… Anambra As A Frontline State Can Set The Pace
By David Onwuchekwa
The collapse of qualitative education in Nigeria remains one of the greatest tragedies of our time. What was once a system that produced some of the continent’s finest intellectuals has degenerated into a shadow of itself.
From primary to tertiary levels, the fall in standard is undeniable, and the blame is collective. Parents, teachers, students, and society at large have all contributed to this decay.
The pervasive get-rich-quick syndrome has eaten deep into the nation’s fabric. Hard work and discipline, once the bedrock of learning, have been displaced by the pursuit of sudden wealth and flamboyant lifestyles. Many students, including undergraduates, now prefer the allure of social media fame, cybercrime, and cultism to rigorous study. Discipline, the very foundation of scholarship, has been relegated to the background.
Parents, too, have failed in their duties. Rather than instill values of responsibility and diligence, many indulge their children, shielding them from correction and encouraging shortcuts.
Teachers, who should serve as role models, have in some cases abandoned their vocation, succumbing to unethical practices such as extortion, negligence, and “sorting.” The result is a generation of learners with certificates but little competence.
The role of government and society cannot be overlooked. Chronic underfunding, dilapidated infrastructure, overcrowded classrooms, and outdated curricula have crippled the system. Many schools operate without functional libraries, laboratories, or ICT facilities.
The incessant strikes in public tertiary institutions, coupled with the politicization of appointments in the education sector, have only deepened the malaise.
It is clear that the task of rebuilding must begin at the subnational level, with forward-looking States showing the way.
Anambra, celebrated as the “Light of the Nation,” cannot afford to fold its arms in the face of this crisis. The State must rise above the national average and demonstrate that excellence is still possible.
This demands deliberate action. First, massive investment in infrastructure must be prioritized so that every public school is equipped with modern facilities that promote effective learning.
Second, teachers should be adequately motivated, well paid, and retrained to meet the demands of contemporary education.
Third, discipline and value reorientation must be restored, with schools serving once again as incubators of character as well as knowledge.
Furthermore, Anambra must embrace curriculum reform and digital integration, equipping students with practical and entrepreneurial skills rather than leaving them with paper qualifications.
Scholarships and transparent reward systems should be used to promote merit and excellence. The State can also leverage partnerships with the private sector and its vast diaspora network to infuse resources, innovation, and mentorship into its schools.
If Anambra pursues these reforms with sincerity and consistency, it will not only distinguish itself but also set a model for others to emulate.
Education remains the surest foundation for sustainable development, and no State that ignores it can hope to secure a prosperous future. Anambra has the capacity to light the path once again.
