Policy Document on Education in Nigeria PDF

**1.0 Introduction** This course examines the essential contents of the policy document on education in Nigeria. It deals with the overall philosophy of the nation (Nigeria) and its philosophy in education. It outlines the national goals and specific objectives of education as well as the values an...

**1.0 Introduction** This course examines the essential contents of the policy document on education in Nigeria. It deals with the overall philosophy of the nation (Nigeria) and its philosophy in education. It outlines the national goals and specific objectives of education as well as the values and attitudes upheld by the philosophy of education. Furthermore, the course traces, the historical development of education from the earlier generation of Greeks and Romans to the emergence of modern education, the pre-colonial and colonial education, to the post-independence and the development of national policy on education in Nigeria. It concludes, with recent development leading to its current state. **\ 3.1 Overall National Philosophy of Nigeria as a nation** The framework of education in Nigeria is better understood under the framework of the overall philosophy of the nation. The overall philosophy of the nation includes, but not limited to: a. Live in unity and harmony as one indivisibly indissoluble, democratic and sovereign nation founded on the principles of freedom, equality and justice. b. Promote inter-African solidarity and world peace through understanding. **The National Philosophy of Education in Nigeria** Nigeria philosophy of education is based on the following set of beliefs, 1. Education is an instrument for national development and social change. 2. Education is vital for the promotion of a progressive and united Nigeria 3. Education maximizes the creative potentials and skills of individual for self-fulfillment and general development of the society. 4. Education is compulsory and a right of every Nigerian irrespective of gender, social status, religion, ethnic background and any peculiar individual challenges. 5. Education is to be qualitative, comprehensive, functional, and **relative** to the needs of the society. This philosophy of Nigeria education is based on the development of the individual into a sound and effective citizen and the provision of equal opportunities for all citizens of the nation at the national Basic, Secondary and Tertiary levels both inside and outside the formal **school** system, (NPE. 2013). The objective of education in Nigeria are also better understood after understanding the national goal of Nigeria. The five main national goals of Nigeria as stated in the constitution of Federal Republic are the building of: a. A free and democratic society b. A just and egalitarian society. c. A united, strong and self-reliant nation, d. A great and dynamic economy, e. A land full of the right opportunities for all citizens. a. b. c. d. e. 1. ensure and sustain unfettered access and equity to education for the total development of the individual, 2. ensure the quality of education delivery at all levels, 3. promote functional education for skill acquisition, job creation and poverty reduction, 4. ensure periodic review, effectiveness and relevance of the curriculum at all levels to meet the needs of society as a whole, 5. After enumerating the above national goals and student oriented goals of education, the document further outlined the necessary measures that government shall take to ensure the full realization of the objectives of education in Nigeria. **3.1.2 Values and Attitudes** The national policy on education provides that education shall be learner-centered for maximum self-development and self-fulfillment through quality delivery at all levels. The quality of instruction at all levels of education shall be ensured towards inculcating the following values: a. respect for worth and dignity of the individual, b. faith in man's ability to make rational decisions, c. moral and spiritual principles in interpersonal and human relations, d. shared responsibility for the common good of society, e. promotion of the physical, emotional and psychological development of all children and f. Acquisition of functional skills and competencies necessary for sell reliance (NPE 2013). Other values and attitudes that could be inferred include inculcation of reading, culture and science inquiry attitude or orientation. **3.2 Development of Modern Education - B.C. to 18th A.D.** The development of the art of writing is believed to be the origin of the development of modern education. Egypt, through its priests is believed to be the first civilization to develop the scribe culture. Other ancient civilizations that developed the art of writing include Samaria, Babylon and China. With the legacy of the scribal culture from the ancient civilizations, the Greeks and the Romans developed a system of education that began and influenced the modern educational systems worldwide.