Give FG tasks related to education policy to discourage Team Japa

The federal government has been tasked with developing policies and practices that will discourage the incidence of Japa syndrome among Nigerian youth.

A professor of political economy at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Lagos, Olatunde Babawale, who made the call, said it would stop the trend of turning the country into a human resources training ground for richer countries.

Speaking while delivering a lecture to mark the 60th anniversary of the Federal University of Education, Adeyemi, Ondo Babawale stressed the need to end educational policies that attract mediocrity.

He noted that despite the many challenges facing the country’s education sector, not all hope is lost for the country, claiming that Japa syndrome will soon be a thing of the past.

According to him, “education that is not embedded in the context of culture is unsustainable and incomplete. The Japa syndrome highlights a deep-seated social trend that highlights the complex interplay of socio-economic, political and educational challenges facing the Nigerian state and society.

“Most of our colleges and universities are enrolling students in excess of their capacity. This leads to overcrowded classrooms, thus creating an environment that hinders learning.

The inflow of students should be managed in such a way that recruitment can be matched to the absorption capacity of universities.

“We must mobilize the resources at our disposal and put all hands on deck to halt the disastrous decline of our educational institutions, end policies and practices in the education sector that glorify mediocrity, begin the process of revitalizing the economic system and restore the pride of place to our institutions, they deserve, in the global community.

“Education is too important to be left to the government. A whole-of-society approach must be taken to clean up the system.”

Stressing the importance of culture in education as a panacea to reflect on the ‘Japa’ syndrome and the Nigerian education system, he said the curriculum must incorporate cultural pedagogy to improve the education system in Nigeria.

He said that culture in education must become a source of wisdom and knowledge in the same way that Greek and Roman mythology laid the foundation for modern Christian humanism and its critical liberal tradition in Europe and America.

“This culture of education, he says, “will make us producers of ideas, not consumers of other people’s ideas.”

However, the professor of political economy stated that if education is the means by which society deliberately transmits knowledge, skills, customs and values ​​from generation to generation through training and instruction, then culture must become an integral part of society. school program.

“There is a need to improve the quality and relevance of vocational and technical education programs to meet contemporary needs.

“By equipping students with practical skills, they will be prepared for employment or entrepreneurship.

“Similarly, it will create a foundation for collaboration with industry stakeholders to conduct research, develop projects and adapt curriculum that is aligned with market demands and can support innovation and creativity in technical fields.

“We need to start comparing our teaching and publishing in foreign languages ​​with our publishing and teaching in indigenous languages.

“If countries like China, Japan, Korea etc. can teach their citizens in their own languages ​​and even publish scientific books in these languages, there is nothing stopping Nigeria from doing the same. Young people usually learn better when taught in their native languages.

“There is a need to initiate a comprehensive, multi-dimensional and multi-sectoral reform of our political, social, economic, educational and security systems,” Babawale said.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Samuel Akintunde, in his welcome address, said the institution was facing many challenges, but assured that the institution would continue to make every effort to ensure smooth administration.

Akintunde said: “One of the challenges we would like to bring to the fore, hoping that eminent personalities and alumni will help overcome it, is insufficient power supply.

“Continuing to purchase diesel fuel in the quantities necessary to provide electricity is highly unacceptable. That’s why we’re asking for individual and group financial contributions to keep our hostels, offices and laboratories powered by solar energy. We are pleased with your kind gestures in this regard.

“In addition, those who would choose to hire solar engineers to fix solar power in certain structures are also welcome. We also encourage those interested in building and running private hostels to submit offers. I assure you of favorable consideration for full recovery of capital and profits.

“I take this opportunity to thank our dear President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for playing a pivotal role in the successful development of the Federal University of Education, Adeyemi. I am happy to welcome all our guests, staff and students on this historic day in the life of our emerging university as we celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Kiladejo, who also spoke at the event, said: “The idea of ​​our young people traveling is not the only path to prosperity.”

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