A Second Look at Education in Ex-colonies: A Case for Policy (Re)thinking (Published)
This review of arguments around formal education (schooling) acknowledges the developmental externalities of schooling and suggests that school organisation, knowledge practices and language of instruction in ex-colonies require review to serve national agendas. The arguments developed in the paper provided evidence that educational outcomes are not the same, especially in ex-colonies of Africa. It argues, that schooling in ex-colonies tend to de-historicise students and uproot them from their cultural heritage as colonialism does. As such, ex-colonies face national security risks associated with cultural epistemicide, for the loss of indigeneity including loss of indigenous knowledge, language and national identity. Therefore, there is need for a situated analysis of the political economy of knowledge production in order to deconstruct whose knowledge and interest schooling serves in ex-colonies. It is important for educational policy makers and school administrators to take a second look at schooling in terms of how it accords certain privileges and legitimacy to certain forms of knowing while invalidating indigeneity – Indigenous knowledge, culture and identity in ex-colonies.
Keywords: Education, Security, anti-colonial, ex-colonies, identities, indigeneity
Public Sector Expenditure and the Economic Development in Nigeria (1999-2015) (Published)
The study examined the interaction of public sector expenditure and economic development from 1999 – 2015. The specific objective was to assess the extent to which GDP affects EDU, HLT, DFS, AGR and PDS. Secondary data employed were from the CBN bulletin published in 2016. Multiple regression analysis and t-test were the statistical tools applied, with the use of SPSS for both data analysis and to test the hypotheses formulated for the study at 5% level of significance. The result revealed that GDP does not significantly affect EDU, HLT and AGR and as a result they do not have impact on economic growth. On the contrary, GDP significantly affects the DFS and PDS which do not have effect on economic development. The result shows that government spending on defense, security and public debt servicing has not brought about economic development. Therefore, there is need for change of orientation. The government should concentrate on investing in provision of proper education and adequate health facilities for the citizenry. More attention should also be given to agriculture for the purpose of sufficient food supply. All these measures could provide solution to insurgency and militancy which the government has spent so much to no avail.
Keywords: Agriculture, Economic Development, Education, Health, Public sector expenditure, defense and security, public debt servicing
EFFECTS OF GENDER BASED DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES ON POVERTY REDUCTIONAND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN NGOR –OKPALA AREA OF IMO STATE, NIGERIA. (Published)
This study assessed the effect of gender-based discriminatory practices on poverty reduction and women empowerment in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria One hundred and twenty (120) female respondents were randomly selected from twelve communities, ten respondents from each of the twelve communities. Questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage and mean. The results showed that most of the respondents were 51-60years of age and majority of the women were married and mostly secondary school leavers who had farming as their major occupation. The result showed that women are being discriminated upon in decision making, education, inheritance (land), in employment and some of these discriminations are caused by cultural and religious laws which restrict women from fully utilizing their potentials. The result also showed that discrimination of women leads to increased poverty level and psychological effect such as low self esteem and lack of confidence, subsequently affecting poverty reduction and women empowerment negatively. Based on the major findings, the following recommendations were made. Cultural and religious laws should be restructured to suit modern day society, equal educational opportunities should be provided to women, and skill training facilities should be provided to empower women. Also, Government should formulate policies that allows for equal right in inheritance especially land. Women should be given equal right and power in decision making, equal opportunities for women to participate in Various Societal Activities.
Keywords: Discrimination, Education, Empowerment, Gender, Poverty
Effects of Gender based Discriminatory Practices on Poverty Reduction and Women Empowerment in Ngor –Okpala Area of Imo State, Nigeria (Review Completed - Accepted)
This study assessed the effect of gender-based discriminatory practices on poverty reduction and women empowerment in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria One hundred and twenty (120) female respondents were randomly selected from twelve communities, ten respondents from each of the twelve communities. Questionnaire were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage and mean. The results showed that most of the respondents were 51-60years of age and majority of the women were married and mostly secondary school leavers who had farming as their major occupation. The result showed that women are being discriminated upon in decision making, education, inheritance (land), in employment and some of these discriminations are caused by cultural and religious laws which restrict women from fully utilizing their potentials. The result also showed that discrimination of women leads to increased poverty level and psychological effect such as low self esteem and lack of confidence, subsequently affecting poverty reduction and women empowerment negatively. Based on the major findings, the following recommendations were made. Cultural and religious laws should be restructured to suit modern day society, equal educational opportunities should be provided to women, and skill training facilities should be provided to empower women. Also, Government should formulate policies that allows for equal right in inheritance especially land. Women should be given equal right and power in decision making, equal opportunities for women to participate in various societal activities
Keywords: Discrimination, Education, Empowerment, Gender, Poverty