An Assessment of Local Government Authorities’ Performance in Enhancing

Effectivess of Primary Education in Nigeria.

By

Hamza Abdullahi1. Department of Business Administration and Management, Kano State

Polytechnic. Email: hamzaadullahi12.ha@gmail.com, Phone: 08033737101

Aminu Abubakar 2. Department of Business Administration and Management, Kano State

Polytechnic. Email: alaminsadiq@gmail.com

Garba Tsoho3. Department of Business Administration and Management, Kano State

Polytechnic. Email: tsohogarba67@gmail.com

Fatima B. Salisu4. Department of Business Administration and Management, Kano State

Polytechnic. Email: fatimasalisu744@gmail.com

Yusuf Sulaiman5. Department of Business Administration and Management, Kano State

Polytechnic. Email: yusufreloaded@gmail.com

Being a Paper Presented at the 1st Multi-Disciplinary International

Conference,2021 with the theme ‘Educational Development as a Panacea to
the Menace of Insecurity with Focus on Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs)’.
A Multi-Disciplinary Approach. Organized By Maryam Abacha American
University of Niger Maradi, on 15th to 17th December 2021, Conducted at
Tavern Hotel Plot 30 Gwamna Road Kaduna Nigeria.

ABSTRACT
Continuous human capital decay in Nigeria has been attributed to poor academic background
where from the grassroots, students are graduated to the colleges of higher learning without
merit. This paper intends to highlight the challenges faced by primary education as a foundation
for higher learning as well as the roles local government councils could play in enhancing the
effectiveness of primary education. The author reviewed past literatures in relevant area of the
study and adapted a conceptual approach to the subject matter, in order to relate past to the
present account in the chosen area of analysis. The study finds that in all the literatures reviewed,
scholars were unanimous in agreeing to the fact that primary education has for long lost its glory
as the base rock of man’s search for higher knowledge in Nigeria. Currently, there is no
effectiveness in primary education not to talk of enhancing it. Therefore, scholars in research
should focus on providing effectiveness in primary education. The paper recommends among
others that primary schools teachers in Nigeria should be paid higher wages and salaries than
their counterparts at colleges and universities because their effort at developing man’s mental
faculty from early age is more rigorous.
1.0 INTRODUCTION

Education in the broad sense is the entire process of socialization by which the citizenry learn to
adopt to and where necessary conquer their environment (British Journal of Education 2016). It
is a process of transforming man into a homo sapien (Ethusani, 2003). Education makes man
survive the attendant rigors of the biosphere. It is undoubtedly, a dynamic instrument of change.
As a result, developed and developing economies have adopted it as a viable instrument for
effecting national growth and development. In spite of the existence of abundant natural and
mineral resources various countries including Nigeria, and the considering high level of input
which they contribute to national development, education has always maintained its position as
the foundation for sustainable development (Brend, 2015). The human capital is basically the
base rock of any thriving economy and therefore controls the inputs and processes necessary for
the transformation and upliftment of any societal value, norms and cultures. It is against this
backdrop, that every society or nation must educate its citizenry on knowledge, skills and
competencies so as to properly equip the populace with the right paraphernalia for combating
unwanted societal malaise – in 21st century.

Fundamentally, the basic skills required to transform the human person in this jet era are:

- Living skills
- Innovative skills
- Information and communication technology skills, these skills are clearly identified as
problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, analytical skills, communication skills,
collaboration, awareness of national and international issues, flexibility, civic and societal
responsibility, cultural and information literacy and scholarly enterprises (Nigeria’s
National Policy on Education, 2014, Unesco, 2015 and American Association of colleges
of Teachers Education).
Theoretical Framework

John Adam’s Stacey Equity Theory (1925-1984):

Equity theory was first formulated in 1963 by John Stacey Adam. It is a theory of motivation
that suggests that employee motivation at work is driven largely by their sense of fairness.
The theory contains two primary components which are inputs and output. A practical
application of this theory will help to explain why pay and conditions alone do not determine
motivation. In terms of how the theory applies to work, we seek to achieve a fair balance
between what we put into our job and what we get out of it.

