Education

The state of our educational system is a major problem, as it has been unsuccessful in adequately preparing its graduates for the workforce. This shortfall is evident when teachers are unable to effectively impart knowledge and students struggle to acquire essential skills, leading to long-term detrimental effects on the nation.

Addressing and overhauling our educational system from the grassroots to the highest levels is a strategic imperative for my administration. To tackle these challenges, my leadership will introduce several key strategic initiatives aimed at revamping the educational system. These will include:

Boost Investment in Education: The education sector’s allocation will increase from current 7.5% to 15% of the GDP within my first year of leadership.

Reform educational system: My administration will implement a total transformation of the nation’s pre-tertiary educational system from early childhood education to primary and secondary school, including curriculum redesign, teaching methods, teacher qualifications, and availability of modern teaching aids and science equipment. Students will be evaluated based on competency rather than completion of required curriculum.

Implement Competency–based Education: My administration is committed to promoting and advocating for competency-based education. This educational approach prioritizes and assesses students’ understanding of a topic by their ability to exhibit their knowledge and skills. The emphasis is on students proving their comprehension and the practical application of their learning through assessments that confirm their deep understanding of the content, as opposed to mere rote memorization of facts.

Teacher Training and Development: We will invest in the continuous professional development of teachers to enhance their teaching methods and subject matter expertise.

Inclusive Education: Return 20 million out-of-school children back to the classroom: We will ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have access to quality education, including the integration of special needs education. It is deeply distressing that 20 million school-aged children in our country are not in school. Addressing this is a top priority for my administration. We plan to enroll these 20 million out-of-school children nationwide, offering free transportation, two meals a day, and complimentary tuition and textbooks. We will designate an Enrollment Officer in each Local Government Area (LGA) to head a team of local recruiters. This team will collaborate with parents, religious and community leaders, and schools to enroll out-of-school children. Furthermore, we will work with state and LGA authorities to prohibit underage marriages and child labor.

Industry and Academic Collaboration: We will foster partnerships between educational institutions and industries locally and overseas to provide practical, real-world, immersion experiences for students.

Technology Integration: We will incorporate technology into the education system from primary school all the way to universities to facilitate innovative teaching and learning methods.

Emphasize Career and Technical Education (CTE): In response to the growing need for craft skills, my administration will create additional career and technical education (CTE) programs. These Technical School programs will be designed to equip students with the specialized skills required for modern careers, setting them on paths toward professions in sectors like data analytics, digital services, artificial intelligence systems, engineering and medical technology, construction technology, customer service, and more. My administration will build state-of-the-arts technical schools or modernize exiting ones in all LGAs.

Relentless Focus on Entrepreneurial Apprenticeship: Our strategy includes adopting the renowned Igbo apprenticeship system, augmenting it with our technical education in classroom settings. This approach is designed to equip graduates with robust entrepreneurial skills and relevant technical abilities, enabling them to start their own businesses and evolve into employers. They will receive backing from both my administration and private investors in this endeavor. My administration will eliminate all initial business registration prerequisites and offer access to startup capital at minimal interest rates, without the need for collateral. This startup loan will be subject to repayment.

Revamp Federal Universities: We will put forward a strategy to assess universities based on academic and research excellence and student readiness, allocating federal resources only to those that meet the established criteria. Regulatory measures will be employed to oversee educational bodies and optimize the number of universities.

Grant Academic Excellence Scholarships: Scholarships based on merit will be granted to outstanding students who qualify for studies in STEME (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Entrepreneurship) disciplines, crucial for national strategic development.

Establish Robust Student Loan Program: Students who are not eligible for merit-based scholarships will have the opportunity to participate in a federal education loan program, which provides full funding for their education at consistently low interest rates. The yearly repayment amount will be determined by their income once they are employed.

Provide Real Free Education: All eligible citizens attending public schools will receive tuition-free education from primary level through to Senior Secondary 3 (SS3). This initiative ensures the elimination of additional fees that schools currently impose.

Adequately Compensate High–performing Teachers: To recognize and reward excellence in teaching, my administration will implement a policy dedicated to adequately compensating high-performing teachers. We understand the pivotal role teachers play in shaping the future of our nation, and it is imperative that their efforts and achievements are fairly acknowledged and rewarded. This policy will include a comprehensive evaluation system to identify and assess high-performing educators, followed by a structured compensation plan that offers competitive salaries, performance bonuses, and career advancement opportunities. Additionally, we will explore avenues for professional development and further education for these teachers, ensuring they are not only rewarded for their current excellence but also supported in their continued growth and development in the field of education.