POLITICS AND EDUCATION, A MEANS TO AN END?
By Osuolale Oluwatomilayo
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” __ Lord Acton
Absolute power has been consistently abused in the complex web of our society. This era of power hunger has taken more than it has given. Initially, it corrupted the state and undermined the legacy left by British colonizers. The health sector has suffered significantly, with even the esteemed University College Hospital, Ibadan struggling to maintain its former glory as the pioneer teaching hospital in the country. The state of the health sector is dire. The value of the Naira has plummeted, making it a laughing stock in West Africa, and the once-proud nation has been humbled. The tragic events of October 20, 2020, left the country in mourning, and the wounds still linger. Unfortunately, we continue to face manipulative tactics that question the intellect of Nigeria and mock the naivety of those who remain uninformed followers.
Following this national decline, the educational system has suffered significantly, with a rising number of uneducated individuals and unemployed youths contributing to Nigeria's dismal statistics. In pre-colonial Nigeria, education primarily took the form of traditional knowledge transfer, where values and beliefs were passed down through generations, or consequential learning. The introduction of British colonialism, permitted by Obas, our traditional leaders, brought both positive and negative consequences, including the opportunity for wealthy individuals to access Western education.
Today, as the educational sector deteriorates, the bourgeoisie remain largely unaffected, while the proletariat struggle to be heard. According to Karl Marx, classism is defined by one's relationship to the means of production. As tuition fees continue to rise, those from lower-class backgrounds are forced to choose between pursuing their education or accumulating debt. The introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) aims to provide financial assistance to students. However, the recent Student Loan Act, signed into law by President Tinubu on June 12, 2023, has been criticized for contributing to the sudden fee increment.
This development sparked protests, which were met with force, resulting in students being tear-gassed. While the loan system may seem efficient, concerns arise about the feasibility of repayment in a country where many youths struggle to find legitimate employment. The burden of repaying debts adds to the challenges faced by students, making it difficult to achieve financial stability.
According to statistics, tuition fee increases in Nigeria have been a recurring trend, with a more significant and noticeable surge beginning around the 1990s. Although some increases occurred earlier, the period since the 1990s has seen a more pronounced impact on students, with substantial fee hikes, particularly for postgraduate programs. This trend continues to affect students' access to higher education.
In 2023, following the first drastic tuition fee increment in federal universities in Nigeria, predictions indicated that the number of dropouts would rise to 40-50%. This increase is not surprising, given the rising inflation. Prior to 2023, many universities had already increased their fees. For instance, in 2024, the University of Nigeria and University of Lagos announced a 600% fee increment.
A 2022 UNESCO report highlighted that approximately 20 million Nigerians were out of school, primarily due to poverty. Furthermore, a report by the Student Loans Company (SLC) revealed a concerning trend. Between August 2022 and August 2023, 41,914 undergraduate students dropped out of their courses, representing an alarming 5% increase from the previous year and the highest recorded figure since 2018-19.
The University of Ibadan has joined the trend of increasing school fees. This academic session, 2024/25, the entire campus has been remarkably quiet regarding the exorbitant fees displayed on our portals. Maybe it’s the hopelessness that clings to our desperation. We have gotten accustomed to the series of events that have affected our livelihood so we swallow our pain with clenched fists and tightly shut eyes.
We have called upon the school management, we have called upon the rest of the world to have an insight on the situation at hand but what is the situation at the bigger society?
While it seems our concerns have fallen on deaf ears, the school management cannot be solely held accountable. The responsibility extends to the federal government, which oversees the overall direction and welfare of students within the country's borders.
Now, we question the actual impact of politics on education and what it ought to be. How do governmental policies and decisions influence the accessibility and quality of education? What role should the government play in ensuring equitable and affordable education for all? More importantly, how the misappropriation of absolute power taken by those who desire have placed us in this dire doom that appears unrelenting. Politics on the four cornered classroom is a perfect illustration of absolute power misused.
Education: Social or Politics centered?
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself” John Dewey.
Our political system plays a crucial role in shaping public education, particularly through funding allocations that aim to ensure equitable access. However, decision-making and policy development are often influenced by political biases. The historical example of educational segregation in the 1960s starkly illustrates this, where political policies perpetuated inequality. Conversely, the desegregation of schools demonstrates how political change can be driven by social justice activism, ultimately promoting educational equity. This complex interplay highlights the intrinsic link between politics and education.
Public schools were founded to support democracy, recognizing education as a key tool for civic participation. As the 'great equalizer,' education empowers individuals to engage in the political system. Despite growing political polarization, schools can foster inclusive environments that cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and civic awareness. By prioritizing educational equity, we can ensure all students, regardless of background, have opportunities to thrive. Neglecting this priority disproportionately affects disadvantaged groups, exacerbating societal inequalities.
Furthermore, the increasing cost of education reduces the likelihood of individuals participating in the political system and addressing our shortcomings. The impact of expensive education perpetuates cycles of poverty and limits social mobility, maintaining the status quo where the proletariat remains disadvantaged and the bourgeoisie enjoys prosperity.
The most concerning aspect is that students are left to fend for themselves, fighting for a better future. This is evident in their protests, holding placards high, hoping to be heard. The involvement of the senate in decision-making processes has been questioned, particularly in light of the struggles faced by medical students across the country.
When fees are increased, students often demand more than just stagnation; they seek meaningful change. This complaint is an annual occurrence, affecting various sectors, including production, agriculture, and education. It raises a crucial question: are politics and education merely means to an end?
As we reflect on the intricate dynamics between politics and education in Nigeria, it becomes clear that the future of our nation hangs in the balance. The struggles faced by students, the increasing cost of education, and the impact of government policies all underscore the need for meaningful change.
We must ask ourselves: what kind of future do we envision for Nigeria? One where education is a privilege for the few, or a right for all? The answer lies in our collective actions, as citizens, policymakers, and stakeholders in the education sector.
