The Forgotten Rural Schools
Muhyideen Kolawole
Irreversible though, the memory of the mid 19s, opposition rivalry between the Action Group and NCNC; consequence of a tumor expanding in my mother’s brain. The poor woman could not forgive her mother who denied her western education even though, the gone grandma’s mind was polluted by the agencies of the NCNC.
As part of their campaign, the Awolowo party promised free education for the western regions; the Azikwe’s agents denounced it, painted it evil, whispered and yelled to the illiterate parents:”they will take away your children, they will never work for you again”. Even the claim was on the terrain of opposition, the effect went a long way; my mother could not acquire western education.
The same belief embroils our people in the rural settlement till today, large number of them have no formal education. If they could, primary classes crown them masters. Class starts betwixt twelve and two noon; farm and farming heads and tails it. Is it the PTA fee that’s so costly or the teachers are not coming? Ironically, the rural education is so expensive.
One could be better started with the structures, or better still, the inner reflections. Three to four classrooms for many a primary school while the principal offices are reserved for the crèches if only they exist. So interesting, the environment is so mesmerizing, the birds’ beautiful songs, swaying waving trees, talking toads and whistling of the passing farmers.
But inside, tiled sandy dusty floor; perfect holed chalkboard; shattered roof; crippled chairs and tables; conterminous free natural air, flowing through indefensive windows; this looks apparently the best among the schools in its neighboring villages.
It’s a will o’ the wisp for the children in the uncivilized areas of Nigeria, the fault could not be generally attributed to the dwellers neither can we blame the government for the dying coming generations: it’s a serpentine issue that needs both the government and rural habitants’ attention for the betterment of the state.
Behold! The payment of the teachers in rural schools has underwent an in-depth investigation to be the same with those in cities; which supposes not to be. Inwardly, this thwarts the teachers to be punctual and responsible for the work they are saddled with. The two-third of their salary is spent on transportation; what is the gain of this shenanigan appointment?
Moreover, in contrast to the city schools and colleges, learning materials are not adequately provided, if not at all. The books and schemes at these schools are the outdated ones. Ali and Simbi still work on Friday. No relevance of anything learnt to those in the centre of the state. They are academically executed and socially demoralized.
Water, electricity and health care centre are major needs of the rural community in order to eke out some sorts of existence in them. Pathetically, insufficient or total lack of infrastructure snarled their life. Much of the deaths recorded in the rural areas are due to ignorance which is as a result of low enlightenment in these locations. If proper education is offered, less would people’s health be in danger.
Indifference look on the rural education can damage the hope of Nigerians. Government should come in rescue of the illiterates; ignorance kills faster than disease. However, It should be known that none of the five basic national goals of Nigeria can be achieved without sound education in both national and local society.
Item 12, section 2 of the National Eduction Policy of Nigeria emphasized that primary and junior secondary schools will be provided freely and qualitatively for the citizens of the country. Neither now it is free nor we do have it qualitative. Humorously, the provision lives in big pockets in flowing gowns.
Flowing gowns! Yes, pot belle drivers on the road of the state affairs. Voice for the poor before the debtors; turn the face of drum against creditors. If the rights of the urchins in villages are thewed, Nigeria defenders are dreaded to liveried men, lily-white teeth get rotten through hard labour; their sweat will never forgive, blood will revenge when their ignorance affects the nation.
“Aesthetic education brings grace to the body and nobility to the mind,” says Aristotle. In contrast, lack of education shrivels mind, mires body and prepares the worst future for man. Many flees today from these villages to town which results to many cases of harm robbery and political violence when they could not have good education. However, this would be eradicated if they are enlightened.
Even the effect of the NCNC on the AC sagged with time in the heart of many; the less relevance victims rear it in the depths of their soul. So my mother do. Sadden.
Muhyideen Kolawole is a campus journalist and student of English, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.