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2004 ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE
VENUE:
UNIVERSITY OF JOS,
DATE: 27TH – 30TH SEPTEMBER 2004
THEME:
Deregulating the Provision and Management of Education in Nigeria
SUB-THEME
-
perspectives on deregulation of
education system
-
the role of government in establishing
a foundation level for the support and sustainability of education
-
Private sector participation in
the provision and management of education
-
issues of access and equity in the
deregulation of education system.
-
Legislation on deregulation of the
education sector.
-
deregulation and professionalism of
school personnel.
KEYNOTE
Deregulating the Provision and Management of Education in Nigeria
see
attendance list
COMMUNIQUÉ
The Association met and
deliberated extensively on the findings of researchers and papers presented by
members on the sub-themes of the conference.
Observations
Arising from the discussions,
the following observations were made:
- Deregulation is a global phenomenon that is already
being practiced in many countries and in other sectors of the economy. Its
main benefits are efficiency and quality.
- It is in line with government’s intention of
allowing private participation in the education industry.
- Government cannot single-handedly fund education.
- There has not been prudent management of the funds
released for education.
- The value of the naira is having a crippling effect on
education financing.
- Education has been over-centralized.
- Deregulation may enhance access to education if
properly managed.
- Deregulation may lead to personnel moon lighting,
contingency labour force, worker alienation and poor labour relations if not
carefully implemented.
- Deregulation seems to be the trend world-wide.
- Deregulation engenders competition that can produce
quality in education if properly managed.
- Deregulation does not necessarily mean that government
abdicates its responsibility of educating the citizens. Government can
actually promote deregulation through privatization.
- Privatization is helping to improve access and quality
in education.
- There is always a wide gap between educational policy
and implementation in the country.
- University autonomy will create a lot of challenges
for the leadership and membership of the university community.
- Privatization may result from deregulation.
Recommendations
The following
recommendations were made based on the observations:
1.
Deregulation of the education system should be carried out with government
investing in infrastructure for the education system.
2. Government
should fund education adequately.
3. Mechanisms
should be put in place for effective monitoring of deregulated school system.
4. Rewards
should be used as recognition for excellence.
5. Government
should formulate policies aimed at tapping the full potentials of the private
sector to encourage its cooperation in the funding and management of education.
6. There
should be enhanced community participation in the management of basic education.
7. There
should be regular monitoring and evaluation of educational policy
implementation.
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