NEWS ANALYSIS EXAMINATION

Now the news analysis.

Inadequate teaching facilities, poorly trained teachers, parental laxity, as well as under funding of education have been identified as some of the causes of students poor performance in examinations.

In today's news analysis, Omonigho Edaah of our Reportorial Unit examines the factors militating against academic excellence, and how they can be mitigated in Nigeria.

Examination is an integral part of an education system which tests the academic ability or achievement of the learner at the end of an academic period or a programme.

At the final stage of their primary, secondary or tertiary education, students write an examination that qualifies them for a certificate. 

In recent times, the performances of learners in various certificate examinations have been appalling, leading  to public outcries and criticisms over the poor  state of the nation's education system.  

The primary six leaving certificate examination, the West African School  Certificate Examinations, conducted by the West African Examination Council, WAEC, and the National Examinations Council, NECO, have recorded very poor results among Nigerian students.

This steady decline in the examination performance does not only frustrate the learners and their parents but it also affects the entire Nigerian society.

Many have attributed poor performances in certificate and other academic examinations to poor teaching facilities, inadequate and poorly trained teachers, parental laxity, and under funding, amongst others.

No doubt, the importance of the education sector is highlighted by the saying that "Education is the bedrock of the society." 

However, the Nigerian education sector is faced with a myriad of problems which require not only government's efforts but also the efforts of all stakeholders to nip them in the bud.

Government at all levels should prioritize education by allocating more funds to that sector in the national, state or local government budgets. 

The training and re-training of teachers should be topmost on government agenda, while parents and guardians should cultivate the habit of following up on the academic progress of their children and wards.

Learners on their parts, should take their studies seriously.

Recruitment of staff into the teaching profession should be done on merit, where only qualified teachers are employed.

Government and private school owners should consider better pays for teachers whose rewards should not only be in heaven but also on earth.

If these happen,  education will no longer be a scam in the minds of our youths, and the get-rich-quick syndrome among young Nigerians will significantly drop.

Education is a huge investment and it is also an instrument for achieving a more rapid economic, social, political, technological, scientific and cultural growth and development in a country.

Therefore, for our nation Nigeria to enjoy the enormous benefits of education, all stakeholders should pay more attention to the education sector which will in turn enhance the performances of learners in both internal and external  examinations.

That news analysis on the challenges of academic excellence in Nigeria, was written by Omonigho Edaah of our Reportorial Unit/