The author underpins this work using Equity Theory because of its relevance in the
educational sector of our society. The theory has been used by various scholars in different
fields to justify the efficient and equitable supply of inputs for maximum production of
desired and efficient output. John Stacey Equity Theory is a process model of motivation. It
states that “the level of reward we receive compared to our own sense of contribution, affects
our motivation. The theory considers the concept of equality and fairness as well as
importance of comparison to others. The theory further explains that employees expect fair
reward for their inputs in the provision of the requisite maximum outputs. With respect to
compensation, managers should be able to address the four forms of equity. External,
internal, individual and procedural. The educational sector in Nigeria needs to apply in
practical terms, the six principles of equity in our schools especially at the lower level where
strong foundation is required. These principles are: making job description accessible, skills
based hiring, providing inclusive incentives, providing equitable access for all employees,
ensuring equitable benefits, re-evaluating your equity practices.

The local government authorities could derive a great deal of benefit by applying equity
theory in our primary schools so as to ensure fair and equitable reward commensurate to the
outputs of the primary school teachers. In more civilized societies, Finland for instance,
Primary schools and teachers are given paramount attention due to the vital roles they play in
producing quality workforce and decent members of societies.
Criticisms of Equity Theory

The main criticism of this theory is that it does not make any prediction about overpayment
conditions and how employees or individuals are going to handle those specific conditions. It
also does not take into account the individual differences that have a direct impact on equity.
As for this study, the theory is valid in that the reality of primary school teaching conditions
clearly portrays underpayment (low reward) as against the burden of work done by teachers
(output). Those individual differences have not also factored in the unanimity of perception
of underpayment by the teachers in particular and the society in general. Some researchers
also questioned the simplicity of the model. Their main contending issues with the theory
were that it has not considered a number of demographic and psychological variables that
affect people’s perception of fairness and interaction with others. On this, the author is also
of the view that these variables would have been better with equitable balance between
rewards and output which is the argument advanced by the theory. The author believes that
when issues of equity in primary education in Nigeria are properly taken care of, all other
things will fall in place.

2.0 Literature Review/Conceptual Framework

Primary Education

It is the kind of education given to children aged 6-11 and above years (FRN 2012). The age
group is the most suitable material for putting man on a very sound and concrete pedestal of
human initiation and molding into erudition. Children at this age require great deal of care
and handing, therefore they need great minds of higher knowledge to teach them. But that is
not the case in Nigeria, unlike many African and European countries across the world.
Competent teachers of higher qualification are more suitable for reading in primary schools.
But that has been lacking in Nigeria Primary Schools (Okan, 2012). As a consequence, this
relegated primary education to the background and unless this trend is reversed, Nigeria will
continue to produce half baked graduates of weak educational foundation. This is where the
local governments being the closest authority to the people at the grassroots will need to
make salient contribution by means of ensuring equity balance in terms of remunerations and
welfare of the primary teachers in line with the global educational standard and best
practices.

Roles of Local Government Councils in Nigeria.

Being the closest government to the people, the local government council has a significant
role to play in both social and economic life of the state in Nigeria. It is against this backdrop
that constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria clearly spelt out the important role of the
third tier of government thus:

a. Recommending to a state commission on economic planning of any similar body on the

economic development of the state.
b. Collection of revenues, rates and medical licenses fees.
c. Establishment and maintenance of cemeteries and homes for the infirm citizens and the
destitute.
d. Licensing of bicycles, trucks, canoes, motor parks and public conveniences.
e. Construction and maintenance of roads, streets, street lights, drainages and other public
highways.
f. Naming of roads and streets, and house numbering.
g. Birth registration, death and marriages
h. Assessment of privately owned houses or tenements for the purpose of hoarding.

Similarly, the local governments are also empowered by the constitution to provide and
maintain primary, adult and vocational education, the development of agriculture and natural
resources excluding mineral exploitation.

