failure in national examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by WAEC and the Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by NECO.</p><p>Year after year, fewer people seem to pay attention to the news because mass failure has almost become an annual routine. Our minds have gradually adapted to it, and many parents and guardians now believe they know their way around the problem.</p></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="isSelectedEnd">While children from poor families struggle, some wealthy parents know where to find so-called “special examination centres” and how much to pay. In some of these centres, candidates are promised good results, and they don't have to sit for the examination. They are assured of obtaining at least five credits, including Mathematics and English Language, through organised examination malpractice.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">As a result, some unemployed youths and corrupt examination agents make a living from what has become an examination-malpractice industry. To them, it may appear better than defrauding or robbing people directly.</p><p>The illegal business can involve different participants, including dishonest cybercafé operators, school proprietors, supervisors, invigilators, agents and parents. Almost everyone involved receives a share of the proceeds—except the students, whose education and character suffer in the long run.</p></div>
<h2>WAEC Performance and Withheld Results, 2010–2014</h2><h4 style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-weight: 400;">The assertion that, there is an increasing level of malpractices in national examination is well supported by data as shown in the table below.</div><div style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><table><tbody><tr><th>Year</th><th>Candidates with Five Credits, Including English and Mathematics</th><th>Results Withheld</th></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>24.94%</td><td><span>    </span>5.70%</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>30.91%</td><td><span>    </span>5.29%</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>38.81%</td><td><span>    </span>6.73%</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>36.57%</td><td><span>    </span>6.75%</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span><span>    </span>31.28%</td><td><span>    </span>8.61%</td></tr></tbody></table></h4>
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<p class="isSelectedEnd">In 2014, 529,425 of the 1,692,435 candidates who sat the examination obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. WAEC also withheld the results of 145,795 candidates, representing 8.61 per cent, over suspected examination malpractice.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Over the five-year period, the percentage of withheld results rose from 5.70 per cent in 2010 to 8.61 per cent in 2014. Meanwhile, the percentage of candidates obtaining the required five credits rose and fell, reaching its highest point of 38.81 per cent in 2012 before falling to 31.28 per cent in 2014.<br /></span><br />The number of results withheld itself is only indicative of malpractices rate and not an exact picture of what transpire in numerous examination centres scattered across the country. Some cases of  malpractices goes unnoticed, ignored or un-penalized. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Likewise, t<span style="text-align: left;">he average pass rate during the five years was approximately 32.5 per cent. This meant that fewer than one in three candidates, on average, obtained five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.</span></div><p>The result was worrying and raised serious questions about the quality of teaching, learning conditions, school supervision, student preparation and the integrity of the examination process.</p>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>More Schools, but Has the Standard Improved?</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">Almost every academic session, new schools are established, often by private individuals. However, the growing number of schools has not always resulted in a corresponding improvement in educational standards.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">In some private schools, profit comes before quality. Some school owners are more concerned about attracting large numbers of students and producing impressive examination results than providing qualified teachers, adequate laboratories, libraries and proper academic supervision.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Government schools also face serious problems.</p><p>In many cases, the government appears to have reduced its role to paying staff salaries and providing only a few basic needs. Classrooms remain overcrowded, instructional materials are inadequate, laboratories are poorly equipped and teachers are not always given the training and motivation required to perform effectively.</p></div>
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<p class="isSelectedEnd">Several observers trace the decline in Nigeria’s education system to the economic difficulties of the 1980s, particularly the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme. Reduced public spending and declining living standards affected education, as they affected many other sectors.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Although there have been periods when increased oil revenue could have supported major infrastructural and human development in education, the opportunity was not always properly used.</p><p>The prolonged strikes by workers across different levels of the education system have also reflected dissatisfaction with funding, working conditions and government policies.</p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><h2>Original Outlook for 2015</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">At the time this article was first written, Nigeria was once again facing economic difficulties and a possible change of government. It seemed unlikely that much would change in 2015.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">The concern was that unless the government lived up to its responsibilities through targeted policies, adequate funding and proper implementation, no amount of spilled ink would reverse the downward trend in the education sector.</p><p>That concern remains relevant, although later examination results show that the situation has not followed a simple, continuous downward movement.<br /><br /></p><h2>Update: July 2026</h2><p class="isSelectedEnd">WAEC performance improved considerably in several years after 2014.</p><p>In the 2024 WASSCE for school candidates, 72.12 per cent of candidates obtained at least five credits, including English Language and Mathematics. WAEC initially withheld 215,267 results, representing 11.92 per cent of the candidates, over reported cases of suspected examination malpractice.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Nevertheless, examination malpractice remains a serious concern. The presence of withheld results, special centres, collusion, impersonation and the use of mobile devices during examinations shows that the struggle for credible assessment is not over.</p><p>A high pass rate does not automatically prove that educational standards have improved.</p><p class="isSelectedEnd">Nigeria therefore needs more than higher examination pass rates. It needs properly funded schools, qualified and motivated teachers, responsible parents, honest school administrators, effective supervision and a society that values learning more than certificates.</p><p>Until these responsibilities are taken seriously, the annual argument over mass failure will continue—and another disturbing result will always be waiting around the corner.</p></div>
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Another Mass Failure? What WAEC Results Reveal About Nigerian Education

