Since Mr George Weah, Presideent of Liberia requested for some 6,000 Nigerian teachers to help jump start the training of Liberians, to boost the West African Countries economy, many Nigerians and non-Nigerians have aired their views on the issue. Whilst some posit that it will further drain Nigeria’s already depleted teacher reserve, others submit that is will boost sub-regional cooperation.
However, a different School of Thought holds that it is another road to Zenophobia, the like of which we saw in South Africa.
Be that as it may, we at Afro-Global Education Consult would say that it is a step in the right direction if the following steps are taken by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).
First, the FGN should ensure that structures are put in place to protect the lives of properties of Nigerians who go to Liberia under this and any other arrangement to teach and engage in other businesses.
Second, the FGN should make it mandatory that teachers salaries are paid as and when due otherwise, it could become a curse on Liberia and Nigeria, rather that a blessing.
Third, it would smoothen the road to economic recovery for both countries as both countriues would be encouraged to engage in international trade to a volume that will boost both economies.
According to the BBC report, “Liberia’s new president has put education at the top of his agenda, saying previously his government will pay all university exam fees for every student, though it is unclear how he will fund the plan after describing the government as “broke”.”
The big question waiting for an answer is, if Liberia is putting the Education of its citizens at the top of its agenda, will Nigeria equally do so?
As far as we are concerned, Nigeria’s pool of qualified teachers will be affected drastically when this project kicks off. The only remedy is to produce more teachers back hope to replace those those that move over to our sister nation.
We there call on Alh. Adamu Adamu, Nigeria’s Education Minister to ensure that Teacher Education in Nigeria is protected by legislation, the type that will encourage more Nigerians to pursue a rewarding career in education.
Afro-Global Education Deliveries 