However, some of these roles are jointly shared between the state and the local government
councils. So, deducing lessons from the Adam’s equity theory, the states and local
government could make giant contribution to the promotion and enhancement of primary
education in Nigeria.
The Challenges of Primary Education in Nigeria

Education in Nigeria is the segment of the socioeconomic life of the nation that suffered
neglect and nonchalance from both government and citizens. The government on its side
failed in making viable educational policies that will bring about a paradigm shift in the
educational sector. The primary education is too important to be left in the hand of
incompetent teachers with low level of education because that is the incubation room for the
nation’s talent and workforce. In Switzerland for example, teachers are paid an average
annual salary of 68,000 dollars (41,000 pounds). This equivalent to N27,919,440 per annum.
N2, 326,620 monthly. I know even Nigerian professor does not earn this huge salary. Agreed
that Nigeria is a developing nation, but the gap is too wide and that is what application of the
import of Adam’s theory will help stabilize. Switzerland is followed by Netherlands,
Germany and Belgium in terms of highest paying teachers’ salary in the world. Nigeria
should also borrow a leaf from countries of the world so that in the next couple of decades,
the country may salvage the primary education and place it on a high pedestal of human
erudition.

Lack of Political Will

The adverse socio-economic condition in Nigeria and the failure of leaders to create viable
policies that will lead to growth and development after 22 years of the country’s return to
democratic rule is very alarming to every patriotic mind. Due to the backward nature of our
primary education and the school system, successive governments gave less attention to
issues of funding, provision of necessary infrastructure and supply of qualified teachers.
Given the tremendous significance of pedagogy, teachers and the problems in supporting
newly qualified teachers and absence of career development opportunities at the lower and
middle levels of primary education, there are reported cases of increase in the rate of
absentees and incompetent teachers in schools (Oloruntoyin, 2011). Adam’s theory of equity
proffered workable and practicable solutions in trying to relate balance between inputs and
outputs. So our leaders must learn that to be able to attain effective and efficient working
policies, efforts in the provision of the requisite manpower must come first. Such efforts must
start from the primary education by sanitizing and stamping out all the bottlenecks that cause
hindrance to the provision of skillful labor force which translates into ideal and conducive
learning environment.

Lack of adequate funding

Another major challenge facing the primary education is funding amidst rising cost of living
and cost of education. The schools needed rehabilitation, working materials and physical face
lift. But the current policy of primary education does not provide enough of these
requirements for effective teaching and learning atmosphere. Even with the universal basic
education program in place, primary schools’ education effectiveness is considered below
average. An effective primary education will ensure solid and sound background for higher
education. This is why at the higher level of education, you can easily identify mediocre and
dullards. Enhancing the effectiveness of the primary education is paramount and central to
the socio-economic growth of any nation. The educational system in Nigeria calls for fairness
to it to be satisfy the nation’s need for competent and properly educated labor force. Here
again, lessons can be drawn from the equity theory which rightly underpins this study.

Unless that is ensured through a collaborative effort between the local government council,
and the state governments at various levels, the problems of education pursuit and
incompetence of the ruling class and populace will continue to remain with us.

Ineffective primary education

Ineffective primary education entails so many consequences on our social and economic life.
Some of these can be summarized thus:

a. Institutional decay
b. Reduced productivity
c. Square pegs in round holes
d. Diplomatic embarrassment
e. Nepotism and favoritism
Institutional Decay: Most of the institutions in Nigeria suffer from this mess. You find that
the motto, corporate vision and mission of the institutions are not promoted due to the lacuna
in sound education and practical experience. Most institutions in Nigeria only exist
statutorily but are latent and non-functional. So many examples are there to cite such as the
police, customs, judiciary, legislature, executive etc. lack of justice and equity in the
discharge the duties of these institutions contributed immensely in the country’s institutional
decay and inertia.

Reduced productivity: The key to successful and enhanced productivity is sound

educational background. Standard Primary education is the much needed stuff to stock
knowledge into a human person. Because knowledge and productivity are directly correlated.
Another good lesson from Adam’s equity theory.

Square pegs in round holes: Ineffective primary education produces inexperienced

manpower. This translates into assigning good assignment to bad manpower. The resultant
effect is operational lacuna and inertia. Because unsuitable persons are placed at vital
positions and because of the distorted balance of comparing input and output, worse
consequence of this unfairness has bedeviled the nation.