No one bothers anymore to say, “Not again!” The time has passed when stakeholders spilled ink lamenting mass failure in national examinatio...

ANOTHER ASUP STRIKE LOOMS

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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have announced intent to paralyze academic activities should the Federal Government of Nigeria fail by Wednesday 25th, to implement agreements it signed with the union more than four years ago.</div>
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Members of the union had in 2013 embark on an indefinite strike action that paralyze academic activities in Federal polytechnics, demanding the Federal government to honour agreements it signed with the union. The union later suspend its almost a year long strike action in 2014 after fresh promises were made by the government to meet the union's demands.</div>
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The union has however, reiterated that none of the items on their list of demands have been satisfied. </div>
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Among the union's demanding are, that Needs Assessment Committee be set up to establish areas of infrastructural interventions in polytechnics, constitution of Governing Councils for polytechnics and establishment of National Polytechnic Commission as its obtainable for universities, improvement in salary structure and an end to the discrimination of polytechnic graduates in the labour market. </div>
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UPDATED</h3>
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The union on Tuesday 25th announced it has reverse its decision to down tools in protest of non implementation of agreement signed with the government, the annoncement was made after a meeting with the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau and House of Representatives Committee Members on Education, according to the union, the outcome of the meeting was fruitful and the union is thus shelving its planned strike actions.</div>
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The union said, it received assurance from the Mr Shekarau that all their demands will be looked into, also the lawmakers promised to expedite action on the union's demand, including passing into law a bill establishing a National Polytechnic Commission.</div>
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The union has advised its members to continue to discharge their lawful duty while its leadership pursue dialogue to resolve outstanding issues with the government.</div>
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ANOTHER ASUP STRIKE LOOMS

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have announced intent to paralyze academic activities should the Federal Government of Nigeria fa...

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" title="Free book image" width="400" /> </div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Information is free but sourcing it can sometimes be frustrating. As more and more publishers embrace digital publishing, the cost and accessibility have mostly been positively affected. <br />
But most importantly, more and more publishers are making their books available at no charge to the public - quite revolutionary. <br />
Below are some carefully selected sites where books can be read or downloaded at no cost - free of charge ! <br />
So, get downloading ...</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/">OPEN TEXTBOOK LIBRARY</a> </h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
has textbooks on subject areas as computer science, accounting and finance, economics, education, law, mathematics and statistics, natural science and social science. The books are downloadable in PDF format, which you can read on your device. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/books/">NCBI BOOKSHELF</a> </h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The site is an arm of a large website and database - National Centre for Biotechnology Information - with a collection of (strictly) biomedical books which includes, biochemistry, cell biology, cancer, microbiology, genetics and molecular biology. Books are available as downloadable, online version only or as "browse only" access. For browse only books, users can only access content of the books via a search engine. As example, if I need to read DNA replication mechanism from a book on NCBI, I would simply type "DNA replication NCBI books" into a search box of search engine as <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a>, the search results should includes books on NCBI containing information on DNA replication, which should direct user to the appropriate content. <br />
Books can be searched for in a similar way, just by including "NCBI books" next to the book title or author's name. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.bookboon.com/">BOOKBOON</a></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bookboon is a great site to download unlimited number of books. The site's books collection ranges from science, art, business, to personal development books. <br />
Visit the site, select a book category as "mathematics and statistics " and you will be downloading books within seconds and at no cost. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">

