Last night I chatted with one of my High School mates who is in his final year in the distressed Kogi state university, and he really complained bitterly about the elongating industrial action engaged by the academic body of the institution. The strike is now more than 90 days and the Govt. seems not to be perturbed about the adverse effects of such action; it is disheartening that up until now, there seems to be no hope in sight as to when the school will be reopened.
This is the university with the highest number of kogi students in Nigeria, and if we are to abide by the mantra that “Education is power” as a state, then the runnings of the school in good manner should be one of our top most priorities and not to jeopardize it. Have paused to wonder about how the students are feeling outside the school when normally in saner clime, they are supposed to be in their various classrooms learning. Now some are turning into hoodlums, miscreants, going into various jobs to meet ends means while some are living in frustration and declining motivation towards school: No wonder, the crime rate in the state is escalating in a geometric progression daily.
A non-kogite once asked me that why is it that high number of people been used as security or watchmen are from kogi state? Also, you see kogites engage in various menial jobs because they lack different qualification that can make them be at the apex. I tried to argue with him, but deep down I knew there is an iota of truth in his accusations because there is certainly nothing to write home about the education sector in the state.
What we have been experiencing in the state are series of incessant strikes all across, and even the primary and secondary schools are not left out of the dysfunction. The number of time the pupils and students spend at home is more than they spend in the classrooms, the learning environment is bad with few or non-availability of qualified teachers; certainly, the standard of education in the state is dropping.
Almost everybody thought things will turn for better after the emergence of Yahaya Bello as the Governor since it was during the time the masses yearned for change he came into power, but it’s sad his leadership is turning to a déjà vu. There is still non-payment of staff which is the major problem we have been facing. It’s rare to run a term/semester without any strike abruptly interrupting it.
Though some in the state are able to afford the private schools around but what about the people in the streets? How will the children of a widow get the education they deserve? When will we be able to boast of being a top educated state? So many questions keeps resounding in my heart waiting for answers. I urge the state govt. to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, work against all its ineptness and incapabilities so that we can have a better Kogi.
– Funsho Michaels
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