EDITORIAL: After The WAEC Debacle

THIS is not the time for scoring points and the hurling of brickbats; the situation is too dire for that. The WAEC results pertaining to the State of Osun require deep reflection and thinking necessary to effect urgent corrective measures. 

A key lesson here is the need for consistency and continuity of policies. The government of ‘Gboyega Oyetola, instead of continuing the much commended educational policies of the preceding government of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, went on a dismantling rampage which satisfied some people’s emotional needs. Unfortunately, the collateral damage done to the innocents is reflected in the WAEC result which is a repudiation of not only the advance thrust made, not just by the Aregbesola led administration but the theme of the administration of Western Nigeria from 1952 laid down by the avatar, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

There must be a reboot in the face of this disaster. The incoming government of Ademola Adeleke must look into and revive the institutional memories of the past which was so effective and beneficial.

This has nothing to do with partisan divisions; it is common sense. It’s catch up time! 

For example, it is painful that Kenya, two weeks ago made a policy pronouncement that Coding for pupils will begin from the age of five. This commitment by the Kenya government reflects the need to build a competitive economy for tomorrow. As has been said often, “the strength of an economy in twenty years time is reflected in the quality of today’s education” – Commonsense, really.

State of Osun and not Kenya should have blazed the trail. The Opon-Imo should have been built upon. The incoming administration must now make the budget readjustment for coding to take off from the primary school level within a year of inception. Nothing else will be acceptable. If it does this, its names will be written in gold.