</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/category">PROJECT GUTENBERG</a> </h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <i>First producers of free eBooks </i>has a great collections of classical books on many subjects and topics free for download. <br />
Its easy, select a book category and you are on the way to start downloading books. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.bookzz.org/">BOOKZZ</a></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Is a large book directory and they are free for download. The site is also user friendly, simply search for a book by title and start downloading at will. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.onlineprogrammingbooks.com/">ONLINE PROGRAMMING BOOKS</a></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Has volume of free eBooks relating to programming, computer science, software engineering, web design, AI, computer hardware, graphics e.t.c. just everything IT and computer. Select from a category of books and you can have a device full of books. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.ebooksgo.org/">FREE EBOOKS LIBRARY</a> </h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Has books on many subjects that includes basic science as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and also astronomy, economics, religion, computer science and lots more. Books are available under the Creative Common License and can be downloaded as PDF file.</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.planetebook.com/">PLANET EBOOKS</a> </h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you love reading classic novels and books, then, this is a site of choice. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.bookstacks.org/">BOOK STACKS</a></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Has collection of classical writings and books from renown authors like Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Plato and Niccolo Machiavelli among others. Books are available for free download in PDF format. </div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.free-ebooks.net/">FREE EBOOKS</a></h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Free eBooks has lots of books for free download, though free account is limited to five(5) download per month. So select carefully the book choice to download and maximize the benefits of free download. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, to be updated...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Related Post</b>:</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.akomst.blogspot.com/2014/12/%20massive-open-online-courses-moo%20c.html?m=1">MOOC learning on the web and earning a certificate for free</a></h4>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>You may also like to read</b> </div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.akomst.blogspot.com/2014/02/free-rice-free-education.html?m=1">Feed and educate and child at no cost to you. United Nation Charity</a></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.akomst.blogspot.com/2014/05/%20english-for-scammers_1.html?m=1">English for Nigerian scammers</a> </h4>
</div>

TOP SITES TO DOWNLOAD FREE BOOKS

Information is free but sourcing it can sometimes be frustrating. As more and more publishers embrace digital publishing, the cost ...

THE QUEST TO FIND PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S PhD THESIS

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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Among president Jonathan's quoted academic qualification is a PhD degree in zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. According to his profile, he also obtain his first degree (B.Sc. in zoology) and second degree (M.Sc. in hydrobiology) from the same university. His PhD qualification however, has long been questioned as no thesis or publications could be traced to his name. <br />
<br />
Thesis is a must for most degree before the award of a certificate, but till date, none could be trace to his name, either on shelf or in a reputable journal publication platform. The president has however, continues to title himself a Doctor(PhD). <br />
<br />
So, does president Jonathan possesses a doctoral degree ?. An organization; Institute of Human Right and Humanitarian Law, has embark on a quest to answer this question. Under the Freedom Of Information (F.O.I) Act, the organization has written to authority of University of Port Harcourt to provide details of Mr. Jonathan's doctoral qualifications. The organization prays the university to provide document/information on the following :</div>
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<br /></div>
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1. The title of the president’s<br />
   
doctorate dissertation</div>
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<br /></div>
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2. Year of registration as a<br />
   
doctorate candidate</div>
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3. Name of his doctorate</div>
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supervisor(s)</div>
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<br /></div>
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4. Name of his external<br />
   
examiner(s)</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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5. Comments/ reports of the<br />
   
external examiners on the<br />
   
dissertation/thesis</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
6. Photocopy of the dissertation/<br />
   
thesis and</div>
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7. Date of graduation from the<br />
    university</div>
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The organization also said its willing to incur charges that may relate to making photocopies and postage cost if the university provide it with its account numbers. <br />
The organization's quest may not be unrelated to the recent controversy generated about the academic qualification and eligibility of the opposition's All Progressive Congress (A.P.C) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari to contest in the upcoming presidential election. The General is currently facing multiple law suits seeking his disqualification from the race on issues surrounding his secondary school certificate. <br />
<br />
Mr. Jonathan may however, face similar suits on the ground of perjury should it be discovered that he does not possesses the academic qualification to which he had laid claims to. <br />
Under the FOI act, the university has seven days on receiving the notice to reply with the requested information or face court charges. <br />
<br />
So, the waits begin...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="FOI, JONATHAN PHD THESIS" border="0" loading="lazy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3c6tZzC0nOr-0agNjJuGHGS7ifsiUtS4ZweJXqTHasGQe9tMKzslrKATkwfPg1zkdjayB7lRe4WYgSMqDns07l7_fqsUO4nz4fV0eyj6X3eusTZaIYvJmqwbcM0SmGwWgKu87402hao/s640/1423057060_2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="FOI president jonathan PhD request" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3c6tZzC0nOr-0agNjJuGHGS7ifsiUtS4ZweJXqTHasGQe9tMKzslrKATkwfPg1zkdjayB7lRe4WYgSMqDns07l7_fqsUO4nz4fV0eyj6X3eusTZaIYvJmqwbcM0SmGwWgKu87402hao/s1600/1423057060_2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">  </a> </div>
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THE QUEST TO FIND PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S PhD THESIS

Among president Jonathan's quoted academic qualification is a PhD degree in zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. According to...

