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State Of Schools (II): More Miles To Go Nationwide

By Ali Garba, Bauchi
07 February 2016   |   1:41 am
GIVEN that Bauchi State has long served as centre of politics for northeast region, it is expected that the state will be more advanced educationally than its counterparts, but reverse is the case; there is an apparent collapse in the state’s education sector.
Students sitting on the floor in a school in Bauchi

Students sitting on the floor in a school in Bauchi

Bauchi: Shortage Of Teaching Materials, Science Equipment Prevalent

GIVEN that Bauchi State has long served as centre of politics for northeast region, it is expected that the state will be more advanced educationally than its counterparts, but reverse is the case; there is an apparent collapse in the state’s education sector.

Even the accomplishment of its public schools is backward as evidenced by the poor performance in exams such as NECO and WAEC.

An education expert and former principal with Ministry of Education Bauchi State, Alhaji Garba Galadima said that quality teaching in Bauchi public schools has dropped drastically, compared to what was obtainable in the 90s.

He pointed that most of the teachers teaching in public schools are unprofessional, and without teaching methods. Some of them with diploma and Higher National Diploma (HND) have no idea of teaching.

Galadima explained that re-engagement of retired teachers, with outdated knowledge to teach in schools has contributed to poor performance of students especially in WAEC and NECO.

“These retirees have refused to adapt the modern technique of teaching and learning and this is hampering performance of students especially in science subjects.”

He explained that because of the age of retired teachers, head teachers have no power of control over them because some of them are like grandfathers and fathers to the head teacher.

He said that there is no way to compel retired teachers to improve on attendance and teach regularly in class.Bature Hassan Abdullahi, a class teacher with Government Secondary School, Bauchi, said so many factors combine to affect the quality of learning in the state, which include elevation of junior teachers to head teachers, as well as, religion and corruption within the system.

The Guardian learnt that during the Malam Isa Yuguda administration, about 20 junior teachers of level 09-10 were promoted to head teachers and principals, while level 14 and 16 with vast experience remain stagnant.

Re-engagement of retired teachers, with outdated knowledge to teach in schools has contributed to poor performance of students especially in WAEC and NECO.’These retirees have refused to adapt the modern technique of teaching and learning and this is hampering performance of students especially in science subjects‘

He stated that for junior cadre teachers to be elevated to head schools, while senior ones are left is seriously affecting quality teaching in public schools because the senior have been demoralised and cannot put in their best.

Sources available show that in 2006, salary of teachers with National Certificate of Education (NCE) was N11,000 and graduate teachers stand at N14,000.

In 2007, when Malam Isa Yuguda became Governor of state, he removed what was popularly known as Bauchi formula and implemented 27 per cent increase for professional teachers.

The improved salary package remained until 2011, when Yuguda administration introduced another system of deduction from workers’ salary to fund Agency for Vulnerable Children in the state. In October 2011, the take home pay of teachers was slashed to N54,000.

In February, 2013 Bauchi State government teachers went on strike, resulting in government removal of all teachers’ allowances that was earlier implemented and the salary dropped from N54,000 to N47,000 to date.

A LIBRARIAN with Ministry of Education Bauchi, Joel David Toro said “Most of this laboratories and libraries are there, but no text books, teaching aids and lab equipment for students to practice. You can only find outdated equipment in our schools that is why teaching science subjects is not effective.”

According to him, “during exams the school will borrow lab equipment and return them after exams are finish-led, most of the teaching is abstract and no practical facilities for students to learn.”

He said textbooks were provided by Yuguda administration worth over two billion naira, but instead of distributing the books to schools they were kept in the store to be destroyed, while the school libraries remain empty.

Toro said that to achieve quality education, government should train the teachers to update the knowledge of teachers regular.He lamented a situation, where attending workshops became selective and selections based on sentiments and religion, not performance and merit; students are at the receiving end resulting to none performance and low quality.

Infrastructure like table chairs are virtually empty as most of students receive lectures on bare floors, while foodstuffs are being diverted by the education administrators.

He said Government should improve teachers’ welfare to boost their morale and make them have sense of belonging. He urged government to disengage all contract teachers, especially those at the age of 65 and above, while suggesting that government injects fresh professionals into the system for better performance.

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