Education is said to be the greatest legacy. In the old Nigeria, there was a great start to the provision of quality education to the citizens. Nigeria in her early days ranked as one of the best educated countries in the world. Free and quality formal education was promoted by the government of that day for all who were willing to be informed. Quality education was seen as a right of every citizen. Incentives were even promised to encourage formal education.
However, sustenance of any free system by a government of any nation is only possible when the nation’s population is small. It is an illusion to believe that the nation’s resources and revenues accrued from tax can always support this system. The free health and educational systems are failing all over the world; therefore it is pertinent that we rethink our methods. Most, if not all governments that operated this free system created a mindset of entitlement in their citizens. Those governments never taught the beneficiaries of this free system responsibility; that there might be a time when the government’s funds may not be adequate to run this free system as population explodes. For this reasons, we reach out to you.
It is no news that the Nigerian educational system is in a dire state and is one of the worst in the world. Many today have put the blame at the doorstep of the government because of an inbuilt entitlement mentality which has blinded them from the fact that education is a collective responsibility. It is this same mentality that has made some States promise free education to her people in election campaigns, without due consideration of its sustainability. In the old Nigeria, we had alumni associations, old-boys and old-girls associations that did not really do much for their alma-mater. These associations were more or less societies for friends to network and once in a while (perhaps in a milestone year) do some charitable work for their alma-mater.
In the new Nigeria, we must see our roles in the development of our alma-mater not as charity but as a responsibility and privilege. We cannot afford to fall into the same pit again, therefore we suggest to you today the Alma-mater scheme.
The Alma-mater scheme is a very simple but effective solution to transform the educational system at all levels in Nigeria. It is an active, convenient and consistent partnership scheme that puts the responsibility for change in the hands of the alumni, the people. It is neither for a few friends nor for a particular graduate-set. It is developed for every past student of the school. We should never forget that these schools (primary to tertiary) gave to us the platform on which we stand tall today, without them we could never have had the impressive curriculum vitae we possess today. Most often, we even brag about our alma-mater in our homes, offices and social clubs. A trip back to these institutes (especially public institutes) is a sad tale of dilapidation, decay and inhumane conditions.
Please, take that trip today and you will be convicted to get involved.
The meaning of education has gradually lost its essence in Nigeria as students are made to understand that the movement from basic to tertiary levels is just a means to obtain a paper (certificate, kpali). Education was designed to stimulate a man’s mind to aspire to contribute something of value to his community, his nation and indeed his world. It was planned in such a way to inspire men to become responsible for society and not just for the sake of obtaining financial security.
Fortunately, we can do something about this trend. We can set the standards once again in our alma-mater; world-class standards, the new Nigeria standard. We can and we will transform our former schools to the citadels of best learning. We would begin from the basics and then move to providing the extras.
The Alma-mater scheme could be a veritable tool especially in tertiary institutions to;
• Provide a conducive working, learning and living environment e.g. access to online education, standard auditoriums, offices, halls of residence(with internet access, laundry facilities and diners) for students and staff,
• Equip the institution’s libraries, laboratories, teaching hospitals and workshops,
• Fund globally relevant research projects and constant retraining of lecturers and staff,
• Organise commencement speeches, seminars on career advice and national responsibility,
• Provide scholarships (academic or sports) to deserving students and student loans,
• Produce branded souvenirs for sale at designated outlets to help raise more funds,
• Lead the furtherance of alternative energy (green revolution) by harnessing its advantages.
The new Nigeria has high standards for every citizen. But as we do this we must not fall into the same traps most governments have. We must constantly sink into the hearts of the beneficiaries their responsibility to set higher standards and provide the best facilities of the day for the generations coming.
The Alma-mater scheme has so many advantages but these are only a few. The scheme will help attract the best minds and hands interested in imparting knowledge back to our institutions of learning as it provides the necessary conditions and tools for quality education.
One beauty of the scheme is that it will outlive any generation, government or policy change because it is propelled by the people, the alumni. As long as a school churns out graduates, the scheme is kept alive. Another advantage of this scheme is the presence of constant and effective monitoring of the school’s activities by the alumni who fund these changes. As the saying goes, ‘where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’
So how does it work?
