USAID survey on Northern school pupils

In a survey recently conducted in some Northern states by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, it showed that “Only 1.5% of children at early grade primary school level in public schools are able to read and answer comprehension questions. 72% of them cannot read a single word.” However, the report only covers […]

In a survey recently conducted in some Northern states by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, it showed that “Only 1.5% of children at early grade primary school level in public schools are able to read and answer comprehension questions. 72% of them cannot read a single word.”

However, the report only covers public schools in some Northern states. It does not cover Sourthern Nigeria. If truth be told, our teachers are generally ill-motivated. We could get it right, if we could introduce policies and programmes that will “entice” and or “attract” our best brains” into the teaching profession.

As at now, nobody wants to build his “career” in the teaching profession due to “poor salary”. Most people see it as a transitionary period to their preferred Jobs. As it is often said, it is better than being idle! If you ask most teachers on where they work? They often said, we are just managing with teaching! Most teachers are in constant search of well-paid Jobs instead of building their future in it.

Until the day the government makes teaching profession a passionable and an envied career, nobody will want to build his future therein. Let’s pay our teachers at least as medical personnel. Let’s pay more attention to girl child education. Let’s choose our wives carefully, the role of literate mothers in children’s education can never be overemphasised.

Where are the Northern governors, senators, Reps, State Assembly members, traditional rulers, elite and parents? The report is really disheartened! With that the future is doomed if nothing is urgently done.

In my observation, we could change the situation if we can give more emphasis on the following: (1) Qualified/well paid teachers, (2) Strict teacher supervision, (3) Constant training of teachers, (4) Provision of teaching Aid, (5) Manageable student- teacher ratio, (6) Conducive learning environment and (7) Extracurricular activities etc.

Another very disturbing report that has been out along time ago is that , Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the whole world. Even more disturbing is the fact that, majority of the children are in Northern Nigeria. The number of out-of-school children is 13.2 million by a Demographic Health Survey (DHS) conducted by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). The figures were confirmed by UBEC thus “Nigeria now has 13.2 million out of school children – UBEC”, ( Premium Times, August 8, 2019).

Nevertheless, there are said to about 10 million children that are operating the Almajiri system in the entire northern states, with most of them serving as beggars, spending most of their time on the streets begging instead of learning.

I firmly believe that, there is a strong correlation between illiteracy, poverty, and unemployment and Kidnapping, Cattle rustling, Armed banditry and Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria. Something very serious needs be done.

Our governors, senators, Reps, State Assembly members, traditional rulers, elite, rich men and parents should and or must put their heads together towards turning the tide against illiteracy, poverty, and unemployment, otherwise we will all be consumed by it consequences in near future. May God forbid!

Nurudeen Dauda, Kaduna   [email protected]