Briefly discuss the challenges of Educational planning in Nigeria and suggest solutions

Introduction

The importance of education in the development of any nation cannot be overemphasized. There is an increasing belief in the power of education to transform the society. Hence, for education to play its leading role in the development of a nation, it needs to be planned properly, the success of any educational system depends so much on planning.

Planning is a term that is applicable in all spheres of life. To this end, each and every one, every organization or even groups should at all times be involved in the activity of planning, so that set objectives will be realized. Educational Planning has been defined by various experts from their various angles or views. To this end, Coombs (1970) describes educational planning is the application of rational, systematic analysis to the process of educational development with the aim of making education more effective and efficient in responding to the needs and goals of both the students and the society.

Problems of Educational Planning in Nigeria

Educational planning is faced with many challenges. Ololube (2013) highlighted the following as problems of Educational Planning in Nigeria.

1. Inaccurate Statistical Data

Lack of adequate and accurate statistical data has been one of the greatest impediment to educational planning. Nigerian education systems have failed to effectively plan because of lack of accurate data, which is because of the use of mediocre to prepare data for use in the planning and forecasting processes. Noun (2009) disclosed that the process of educational planning in Nigeria is also hampered by the critical problem of inadequate statistical and demographic data. For any meaningful planning to be carried out, statistics is very crucial. The educational sector has not adequately harnessed the Educational Information management system to receive, store and distribute adequate data for educational planning and subsequent development.

• Inadequate Skilled Personnel:

For any meaningful planning to take place there is need for adequately trained manpower to manage the planning of any nation. Inadequate number of training educational planners is one of the most serious constraints militating against effective planning of in Nigeria. Most educational planners in Nigerian do not have complete competence in planning. Qualified planners are the single most significant resource that can lead to greater and efficient planning productivity and performance. Noun (2009) submitted that lack of sufficiently well trained personnel in the planning units of the Ministries of Education is another problem. The units in the Ministries therefore lack specialist such as educational planners, statisticians, programmers, and analyst, who could effectively develop and ensure successful execution of plans. This is partly as a result of the rigidity of the educational system which is not responding adequately to the need to place people who are trained in the area of educational planning in the appropriate position. The wrong notion that anyone who has served in the Ministry of Education for a long period could automatically occupy such planning units in the Ministries having their directors of planning as people who just rose through the ranks without any cognate experience in the skill of planning.

• Technological Problem

Technology has changed every aspect of human life  all over the world; this has necessitated every venture that want to progress to take note of technological advancement. Georgewill (n.d) thinks that lack of paying attention to emerging technological innovations planning mechanisms is one problem that educational planning battles with. The success of Nigerian education planners depends upon their ability to identify and respond to technological changes in other to elevate their planning output. Over the years, a number of technological changes have taken place that involves the introduction of modern advancements into the planning process and approaches, and understanding emerging issues related to educational planning and development.

• Insufficient Funds

Inadequate funding of educational planning is a major problem affecting planning of education in Nigeria. Ololube, (2013) submitted that the budgetary allocations that are available for educational planning in Nigeria is nothing to write home about. Funds provide for education planning is too small for proper planning to take place. The condition of the sector remains a thing of concern. Under-funding and systemic corruption makes the matter worse. The insufficient funding of the education planning sector stands as one of the major factors working against effective planning and implementation of education programs. Noun (2009) remarked that another related problem that is encountered in the process of educational planning in Nigeria is that of economic constraints. Adequate allocation of resources is necessary for a successful implementation of educational programme. However, due to political consideration and the high rate of inflation educational programme in the country have tended to be unrealistic in relation to available resources. The planner tends to underestimate the cost of such programme and continues to overestimate the anticipated revenue with which to execute the plans. This situation had been worsened by the worldwide economic recession.

Political Instability

Political Instability is one problem that affects developing nations as leaders usually comes with their plans as there is no lasting plans, or some change plans and systems for their selfish interest. The existing political arrangement has influenced the control over educational planning in Nigeria. Political instability has had its toll on educational programmes. Planning process started by one administration is brutally interrupted by the next and the differences between federal and state government education policies are quite challenging. The inability of the Nigerian political structure does not allow for education planners to be accountable for their wrong doings (Ololube, 2013).

