Government has been urged to promote head teachers based on merit and hard work rather than long service or age.
Dean, College of Animal Science and lifestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNNAB), Prof Christian Ikeobi, said this while delivering a lecture at a training for teachers organised by Guarantee Image Communication and the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
Speaking on the theme: Great Teachers, Great School, Great Nation, Ikeobi said: “A mediocre teachers can be appointed a head teacher because of the length of service or seniority. We need to change the system of selection of head teachers let it be through merit, result-oriented, hard work, performance and computer based.”
The dean also explained why examination malpractice thrives in Nigeria. He said the menace crept into the education system after independence when the government took over schools with the promise to positively change it.
“Universal Primary Education (UPE) was developed, then there was a large enrolment of pupils into schools, which began to affect the infrastructure and the problem of insufficient teachers began.
“Market women, fishermen, palm wine tappers, became auxiliary teachers, which led to a mass production of teachers. It was like an emergency. Learning for pupils became difficult. Mass promotion of students started.
“The students became aware that they didn’t have to do anything to pass. They lost all inclination to work. Teachers on the other hand became aware that they were not scrutinised so they began to do whatever they liked. This brought standards down,” he said.
He said because the students were used to promotion en-masse, when it was time for external examination, they felt they needed to cut corners to pass.
Defining a great school, he said it one with a unique culture of scholarship, character training, and discipline.
“Something about the school has to challenge people. It may be the environment, anthem, core value, teachers, culture or name, great schools are not special centres, they endure from generations to generation,” he added.
Commissioner for Education Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, who was represented by Mr Gabriel Shodimu, said training is a technical aspect of life and should be accorded great concern.
She said investment in human capital in post primary; secondary education is the surest way for society to develop. “Children’s education should not be toiled with. Teachers should attend seminars and conferences,” she added.
Mrs Adun Akinyemiju, Proprietress Dansol Schools, Agidingbi Ikeja who spoke on Habits of highly effective teachers said Nigeria will be transformed through schools.
She said teachers should always listen to the problems of their pupils, be understanding, supportive. “Ask yourself how you will be judged by the children, parents, God and yourself. Who a teacher is is more important than what he teaches,” she said.
She called on government to stop sending candidates who do not make the JAMB cur off marks to colleges of educations saying that they end up bad teachers.