Farewell to primary education in Nigeria, by Dayo Thomas

I recently returned to my village, Ponyan in Kogi State, and visited my former primary school, accompanied by my nephew. As we walked through the familiar grounds, a wave of emotions washed over me, and I struggled to catch my breath.

Memories of my adventures with my friends, Oye Babatimehin and others, flooded my mind. Before me lay the remnants of a bygone era, a time when primary school was a truly transformative experience. Our education went beyond academics, instilling in us morals, values, and culture.

I entered primary school in 1976 and left five years later with unforgettable memories. Many of my friends rode rented bicycles, but my father graciously provided me with one. We played traditional games like skipping ropes, drank stream water, and shared snacks without ever getting sick.

We were resourceful, creating our own toys and building trucks from empty cartons. Our khaki uniforms and slates were symbols of pride and joy. Despite our parents’ modest means, they showered us with love, not material possessions.

I often struggle to convince my son that we didn’t have cellphones, computers, or video games. Instead, we had real friends, a sense of community, and a simpler way of life. We trekked to school barefoot, carrying metal boxes on our heads. Now, we drive our kids to school.

We enjoyed free public education, but now we pay heavily, for private schools. Our parents taught us to listen and respect them, values that have stayed with me till date. Despite growing up in a simpler time, my memories are rich and colorful, filled with joy, love, and community.

We learned the six essential components of education in primary school: wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Lakaye), integrity (Omoluabi), valour (Akin), honour (Iyi), work ethics (ise logun ise), and the value of wealth. Many of my friends and I developed entrepreneurial skills, learning basket weaving, broom making, sewing, and moulding clay.

Our classrooms were filled with engaging tales and riddles that made learning fun and interactive. My late mother’s teachings had prepared me well in this area, having taught me over 16 proverbs at a young age.

To be a teacher then, one needed more than just a paper certificate. That was when teachings were handled by teachers. Our education was complemented by proper home training, emphasizing the importance of remembering one’s heritage and upbringing.

I recall a memorable incident when my mother noticed a new pencil in my possession, different from the one my parents had provided. Her words, “Don’t take what doesn’t belong to you,” still resonate with me today.

Sadly, times have changed, and one of the worst affected is our primary schools. Today, primary school pupils possess valuables that even workers can’t afford without a visible means of income.

Our school days were filled with activities that prepared us for life, including compulsory craft and home economics classes, morning chores, and clubs and societies that fostered teamwork and leadership.

However, those days are now a distant memory. The school buildings stand as relics, a testament to the decline of our education system. This rot is not limited to my alma mater but a general feature of primary education in Nigeria, with visible consequences on society.

Primary schools now lack the necessary infrastructure to prepare young minds for the future. Instead, we rely on private schools operating on tiny plots of land, driven by profit, a far cry from the comprehensive education we once knew.

As I stood there,, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future holds for our children. Primary school is too important to be left in the hands of businessmen and women; it should be handled by the government with utmost priority.
A flood of unforgettable memories washed over me. I recalled the day our school hosted a distinguished Councillor from the Local Government, a time when honor and integrity were the hallmarks of governance.

Another memory that stood out was when a former Governor of Kwara State, Governor Ofere, visited our school. The excitement was palpable, and I’m still at a loss for words to capture the electric atmosphere.

But the most unforgettable moment was when our school played host to an international figure, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then presidential candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria. What made his visit even more remarkable was his dramatic arrival by helicopter, touching down on our school grounds precisely on schedule, as promised.
Religious institutions should also be more involved in running and administering our primary schools, as they have been a catalyst for development in the past.