Outcomes-Based Education and SAP: Nigeria

Author： Geo-JaJa Macleans A. Mangum Garth

ISSN： 1441-340X

Source： World Studies in Education, Vol.3, Iss.2, 2002-01, pp. : 81-102

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Abstract

This article illustrates the way the objectives of structural adjustment might have been accomplished without essentially destroying education in Nigeria, and recommends an outcomes-based education approach for Nigeria which could serve equally well in other developing nations. Africa needs to decolonize her educational systems, her curricula and even her teaching methods. ‘What is needed is an educational system that seeks to enhance the full capacity and capabilities of human beings while ministering to the socio-economic needs of Africa’ (UNESCO, 1998: 8). We call for policy redirection toward the human dimension of development and seek stakeholders’ reaffirmation of education as the essential tool of all development. The key message of the article is that the ongoing austerity programs have been secured at unfortunately high human cost-high in terms of lost output, military adventurism, social instability and declining quality of education.