NAL president: Quality of admission seekers into varsity system dropping

Sola Akinrinade, president of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) has lamented the declining quality of applicants gaining admission into the Nigerian university system.

Akinrinade spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a policy workshop with the theme “Strengthening the educational system in Nigeria through STEAM”.

The workshop was organised by the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), the NAL, and the Nigerian Young Academy (NYA).

While noting that the standard of education at the basic and senior secondary levels has increased, Akinrinade blamed poor implementation on the quality of students seeking university admission.

“Our problem has to do with the implementation of the standards, capacity for which has become suspect over the years,” he said.

“The poor performance transcends the boundaries of disciplinary groups hence, interventions such as ours must be holistic.

“STEAM education encourages innovation, reduces poverty, and provides beneficiaries with the appropriate tools to improve their lives and those of others.

“If through this intervention, we succeed in building alliances for the proper implementation of STEAM education at the basic and senior secondary levels in the country, we will have made a great investment in the lives of future generations of Nigerian youths.

“If we going to achieve our objectives of building a knowledge-based economy through STEAM education, then we cannot discountenance the importance of proper policy planning.”

At the event, Ishaq Oloyede, registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), said it is important that Nigeria adopts a holistic educational approach that combines scientific knowledge with artistic expression, ensuring a well-rounded experience for future leaders.

“In June 2022, my office received a well-crafted application from the Nigerian Academy of Science to the effect that JAMB should help in advancing the frontiers of knowledge through STEM education,” he said.

“However, when the proposal went to management, it was vigorously debated and the ultimate decision was that, at this stage of our development, it is better to advance towards STEAM education. This counter-proposal was sent back to NAS and accepted by both NAS and NAL.

“Today, we are witnessing the fruitful collaboration between the two leading academies, creating a platform for the tripod of NAS, NAL, and the Nigerian Young Academy (NYA).

“The two academies and the youth have now proposed ways to advance STEAM education at primary and secondary educational levels in Nigeria designed to contribute to improving the uptake and quality of education in Nigeria.

“This will be through the implementation of engaging inquiry-based teaching and learning techniques and other hands-on activities.

“We call on all who plan educational projects and curricula to always involve the students and the youth to enrich the program and synchronise it with prevailing realities.”