24th February, 2016
The Afenifere Renewal Group has expressed concern over the poor performance of students in the results recently released by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) nationwide.
The Chairman of the Group, Olawale Oshun, expressed the concern in an interview with the State House correspondents shortly after a visit to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Reports indicate that only 38 per cent of the students obtained five credits in the examination.
Oshun described the result as very poor even in the South West, and urged the Federal government to hands off secondary education for improved efficiency.
He said that it would be good if the Federal Government reviewed the educational policies in the country.
“It will be necessary of course for the Federal Government to look at the educational system, the educational policies that are conducive and likely to raise the standard of performance.
“Because, in any case, when you talk of empowerment that is the best empowerment that you can give to our children.
“And it is necessary that we look at education from the angle of devolution of powers so that the Federal Government divests itself from direct participation in secondary education, focusing on tertiary education and laying down essential policies and allowing the federating units to focus on those levels of education, vocational, secondary such that you can have a greater efficiency at that level.”
The Afenifere chieftain also stressed the need to ensure devolution of powers in other sectors.
According to him, this will allow the federating units to participate at levels at which they are much more efficient to handle projects as well as handle issues that affect the well-being of the citizens.
Commenting on the outcome of the visit, Oshun said that the vice president was pleased with the concern raised by the group on how to raise the standard of secondary education.
He said that the group was assured of the Federal Government’s determination to prioritise education.