BUHARI CERTIFICATE CONTROVERSY LAID TO REST ?

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The certificate controversy surrounding the eligibility of the leading presidential candidate of All Progressive Congress (A.P.C) may soon be laid to rest following the release of academic credential of the candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), by authority of his former school.</div>
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 <img alt="Muhammadu Buhari, APC presidential candidate" class="attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image" height="270" loading="lazy" src="http://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2014/09/604x270xbuhari-604x270.jpg.pagespeed.ic.HdFZAOOoBn.jpg" title="Muhammadu Buhari" width="604" /></div>
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Authority of Government College, formerly Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, made copies of the statement of result available to newsmen on January 21, on the request of the General. The result statement which appeared to have been extracted from an original transcript from 1961 West Africa School Certificate Examination Result Slip for several candidates also confirm claims by Buhari that he had sat for the exams along some other prominent Nigerians, including the former President of Court of Appeal, Umar Abdullahi.</div>
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Eligibility of the General to contest for the office of the presidency had earlier been questioned by rival candidates following submission of an affidavit to the electoral body, INEC, wherein, he claimed, his academic records and certificates are in the possession the Nigerian Military Secretary, a claim later denied by the military authority.</div>
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The academic record can be found here by <a href="http://media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2015/01/buhari-Statement-of-Result.pdf" target="_blank">PREMIUM TIMES as a PDF file</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://akomst.blogspot.com/2015/01/pdp-manifesto-on-education-so-far-so.html" target="_blank">PDP Manifesto on Education : So Far So Poor </a></h4>
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<a href="http://www.akomst.blogspot.com/2014/02/free-rice-free-education.html?m=1" target="_blank">How You Can Feed and Educate A Child At No Cost To Your Pocket. United Nation Charity </a></h4>
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BUHARI CERTIFICATE CONTROVERSY LAID TO REST ?

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PDP Manifesto on Education: Promises, Progress and Poor Performance

