SUSTAINABLE EDUCATIONAL POLICIES AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT NIGERIA EXPERIENCE

 Abstract

The researcher treated about sustainable Educational policies and National Development but giving more emphasis on Educational Policy because they are government programmes or action plan meant to review existing educational practice or introduce a new method aimed at enhancing a better educational pursuit for its citizens. The impact of Educational policy makes man live and operate the way he does and his operational efficiency is best determined by his quality of education. Lastly, it is said that without educationally policy, there will be low productivity in the whole sector of the economy.

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

The nexus between education and national development is quite intrinsic. Education, as a process through which desirable knowledge, attitudes and activities are inculcated both formally and informally, provides the basic substratum for national development and ensures that national objectives are brought to fruition. Through this process, man’s intelligence is provided training of the right kind to enable him acquires the necessary values and act rationally for his own good and for that of his society. It is this all important function of education that compelled Alfred Whitehead (1997) to remark thus; “in the conditions of modern life, the rule is absolute; the race which does not value intelligence is doomed”. Thus, it is education that makes man live and operate the way he does. His operational efficacy is best determined by his quality of education. It is not surprising that the Nigerian Government has adopted education as an instrument par excellence for effective national development.

• GENERAL BACKGROUND TO THE SUBJECT MATTER

Educational policy are government programmes or action plan meant to review existing educational practice or introduce a new method aimed at enhancing a better educational pursuit for its citizens. Prior to these policies, government involvement was not all that quite pronounced in the management of education. That is why in the introduction of this policy, it is clearly stated thus “Education in Nigeria is no more a private enterprise but a huge government venture that has witnessed a progressive evolution of government completely and dynamic intervention and active participation. According to Walter Rodney (1992), “The import of the policy was that government was out for even and orderly development of the country, using education as its capstone. Dudley Seer (1991) remark thus; the policy does not only highlight the national policy on education but also provides a framework for the national objectives on which the policy derives.

1.2      PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER

A lot of problems is associated with this subject matter which include the following:

1. There is the danger of employing illiterates in the various sector of the economy if education is not introduced.
2. Lack of education is responsible for low productivity in the whole sector of the economy.
3. Without the help of education, one cannot be proficient in speaking and understanding languages apart from her mother tongue.
4. Satisfaction of other’s interest or even assuming a leadership role in a group would be made impossible without education.
5. According to Offoing Daniel A. (1980), Educational policy definitely places some children in disadvantaged position by making no provisions for free education.