• Poor Capacity Development Programme

Poor capacity development programme of educational planners in the various ministries and department of education is another major factor slowing down the planning of education in Nigeria. Majorities of educational planners working in the ministries and agencies of government in in charge of planning are not constantly been exposed to training and retraining programme. Ogunode, Gregory & Abubakar, (2020) did a study with the purpose of assessing the political officeholder attitudes towards.

• Lack of political will by politicians

One of the primary challenges in educational planning in Nigeria is the insufficient commitment and dedication of politicians to prioritize education. This lack of political will leads to inadequate funding, limited resources, and a lack of comprehensive policies that can address the diverse needs of the education sector. Without strong political support, it becomes difficult to implement necessary reforms and ensure sustainable improvements in the educational system.

• Population explosion

Nigeria is experiencing rapid population growth, with a large percentage of the population being young people. This places significant pressure on the education system, resulting in overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, insufficient teaching staff, and limited access to quality education. The educational system struggles to cope with the increasing demand, leading to a decline in the quality of education provided.

Solutions to Problems Bedeviling Educational Planning

Below are some solutions that when put in place they will adequately solve some of the problems bedeviling educational planning in Nigeria.

1. Provision of adequate Data:

Educational Institutions, and other related sister agencies should provide adequate and accurate data for educational use, and this information should be distributed to the appropriate authorities promptly without delay. Effective information management system should be made in the country. There is need for modern information technology facilities like the computers, fax machines internet services etc for effective educational planning (Sanda, 2006).

• Provision of Adequate Funding

Ministries, Parastatals and other educational financing agencies should ensure that they making adequate provisions for educational planning, knowing fully well that planning is very crucial to the success of the entire venture. Sanda, (2006) posits that for any successful programme, there must be enough fund to serve as an important tool. Fund should be provided by the government for the provision of all necessary facilities to ensure effective educational planning in Nigeria.

• Incorporate technology into educational planning:

Government and other educational stakeholders should provide a technologically enabled environment for the proper running of educational planning using the most current technological equipment. These technological gadgets would make planning more accurate, effective, efficient, fast and reliable. Effective information management system should be made in the country. There is need for modern information technology facilities like the computers, fax machines internet services etc for effective educational planning (Akuh, n.d.).

• Employment of Skilled personnel

Educational authorities should ensure that only skilled personnels are employed to man the planning department. They should understand that planning is the most integral part of education success in any nation; great or small.

• Attitudinal reorientation:

All stakeholders in the education sector should have a holistic change of attitude towards the educational development of the nation. as sound education is a veritable instrument through which our all-round developmental dreams can be achieved. Corruption and corrupt ional tendencies must be abhorred in totality.

6. There is need for total restructuring of the ministry of education in order to make Planning, research and statistics unit more viable and vibrant. This unit should he made up of experts and professionals who would be ready to discharge their responsibilities dutifully and diligently with little or no supervision. Furthermore, periodic seminar on capacity building (on – the – job training) should be given to the members of staff of Planning Unit of the ministry of education to enhance their capacity and effectiveness.

7. Laws should be enacted by the National Assemble to make it difficult to change educational planning activities by just presidential pronouncement. Institutions should be made more powerful than individuals.

Conclusion

Education is the greatest investment that a nation can make for the development of its economic, sociological and human resources. But for this investment to be properly harnessed adequate planning must be in view. However, educational planners are faced with many challenges as outlined in the study, but if the solution given in this study are put into consideration it would go a long way in remedying the situation

References

Coombs, P.H. (1970). What is Educational Planning? Paris: IIEPUNESCO

Georgewill, B. O (n.d) Educational Planning In Nigeria: Problems And Approaches

Noun (2009) Concepts and Theories of Educational Administration and Planning EDA 811

Ololube, N. P. (2013). The Problems and Approaches to Educational Planning in Nigeria: A Theoretical Observation. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. 4. 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n12p37.

Sanda, M. U. (2006). Issues and challenges of educational planning in Nigeria in the 21sl century. In: Farfaru Journal of Multi-Disciplinary studies. Vol, I (1). P453-458