SCHOOL NA SCAM: A SLOGAN OF MEDIOCRITY

"School na scam"  is a trending slogan among the young populace in  Nigeria. The notion the slogan connotes is that formal education is not by any means a way to attain a high standing in the society.  In other words, school education is wasteful and unyielding. Whether this assertion is  justifiable by their justifications which are considered reasonable, it is still imperative to  balance the argument. And, of course, to re-examine the general perspective of "school" as place to learn. 

We know in the history of our country, Nigeria,  education was the best legacy parents could proudly afford their children at any cost. Aside that, it was lucrative at the end as graduates were promptly employed and paid high salary and given many luxurious  benefits; formal education was inexpensive with high quality.  As it was told, classrooms were enough and commodious. Basic school infrastructure which facilitated academic progress were provided and well functioning in both federal and state government owned schools. Even, to ease the burden of those incapacitated to send their offsprings, despite the low or no price school charges,  scholarships were made available for interested and best candidates.

 This was also undoubtedly a strategy to motivate students for academic excellence. Indeed, "school life is the best"  was the popular quote during this best time of our history. By implication of this accessible and quality education,  our country experienced rapid growth in terms of economy, human development, political Independence just to mention a few.  Unfortunately, reversal  is the case in our current dispensation.  All of the aforementioned credits of the country were facts in history; they  are  no more truths today.  Our enthusiasm for education is rapidly diminishing due to a lot of reasons which are not limited to government and leadership failure, parental negligence and social influence. 

First, our  once admirable schools have become dilapidated environment not conducive for wall geckos, lizards or any other animal species. The few manageable classrooms are usually populated with pupils hanging on the windows or sitting on the floor due to inadequacy of chairs and desks. Above all, the higher prices which are charged in public and especially  private schools with no iota  confidence of employment opportunities is  an engine oil running  the slogan. 

These are omens  of leadership and structural failure. To make matters worse, our education curriculum does not makes students self - reasoning and innovative. This is because much of what they are being taught are not put into practice even when they are still in schools. And to this, it  is due to lack of necessary equipment and infrastructures which the government fails to provide. 

 Also, the little or no funds and attention given to aid implementation of academic research and record for the use of  the society   is also a stone in the wheel of academic scholarship. Until government takes absolute responsibility to do the needful to salvage our education sector from shambles, there would not be confidence of secured future through school education. 

Moving on, gone are days when parents take absolute responsibility in teaching and imbibing  socio-cultural norms in their children in order to live  moderate lives. Most parents nowadays give little attention in bringing up their children. They however shift their parental responsibilities to the hands of the school teachers of their wards.  And when they are on holidays, the children are left with all kinds of social ills and abnormalities which they can learn from their peer in their neighbourhoods.

 Consequently, within a space of time, these young children become the products of the society by forming gangs  and chasing materialistic items as their parents do. Even, when they  financially support  the family perpetually with no apparent work they do, they are well - commended and eulogised. Moral education and formal education are no more prioritised within the family.  

Moreover, many a parent  prefer their children to go into vocational training than to school. Perhaps,  this is not  totally wrong. However, the best is , if they want their children have alternative vocational training, school should not be neglected.   Until parents stand as role models for their children as they give attentive care and also let them see hope and encourage them for formal education, social standards may diminish while mediocrity and social vices thrive. 

Another factor which has let "school na scam" become widespread among the young Nigerians is social influence.  Our present dispensation undoubtedly values money more than intellect. The society rewards those with little or no academic achievement with momentary stardom and quick riches, but the  educationists are being ignored  and not recognised. What morals do we expect of a society where people with academic minds are being ridiculed for pursuing dreams that is of no more relevance to success? 

In conclusion, while I may agree that school may be " scam", it is important to evaluate what school should be. Evidently,  schools are not only places to acquire new knowledge or learn new things, they are also venues to discover one's potentials and where to put the raw potentials into practice through exploration. 

The onus is on a pupil or student to explore his/ her school setting to showcase his talent or ability to the world.  While I also agree that education is not the only ladder to success, I will implore young individuals to still go to school. The basis of education is to make one's self   independent and attain self - discovery to provide solutions to our societal problems and bring about societal development. 

 

Adeleye I.  Damilare

LASU Chapter.