By Damilola Alamu
A lecturer, Dr. Shuaib Mohammed Bolakale has noted that effective implementation of education policy is panacea to the dwindling fortunes in the sector.
Bolakale of the Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Ilorin made this known while speaking at a programme organised by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO).
The programme was organised by Saliu Mustapha Foundation in collaboration with Ameliorate International Initiatives to mark this year’s International Youth Day with the theme: Transforming Education for sustainable development.
Represented by Mr. Ahmed Ayuba Olawale of the same department, Bolakale traced the problems of schools, the education sector, unemployment and insecurity in the society to the neglect of the roles of counsellors in schools, pointing out that instead of allowing them to work in schools; they were allotted courses to teach.
Speaking on the sub theme: Education for sustainable happiness and wellbeing: The roles of school counsellors, Bolakale stressed the need to engage adequate counsellors in schools and establishment of counselling centres that would be well equipped with modern facilities to meet the contemporary societal challenges.
According to him, the country has best educational policy but lack implementations of such policies, stressing the need for government to work towards ensuring the implementation of the policies.
Also speaking at the programme, the Project Manager, Saliu Mustapha Foundation and Convener, Ameliorate International Initiatives, Mr. Ahmed Yakub Ishowo, said the programme was organised to identify challenges facing Nigerian youths and proffer solutions to them by bringing policy makers, students, teachers and other critical stakeholders together to discuss and come out with viable solutions to improve the education system.
Ishowo noted that about 300 participants, including corps members, teachers, and students participated in the programme, adding that the two organisations would partner the Kwara State Government towards providing solutions to some of the problems identified and recommendations made, especially, on teachers’ training and improving reading culture.
Participants at the programme commended the two NGOs for the programme, appealing to government to fix the rot in the education sector and to ensure that qualified teachers are employed and allocated the right subjects to teach.