Very simple, it takes one inspired person, you, to reach out to others who attended that same school and do an assessment of the current condition of the school. Then you seek the best means of getting across to others; either by paid adverts or by personal search. Even while you are at this, you and the few others available can start work. A good place to start is by developing an operational structure that is founded on transparency and accountability to avoid exploitation of the scheme by unscrupulous individuals. If you have to seek legal counsel, please do!
Next, discuss and decide on the most cogent needs of the school and then seek out ways of solving them with the highest of standards. World-class is the way of the new Nigeria. The key is not just about beginning but beginning with the end in mind.
If you are 50 people who can commit to N500 monthly it would result in N25, 000 per month
This may seem little compared to the needs at hand but make the best use of this money. Most times we think that it is a function of the amount but sometimes it is more about sitting through to find the best use of that amount. You may start small but certainly you would not stay small. This change is a lifetime commitment not a onetime event nor is it achievable by a grand fund-raising ceremony.
It is a consistent and progressive solution. As much as possible, you should seek to employ the services of community artisans and labourers in infrastructure provision while upholding world-class standards.
Nigerians are very benevolent and ever ready to give to a worthy cause if only they are assured of integrity and proper use of their donations. As the scheme grows you may need to make donations more convenient; opening a mini-secretariat (to run the scheme) within the school or opening accounts for easy funds transfers or any other means peculiar to your environment. This scheme is designed to keep growing. Feedback structures should be put in place to constantly update all donors of plans and progress made. Suggestions also must be sought always from all members.
If you are 5000 people who can commit to N500 monthly it would result in N2, 500,000 per month,
If you are 10000 people who can commit to N500 monthly it would result in N5, 000,000 per month,
If you are 20000 people who can commit to N500 monthly it would result in N10, 000,000 per month
With such amounts or more coming in monthly, the school might actually decide to increase its influence to start providing some basic educational tools for its host community. This is in furtherance of the vision of the new Nigeria; a nation built by her people. Definitely, there will be some members of the alumni who would be committed to giving so much more on a monthly basis.
Apart from the provision of a world-class learning environment, educational facilities, stationery, uniforms and a higher education scholarship fund for the students, we suggest that other activities can be developed to directly impart knowledge, care, love and a sense of national responsibility to the students. Holding periodic interactive meetings which bring together the alumni, staff and students will also go a long communicating the goals of the new Nigeria. Such times may include activities like; quizzes, debates, voluntary community service, alumni reading/speaking to the students, showcasing of the creative works of the students may be encouraged, career advisory seminars, sport meets and so on. These activities would afford students the opportunity of getting inspired by ex-students who have climbed the ladder of society in different fields.
Also, it is important that major attention be placed on the welfare and development of the teachers of these students.
Someone once said, ‘if you truly want to know what our future would look like, go ask the teachers because they know what the children are learning.’
So, it does not matter what you may do for the students, if their teachers are not motivated nor sufficiently equipped, there can be no quality and sustained progress achieved. To this end, you should organise seminars, sponsor trainings, fund research projects, and provide access to quality information and basic support tools. These are all necessary to keep the teachers focused on the one major thing; imparting knowledge. While you are at it you must not fail to recognise and improve the welfare standards of the support staff in the school. These people may not be at the forefront of the educational activities but are so vital to the day to day successful running of the school.
The scheme may even consider providing at least one standard meal a day for each student and staff of the school. Also, an end of year bonus allowance could be structured for the teaching and non-teaching staff. These last suggestions may seem far-fetched but the extent to which this scheme may go to build the Alma-mater can be stretched to the boundaries of the imagination and will of each school’s alumni.
Remember, there was a time in Nigeria when access to educational funds, standard meals, quality accommodation, constant supply of basic amenities and other related support services were the basic rights of every Nigerian student. Together we can reinvent those glory days, we can transform the education sector in Nigeria and indeed sustain this change...we can get the structures, facilities, environments, and services of our public institutions to a point where they could be considered ahead of those of financial institutions within the country. We can make Nigeria a nation where foreigners come to seek quality education.
Let’s give ourselves (the alumni) something to really brag about; let’s create World-class institutes and produce World-class citizens.
(culled from the book: 'Thinking A New Thought')
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