It is pertinent to note that the standard of education in most of our higher institutions is very low. In many occasions the students are unable to measure up to the expectations required of them, because of inadequate still and knowledge. This is as a result of the fallen standard of education. It is common these days for employers to spend more resources and time to retrain new employees before they can be productive. I was bittered to hear a former minister of education Dr Sam Egwu, saying that about 80% of Nigerian graduates are unemployable. What a sad tale!
This has contributed to the high level of unemployment as some firms results to the service of expatriates, robbing our graduates of those opportunities.
Many factors are responsible for the fall of educational standard in Nigerian tertiary institutions among which are :
(1) Poor educational facilities. The importance of facilities such as well equipped library, functional laboratory and workshops, conducive class rooms, to effectively learning cannot be overemphasized. It is a fact that most of these are lacking in our tertiary institutions. How can research and practical skills be developed with poorly equipped or non functional laboratory and library.
(2) poor teaching standard.
The truth is said, that ''garbage in, garbage out"
The competency and attitude to work of some lecturers are in doubt. How often do the lecturers carry out research or develop on their teaching Skills? Some are only interested in the
sale of their substandard handouts, and even force the students to buy them. Most times the scheme of work are hurriedly covered or some areas left untaught, due to negligence on the part of the lecturers. This is not good for our educational institutions.
(3) Examination malpractice
Indeed, it has contributed her part to the poor standard of education in Nigeria. It has led to the admission of unqualified students into the schools. They pay their way through the SSCE, jamb and even the Post- Ume. Therefore most students who lack the necessary foundation and basic knowledge for tertiary education are admitted. These group are unteachable and a burden to their lecturers.
(4) lack of proper internship.
The training does not end in the four walls of the school, the students are expected to acquire relevant industrial experience through internship(I.T). It is the responsibility of the school to provide them with internship opportunities. Today students are left at their fate, and many of them end up with no place to do the internship, while some are engaged in areas not related to their field of study, making the aim defeated.
(5) Irregular school calendar
The incessant strike actions and riots, which has caused interruption of academic activities due to school closures has also affected the standard of education in our tertiary institutions. It has truncated and shortened study time. In a bid to meet up with the schedule, schools often result to rush and crashed programs. Most times the students are faced with examination immediately after such resumptions, with no time for revisions, resulting in poor performance. This has prolonged study period by some years in some cases. What a waste of valuable time!
In other to salvage the pride of our educational institutions vis avis the standard of tertiary education, great effort and investment must be made. The lacking facilities must be provided and the hailing ones upgraded.
The restructuring of the educational system to meet the present day need must be given priority. It is true that the world is evolving, and the only constant thing is change. Our educational institutions should embrace the good changes as they come, so that they will remain relevant. Technological innovations such as E-library, automated and blue chip equipment should be adopted in exchange for outdated learning method.
The good performance of few public and private schools should be commended and emulated. Also investors should be encouraged to invest in our education sector and compete with the global institutions.
All hope is not lost, with determination from all stakeholders, the glory of our educational institutions will be restored and the standard of education improved.