Educationist Calls For Urgent Need Of Education Welfare, Funding

 

A Professor of Education, Oluwole Akeredolu, says  welfare of Nigeria academics needs to be taken more seriously by governments and other stakeholders to facilitate education development.

Akeredolu, a lecturer at Lagos State University (LASU), made the assertion   at the Ninth Annual International Conference  of Faculty of Education, LASU, on Tuesday in Lagos.

The conference had the theme: “Global Challenges for Education: Politics, Policies and Progress”.

The professor said that in order to tackle  some education challenges, academics, teachers and schools should be well-motivated with good funding, welfare packages and infrastructure.

“The global challenges for education are complex but they are not insurmountable.

“By aligning political will, evidence-based policies and collective efforts, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for all learners,” Akeredolu said.

He emphasised that education was the most powerful weapon to change the world.

“Education is also crucial for gender equality, with equal access reducing the number of girls denied primary education.

“However, 59 million school age children worldwide are still  missing in education, hindering their future.

“We need to know that progress in education is assessed by increases in literacy rates, enrolment and graduation rates,  and educational outcomes,” Akeredolu said.

Prof. Solomon Makinde, Dean, Faculty of Education, LASU, said that insecurity posed a significant threat to education worldwide.

Makinde said that violence, conflict and instability disrupted  learning process and created environments where students and teachers felt unsafe.

“Governments must strive to create secure and supportive learning environments, ensuring that education can continue uninterrupted even in the face of adversity.

“Cultural and indigenous education is crucial for preserving the diverse heritage of our societies,” he said.

Prof. Simeon Dosunmu, Chairman of the Conference Committee, said that the theme was informed by the need to ‘probe the underbelly of education and see if it is still on track’.

Dosunmu said that equity in education remained a poignant issue.

“Our task is not only to ensure that every child has a seat in the classroom but also to ensure that he receives a high standard of education.

“Political stability, international cooperation and robust policy frameworks are essential in safeguarding education during times of crisis and promoting resilience in affected communities.

“By forging partnerships, fostering dialogues and translating political commitments into tangible actions, we can pave the way for a bright future through quality education,” he said.