Diplomatic Embarrassment: Due to poor academic background, most political appointment

and ambassadors find it difficult to discharge their duties. This mirrors the image of the
nation in bad shape. According to John Stacey Adam’s equity theory, you can only expect an
output commensurate to the input of your actions.

Nepotism and favoritism: Since the graduates are not well equipped with the requisite
knowledge and experience, the issue of who you know and who you are, dominated the labor
market. Paper qualification is made meal ticket. Not merit or talents are respected. This is
also pertinent to the lessons of Adam’s equity theory in that absence of proper and sound
education is the genesis of all evils. This is because sound and proper education teaches
morality which would in turn discourage injustice and unfairness.
Enhancing the effectiveness of Primary education

Primary education could be made more effective by inculcating entrepreneurship and

valuable education in the minds of the pupils. The term entrepreneurship is derived from a
French word ‘entrepreneur’ meaning a person who undertakes the development of a new
enterprise or a new venture at some level of risks. On the other hand entrepreneurship
education is the education that embraces skills building programmes, creative thinking,
product development and market negotiation, leadership training and wealth generation
(Kuratko, 2003) in the same vein, Ubah (2012) conceived entrepreneurship education as a
formal training to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes related to direct human and
material resources for business objectives and self reliance.

It is against this backdrop that this paper deems it fit to recommend more efforts at
entrepreneurship education in our primary schools so that the nation would have done justice
to the populace in terms of job provision in the case of paucity of white collar jobs.
Balancing primary education with entrepreneurial education will provide and equitable
atmosphere for self reliance and self development. Hence the lessons for Adam’s equity
theory are practically valid for our educational problems

The worsening economic condition, the resultant massive unemployment of graduate in

productive ages, the obvious moral degradation and societal decay, indicate that there is an
urgent need for self reliance education for our school children. This self reliance education is
entrepreneurship education which has a vital role to play in curtailing unemployment rate in
the country.

Summary

This paper clearly envisages that surely, the country’s search for sustainable quality
education and the accompanying policies aimed at engineering national development has not
still met the expectations of many Nigerians. The educational system which needed to be an
instrument for national reform and transformation has been weakened by long years of
neglect and bad policies. Primary education has not been very effective in providing the solid
educational foundation that could inculcate appropriate skills and mental development,
physical and societal competence as equipment for the individual to live in and contribute
meaningfully to the development of the society.

Enhancing the effectiveness of primary education cannot be achieved in a nation bedeviled

by incessant industrial actions, total collapse of educational system, lack of teachers’
commitment due mainly to organizational stress on one hand and bad policies on the other,
inadequate funding of education and lack of political will from the authorities. All these and
many more boil down to the absence of balance between what is fair and what is not and that
is what the equity theory employed in this study attempted to address.

Conclusion

As a consequence, Nigerian primary education kept progressing from bad to worse experts in
education would believe that there was no effectiveness to enhance in primary education in
Nigeria. Local government councils, therefore have a herculean task of creating an
atmosphere that will provide this much needed effectiveness in the primary schools so that in
the next decades, we may write on enhancing the effectiveness so far achieved in the interim.
The local government chairmen must liase with the state government in order to bring about
a paradigm shift in the adulterated primary education which is the reason for failed
government policies and strategies. Man is not born-tabula rasa’ and solid educational
background is what is needed to transform the entire educational system. Garbage in and
garbage our is the phrase which is in tandem with the theory that underpins this study

Recommendations

- Legislation is necessary which will mandate the state government to give primary
education more priority attention than higher education since there is enough men and
women with higher qualification now but have lesser requisite employment skills.
- Movement from primary to secondary level should henceforth be on merited quality
knowledge and not certificate only.
- Federal government must assist the local government in exploiting the privileges of their
autonomy in toto so that it could include both financial and political autonomy.
- Primary teachers should be paid higher wages and salaries than their counterparts in
colleges and universities because their effort at developing man’s mental faculty from
early age is more rigorous but wallow in abject poverty and dehumanized conditions.
- Government should ensure that the implementation of national policy on primary
education is objectively monitored for uniformity in the quality of products from the
nation’s primary schools.
- To enhance the effectiveness of primary education, the government must ensure that
teaching in primary schools is done only by tested and proven professionals.
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