Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
September 18, 2015 – Experts in educational development have canvased for a system that rewards excellence in academic performance as a viable way of raising the standard of education in Nigeria.
Editor-in-Chief, New Lagos Times, an educational publication made the remarks while speaking at press conference to unveil Prestige Awards of Excellence in Education in Lagos.
He said that a reward system that purely encourages academic excellence will help in raising the standard of education since it will make people to strive for excellence.
He called on government to make adjustment in policy that will change the trend. Olowu who also condemned the state of infrastructural decay in public schools, explained that ratio of teacher to students is too high thus making it impossible for attention to be paid to each of the students in the classroom.
He pointed out that the budget for education in Nigeria has been rated by United Nations Education and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) as ranking among the lowest in the world and called on government to make changes so as to make positive impact in education.
He said that about 20 distinguished Nigerians will be recognized during the award coming up 21st November, 2015.
Toping the 20 categories is the Best Student of the federation which he said may come with a car as reward.
Others are Educational Brand of the year, educational newspaper of the year, educational television station of the year, Best school in Lagos(secondary and primary school), best higher institutions in Nigeria, educational governor of the year, educational radio programme of the year, educational television programme of the year, best corporate body in academic sponsorship, human capital development platform, educational song of the year among others.
He said that the theme of the award is ‘Tomorrow starts now’, adding that the theme was chosen to highlight the latent but pressing need to reinforce education beyond the for walls, igniting creativity and innovations towards global relevant.
He said the judges are professors chosen from the academic circuit and that the best will be judged by criteria which also include voting for some categories and that details of the awards are found at newlagostimes.com/prestigeawards.
In her submission, one of the organisers of the award, Miss Olayiwola Olawunmi attributed falling standard of education to lackadaisical attitude of teachers.
