National President of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Mr. Nuhu Ogirima, has described the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari in the area of education as a total failure.
Speaking on Buhari’s five years in office, Ogirima expressed disappointment in the government for failing to make significant efforts at tackling the myriads of problems facing education sector since he came into power in 2015.
The union leader wondered why the retired Army General turned politician had not considered it necessary to do something meaningful that would immensely turn around the fortunes of the education sector in the country.
He particularly lamented the deliberate neglect of Colleges of Education by the government, stressing that such portended serious implications for the country’s education system.
He said: “The present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has, in the last five years, done nothing meaningful to address the various issues that have hampered the advancement of the country’s education sector.
“Virtually all the problems he met upon assumption of office five years ago in the area of education have remained unresolved.
“Look at the needs assessment report for Colleges of Education. It is yet to be implemented. Other agreements and promises made have not been fulfilled.
“It is really sad that matters concerning education have not got the kind of attention they deserve from this government.
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“The government failed to understand that education is the bedrock for a nation’s economic growth and development as well as the most important resource for human development.
“Any serious-minded government should not hesitate to make education a top priority in its policy formulation and implementation.”
The COEASU helmsman asked Buhari to declare a state of emergency in education to squarely deal with the numerous challenges bedevilling the sector.
According to him, “The way forward is for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the education sector.
“This has been the call by well-meaning Nigerians and stakeholders in the education industry, including those appointed by the President to oversee the affairs of education in the country.
“For instance, the current education minister has repeatedly emphasised the need for a declaration of state of emergency in the education sector.
“Declaration of state of emergency in education is simply the way to go if we want to holistically solve the problems militating against the progress of our education sector.
“We must ignore protocols to effectively tackle the enormous challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector. That is why a state of emergency declaration is very important.”