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<div style="text-align: justify;"><p>A basic litmus test for judging the performance of any government or political party is its achievement in the education sector.</p><p>Education lays the foundation for the development of every other sector of a nation. Achievements in education should, therefore, be among the most important milestones of any government.</p><p>The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) produced the presidents who governed Nigeria continuously from 1999 to 2015. However, by the end of that period, the education sector was still struggling with many of the problems inherited from the era of military rule. The party lost the presidency in the 2015 general election after 16 years in power.</p><p>Education policies were often unstable, strike actions were frequent, and funding remained a major problem. In summary, the education sector did not improve as much as Nigerians had expected after the country returned to democratic government.</p><p>The consequences could be seen across society in rising unemployment, crime, violence and the slow pace of scientific and technological development.</p><p>The PDP’s manifesto on education is reproduced below as a reference for assessing the party’s performance.</p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Editorial note:</strong> This is the version of the education and science and technology sections available when this article was originally written. Later editions of the PDP manifesto used revised wording and targets. An INEC-hosted edition similarly promises free and compulsory basic education, improved access, better quality and increased enrolment.</span></p></blockquote><h2>PDP Objectives for Education</h2><p>The manifesto described education as an important social instrument for promoting national unity among Nigeria’s diverse peoples.</p><p>It stated that a PDP government would:</p><ol><li><p>ensure that the educational system was improved;</p></li><li><p>ultimately provide free and functional education at all levels;</p></li><li><p>integrate political and civic education into the formal education system, with emphasis on the Constitution, the state and democratic principles;</p></li><li><p>foster and expand education at all levels and in all fields of knowledge; and</p></li><li><p>encourage private and voluntary organisations to establish schools, subject to compliance with government policies.</p></li></ol><h2>Proposed Strategies for Education</h2><p>The PDP promised to pursue the following strategies:</p><ol><li><p>Promote pre-primary education by encouraging the establishment of private nursery schools so that every Nigerian child would have an opportunity to begin education at the nursery level.</p></li><li><p>Provide:</p><ul><li><p>free and compulsory primary education;</p></li><li><p>free and compulsory junior secondary education; and</p></li><li><p>free and qualitative senior secondary education.</p></li></ul></li><li><p>Expand the Unity School system as a model and an instrument for promoting national unity.</p></li><li><p>Encourage greater involvement of private individuals and organisations in the delivery of educational services, subject to government regulation.</p></li><li><p>Establish adult and continuing education centres to promote mass literacy among Nigerians.</p></li><li><p>Provide technical educational institutions with well-equipped workshops and adequate numbers of properly trained teachers.</p></li><li><p>Encourage the establishment of private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, subject to government regulation.</p></li><li><p>Provide adequate funding for university education.</p></li><li><p>Improve the social and economic status of teachers and other education personnel through better conditions of service.</p></li><li><p>Provide free university education for students studying science, technology and medicine.</p></li><li><p>Provide Federal Government scholarships based on merit.</p></li><li><p>Provide libraries, laboratories and workshop facilities in schools and colleges.</p></li><li><p>Encourage universities to establish and operate consultancy units.</p></li><li><p>Guarantee academic freedom within the university system.</p></li><li><p>Encourage entrepreneurs to provide affordable hostel accommodation for university students.</p></li><li><p>Train more teachers and enforce the requirement that the Nigeria Certificate in Education should be the minimum qualification for primary school teachers.</p></li><li><p>Provide special educational facilities for the children of nomads.</p></li><li><p>Provide adequate facilities and trained personnel for learners with disabilities.</p></li></ol><h2>PDP Objectives for Science and Technology</h2><p>The manifesto also promised to:</p><ol><li><p>provide an adequate industrial base for rapid technological development and promote scientific and technological literacy among Nigerians;</p></li><li><p>encourage the acquisition, adoption, use and appreciation of scientific and technological inventions and methods in everyday life; and</p></li><li><p>promote appropriate technologies required for sustainable development.</p></li></ol><h2>Proposed Science and Technology Strategies</h2><p>The party promised to:</p><ol><li><p>provide facilities and create an environment suitable for promoting scientific and technological literacy;</p></li><li><p>encourage scientific and technological research institutions to develop simple tools and industrial equipment from locally available raw materials;</p></li><li><p>promote an enquiring and inventive spirit at every level of the education system;</p></li><li><p>encourage the development of a scientific and technological culture among Nigerians; and</p></li><li><p>accelerate the completion of iron, steel, gas and petrochemical plants under construction in the country.</p></li></ol><h2>How Well Were the Promises Fulfilled?</h2><p>The manifesto contained many attractive promises. However, a manifesto should not be judged by the beauty of its language. It should be judged by the extent to which its promises are translated into measurable improvements.</p><p>A fair assessment must also recognise that the Federal Government does not control every aspect of education. State and local governments, school proprietors, regulatory agencies, teachers, parents and communities all have important responsibilities.</p><p>Nevertheless, the party that controlled the Federal Government for 16 years had sufficient time and authority to provide national direction, strengthen institutions and demonstrate what was possible.</p><h2>Expansion of Access to Education</h2><p>The PDP administrations recorded some achievements in expanding access.</p><p>The Universal Basic Education Programme was introduced in 1999 to provide greater access to basic education. The Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act was subsequently enacted in 2004.</p><p>The National Open University of Nigeria was revived in 2002, giving more people an opportunity to obtain university education through open and distance learning.</p><p>There was also a considerable expansion in the number of public and private universities. By May 2015, the National Universities Commission reported that Nigeria had 61 approved private universities. Several new federal universities were also established during the later years of the PDP administration.