By Ayodele Abere.
Education has been described as a prerequisite for survival, necessity for development and an inevitable social ingredient for robust interaction.
This was affirmed by the inaugural lecturer, Professor Olajire Adeola Adegun, at the 67th inaugural lecture of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), held at the university campus in Ado-Ekiti. who described education as a means of socialising human beings which involves the bringing up of a child in the community and constantly training him to adjust himself to the changing world around him.
Speaking on the theme,’ Debacle Ind Conundrum In Education: Management For The Paradigm Shift’, Prof. Adegun stressed further on the significance of education in shaping human life for better. According to the inaugural lecturer education is a lifelong process that varies in its contents and methods as there are different societies in the world. “It also varies from time to time and from place to place”. Noting that what one age cherishes as wisdom may be regarded as folly.
The inaugural lecturer explained that the problems facing the Nigerian education system which could lead its collapse are varied and on the increase whereby all hopes of reviving the education system seem farfetched. Substantiating this fact, she noted that none of the Nigerian universities is ranked among the first 500 universities in the world. The students’ performance does not meet the expectations of the stakeholders at all levels of education. Adegun lamented.
However, the don stated that inadequate funding has caused a big constraint to the development of education saying the inadequate facilities and equipment, dilapidated material and physical resources that are seen in schools are offshoot of inadequate funds of education projects.
In her recommendations, Professor Olajire Adeola Adegun said, in view of the numerous economic benefits which education generates, the government should allocate adequate funds to education at all levels for the institutions to perform maximally.
“The government should increase budgetary allocation to education. The 26℅ baseline of the budgetary allocation to education should be adhered to and the allocation should be released promptly. Parents, guardians, Alumni association, philanthropists, corporate bodies and individuals should support schools and institutions financially by providing education resources for their children/wards to compliment government efforts.
“The managers of education especially in higher institutions should also think outside the box, explore both national and international opportunities to get fund. They should be academically creative, divergent and revolutionary in exploring ideas to attract funds.
“Schools facilities should be given complete overhauling by repairing and replacing bad and damaged ones. Educational managers, teachers, students and other stakeholders in the education system must rise up to their responsibility of ensuring proper maintenance of school facilities. Managers should be mobilized to imbibe the culture of facility maintenance”.
In his remark, the Vice- Chancellor of the institution, Professor Edward Olanipekun, commended the inaugural lecturer for a well delivered lecture as he advised the younger generation on maintaining good culture.
Present at the inaugural lecture were the Principal Officers of the institution, academicians, family and friends as well as well wishers from Ekiti and out the state.
