Exploration of Universal Basic Education Policy and its impact on Overall Education Quality of Schools in Nigeria (Published)

Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme was developed internally, although it is heavily influenced by global trends and developments in education. It is anticipated that its implementation will provide all Nigerians who are willing to learn with a top-notch basic education, as required by various international accords.  Nevertheless, Nigeria is confronted with problems such a lack of resources, a lack of public awareness, an inadequate implementation of the new UBE curriculum, and low teacher motivation. These barriers continue to limit how effective the UBE policy may be. This study provided an important contribution to explore Universal Basic Education Policy and its impact on overall education quality of schools in Nigeria. More so, certain recommendations were made amongst others that cooperation between the School administration, Local Government, and parents is required to stop children from working and begging during school hours to reduce absenteeism.

 

 

Keywords: Exploration, Nigeria, Policy, Universal Basic Education, education quality, schools

Loans and Scholarships in Africa’s Higher Education Finance: A Comparative Analysis of Capitation, Policy and Recoveries in Eleven Countries (Published)

This article is a comparative analysis on financing of higher education in eleven African countries; Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Existing trends and practices on loans and scholarships in relation to capitation, policy and recoveries were compared in the eleven countries that were also member state countries to the Association of the African Higher Education Financing Agencies (AAHEFA). Data was collected at the 2019 AAHEFA conference held in Lusaka, Zambia, where eleven chief executive officials or their representatives from country loans and scholarship related institutions shared comprehensive reports related to funding of higher education in the eleven countries. The data collected was analysed thematically. The article shows that the eleven African countries shared several similarities and differences ranging from management structures, education prioritization, capitation, recovery methods and policies. High demand for student funding against limited resources and loan recovery methods were among the emerging similarities. The differences included variations in funding patterns, policy differences among funding agencies and nebulous management structures. It argues that since most of these loans boards are in their infancy, they needed to learn very fast on how to manage granting and recovery of loans.

Citation: Chirwa I.N., Masaiti G., Mwale N., Mkandawire S.B., Mulenga I.M., Sichula N.K. (2022) Loans and Scholarships in Africa’s Higher Education Finance: A Comparative Analysis of Capitation, Policy and Recoveries in Eleven Countries, British Journal of Education, Vol.10, Issue 16, 67-88

Keywords: Financing, Higher Education, Loans, Policy, capitation, recovery, scholarships

Minimum Standards and Accountability in Colleges of Education in Nigeria (Published)

This paper discussed issues of minimum standards and accountability in colleges of education system in Nigeria. Minimum standards in education system have been a critical issue since 1970 after the government take-over of schools from voluntary agencies. The issue needs to be addressed include: proliferation of educational institutions, varied mode of instructional delivery, non-observation of admission policy, increased examination malpractices, frequent strike actions and other disruptions that water down standards in education. These necessitated the researchers to examine the existing Minimum Standard in colleges of Education in Nigeria for the purpose of instilling uniformity in the system. The study x-rayed accountability and the degree of excellence towards the achievement of the goals of the National Commission for Colleges of Education in Nigeria. The paper highlighted problems and prospects of the commission and how to improve standards through the Governing Council and Teacher Registration Council of Nigeria

Keywords: Accountability, Minimum Standards, Policy, Quality control, Standards in Education