Primary Education as a Foundation for Qualitative Higher Education in Nigeria

Overview & Synopsis

Primary education is universally accepted as the foundation laying level of education in all nations of the world. It provides the mini-structural framework on which the quality of other levels of education is anchored. It is on this premise that this paper examines the pertinent issues that, if properly addressed would recapture and refocus policies in Nigeria for qualitative education at the secondary and tertiary levels. These issues include: A deliberate and conscious effort at achieving the goals of primary education in Nigeria, addressing the perennial problems of teachers and teaching in primary schools and the management of primary education in general, dealing with the virus of examination malpractices at the level of primary education and its effect on higher education. In the light of these and other issues adversely affecting the quality of products of education, this paper recommends, among others that the implementation of national policy in primary education by states and private institutions should be closely monitored to ensure uniformity in quality output from the nations primary schools. All primary schools in Nigeria, irrespective of where they are located, should be given a face lift with modern infrastructures in terms of building for administration, classrooms, introductory technology workshops, library, equipment and all relevant instructional materials to ensure effective teaching and learning.