</p><p>The establishment of more institutions created additional admission opportunities. It also partly fulfilled the manifesto’s promise to encourage private participation in education.</p><p>However, an increase in the number of schools and universities did not automatically produce an equal improvement in quality.</p><p>Many institutions struggled with inadequate facilities, overcrowded classrooms, shortages of qualified personnel and limited research funding. Access expanded, but the quality and affordability of the education available remained uneven.</p><h2>Free and Functional Education</h2><p>The promise to provide free and functional education at all levels was not fully achieved.</p><p>Although basic education was declared free and compulsory, many families continued to pay for uniforms, books, transportation, examinations, levies and other school-related expenses.</p><p>The existence of a policy did not always mean that it was properly implemented. Millions of children remained outside formal schooling, particularly in poorer communities and parts of northern Nigeria.</p><p>The promise of free university education for all students of science, technology and medicine was also not fulfilled as a nationwide policy.</p><p>Tuition might have remained officially low or absent in some federal institutions, but students and their families still paid various charges and carried much of the cost of accommodation, books, transport and daily living.</p><h2>Funding and Industrial Disputes</h2><p>Adequate funding was one of the central promises in the manifesto, but it remained one of the most persistent sources of disagreement between the government and education workers.</p><p>Public universities experienced repeated strike actions over funding, university autonomy, staff welfare and the implementation of agreements between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.</p><p>Industrial action did not begin under the PDP, but it continued repeatedly during the party’s years in government. Research covering the democratic period shows that university strikes consumed a substantial number of academic days and repeatedly disrupted students’ programmes.</p><p>The long university strike of 2013 was a particularly strong indication that the relationship between the government and university workers had not improved sufficiently.</p><p>The restructuring of the Education Trust Fund into the Tertiary Education Trust Fund under the TETFund Act of 2011 was an important intervention. TETFund provided supplementary funding for infrastructure, research, staff development and libraries in public tertiary institutions.</p><p>However, supplementary intervention could not completely replace proper and consistent government funding.</p><h2>Teachers and Learning Conditions</h2><p>The manifesto promised to improve the social and economic position of education personnel and to train more teachers.</p><p>Some efforts were made through teacher-training programmes and the enforcement of the Nigeria Certificate in Education as the minimum teaching qualification at the basic-education level.</p><p>Nevertheless, many teachers continued to work in difficult conditions. Problems included irregular salaries in some states, limited opportunities for professional development, overcrowded classrooms and shortages of teaching materials.</p><p>The promise to provide libraries, laboratories and workshops in all schools and colleges was far from being achieved. Many public schools lacked basic facilities, while some institutions had laboratories that were poorly equipped or no longer functional.</p><h2>Science and Technology</h2><p>The manifesto recognised that national development required scientific literacy, research, innovation and industrial growth.</p><p>However, Nigeria’s scientific and technological development remained slow. Universities and research institutes produced valuable studies, but weak links between research, industry and government limited the practical application of many findings.</p><p>Major industrial projects, including the steel sector, did not develop as expected. Nigeria continued to depend heavily on imported equipment, manufactured goods and technologies.</p><p>The country produced many graduates in science and engineering, but it did not create enough research opportunities, industries or jobs in which their skills could be fully applied.</p><h2>Overall Assessment</h2><p>It would not be entirely correct to say that nothing was achieved during the PDP’s 16 years in government.</p><p>The period witnessed:</p><ul><li><p>the introduction and legal establishment of Universal Basic Education;</p></li><li><p>the revival of the National Open University of Nigeria;</p></li><li><p>the expansion of federal and private universities;</p></li><li><p>the establishment of TETFund in its present form;</p></li><li><p>increased private participation in education; and</p></li><li><p>various scholarship, teacher-training and school-development programmes.</p></li></ul><p>However, these achievements fell far below the broad promises contained in the manifesto.</p><p>The party promised free and functional education at all levels, adequate university funding, improved conditions for teachers, properly equipped schools, affordable student accommodation, mass literacy and rapid scientific and technological development.</p><p>By 2015, many of these promises had either not been fulfilled or had been implemented only partially.</p><p>The appropriate judgement may therefore not be that the PDP achieved nothing, but that its performance did not match either the length of time it spent in power or the ambition of its manifesto.</p><p>In that sense, the verdict remained: <strong>some progress, but still far too poor.</strong></p><h2>Update: July 2026</h2><p>This article was originally written while the PDP still controlled the Federal Government. The party lost the presidency in 2015 and has remained outside the federal executive since then.</p><p>The update is important because the education problems discussed in the article did not disappear with the change of political party. Funding disputes, strikes, inadequate school facilities, teacher shortages, poor learning outcomes and the large number of out-of-school children have continued under later governments.</p><p>Recent World Bank estimates indicate that approximately 17.1 million Nigerian children aged 5–14 are out of school. The Bank also estimates that although a Nigerian child may expect to complete about 10.2 years of schooling by age 18, the amount actually learnt is equivalent to only about five years of effective education.</p><p>These continuing problems do not remove the PDP’s responsibility for its record between 1999 and 2015. They show, however, that Nigeria’s education crisis is deeper than the failure of one political party.</p><p>As the next election cycle approach, every party seeking power should be required to present clear, measurable and properly funded education plans. Citizens should also compare those promises with actual results rather than allowing manifestos to be forgotten immediately after elections.</p><p>Education should not be treated merely as a campaign promise. It should remain one of the main standards by which every government is judged.</p></div>
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PDP Manifesto on Education: Promises, Progress and Poor Performance

A basic litmus test for judging the performance of any government or political party is its achievement in the education sector. Education ...

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