By Auwal Umar
Gombe (Nigeria) — Education has been part of the human society from the very beginning. Human societies throughout the ages have had stakes in education. The importance of education cannot be overemphasized. In fact, it will not be an exaggeration to say that without education, most societies will die. Philosophy of Education is a term that can be used to refer to the academic field that involves applied philosophy. It can also be used to describe philosophies that promote certain visions of education, examining the goals, meaning and other aspects.
While most societies will agree or acknowledge the importance of education, a large number of them fail to channel sufficient resources that can be used to promote and support educational institutions and activities. It is clear to everyone that, children, who are born innumerate and illiterate, quickly learn the culture and norms of the community they are born into, with the help of those around them and professional teachers. Within a short time, the children are able to read, write and act in an appropriate way. The skills improve as the child grows, and with time, they would have learnt enough to enable them to operate in the society without constant guidance.
Education today can serve as a mechanism for social-sorting. People have different learning skills with some exhibiting more facility than others. Education plays a major role on the economic fate of every individual. Education helps to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills that allow them to be able to define and pursue their individual goals. It also allows people to participate in the community, playing their part to improve their conditions and the condition of the society.
While many may view education in a very individualistic way, it is important to look at the societal perspective. The more educated individuals, there are in the society, the more developed that society becomes. Unfortunately, most societies today are embracing the narrow view that encourages people to get an education as a way to enhance their own individual needs. This has led to a few individuals holding the view that they are autonomous. In the end, this same individuals end up living very unfulfilled lives. Education should be able to create individuals who are assets to the society at large. Formal education provided by the state, is an acknowledgement of the importance of Philosophy of Education for survival of the society.
Formal education provided by the state, is an acknowledgement of the importance of Philosophy of Education for survival of the society. Making education a necessity helps to ensure that the society can continue to grow. One obvious sign of the great impact Educational Philosophy makes is that every time there is a crisis in society, there is inevitably a breakdown in the education system. Lack of education causes instability, and leads to a rise in poverty, ignorance and disease.
Nigeria’s Northeast is for long faced with utmost challenges, especially in the education sector. The region takes the large chunk of the number of out of school children and the problem of girls education, where most of the girls have no access to education, as a result of lack of Government commitments and interventions to create opportunities for the people of the region to be educationally developed. The result is poverty, child abuse and act of terrorism.
In this sense, Governor Dankwambo has made education his first, second and third priority to cater for the high need of quality education in Gombe State and the North in general. To him also, Education is the most important investment and he made it most precious assets to the people of Gombe State.
The administration of Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has focused its attention on spreading education to all nooks and crannies of the State by investing billions of Naira in the sector.
Within the six years of his two tenures, Governor Dankwambo constructed new Central model Schools in Gombe, Dukku, Funakaye, Akko, Billiri, Kaltungo and Deba Local Government Areas and renovated over 502 classrooms in both primary and Secondary Schools across the State. He built up to 51 laboratories to improve the standard of Science and technology education in the State and Constructed new secondary and Primary Schools at Gabukka, Herwagana, Abubakar Umar Memorial and Kurjale. Others are Auwaru, Futuk in Akko LGA, Lalaipido in Shongom LGA and Awak in Kaltungo LGA.
In order to provide a conducive learning atmosphere to pupils in Schools, Governor Dankwambo has Decongested the classes of 100 or more to 40 students per class in all schools across the state and constructed and renovated the hostels, toilet facilities and supplied beds and mattresses in boarding schools across the state.
His administration also showed its commitment in providing high teaching standards in the State by recruiting over 2,000 university graduates and over 1,000 NCE graduates, to make up for the shortage of teachers in both primary and secondary schools across the state, with additional recruitment of another 762 graduates recently.
The administration also purchased of over 4,000 (three in one) desks for Secondary schools, reading and writing materials to Primary, junior and senior secondary schools across the state, Purchased of over 2,570 double decker beds and over 636 tables and chairs for students in boarding schools and principals and teachers respectively. It also fabricated and supplied 13,183 sets of pupils furniture and 1, 200 sets of teachers furniture for the schools, Purchased and supplied instructional materials and lecture’s aids in primary schools, Constructed staff quarters and 68 VIP toilets in Schools across the state.
To also ensure more quality teaching and learning in schools, the Dankwambo administration has also created a quality Assurance Department, trained about 5, 000 teachers as part of professional development and 3,918 teachers consisting of 888 junior secondary and 3,030 primary teachers.
In his effort to control the number of Amajiris on the streets of Gombe State, Governor Dankwambo has constructed Tsangaya Primary Schools in Nafada, Kwami and Wuro Ladde with facilities.
So far, 2,000 students have been enrolled for remedial programme with the University of Maiduguri in which 55% have gained admission in to the University and Purchased and distributed JAMB/UTME forms to them and send 20 Students for overseas maritime degree programme. To also make the payment of Students scholarship easy, he introduced the E-Payment of Scholarship allowances and computerization of the Scholarship Board.
His commitment to give the best in higher education within the six years of his two tenures has become imperative as he constructed and established five Tertiary institutions, which include the School of Basic and Remedial Studies in Kumo and Daban-Fulani, Conventional College of Education Billiri, College of Nursing and Midwifery Dukku (under construction), State Polytechnic Bajoga, School of Legal and Islamic Studies Nafada, the Gombe State University College of Medical Sciences (under construction), as well as the procurement and installation of laboratory equipment for the College And Faculty Of Pharmaceutical Science, Gombe State University.
The Governor has recently received a committee report on the establishment of five additional tertiary institutions, which are the State University of Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, College of Accountancy, Institute of Journalism, and the Institute of Sports.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/01/04/education/nigerian-local-council-promotes-girl-child-education-through-sponsorship/