Implementation of universal primary education in Kano State, Nigeria: some economic and social implications

Abstract

Nigeria's Universal Primary Education (UPE) scheme, which was launched in 1976, must be seen as one of the most ambitious educational projects in African history. This thesis studies the impact of UPE on the economies and societies of one of Nigeria's 19 states. It elucidates the main objectives of UPE from both the national and the Kano State perspective g and assesses the extent to which the goals are being and will be achieved. The three main objectives discerned are reduction of imbalances (regional, urban-rural and male-female), provision of education as a human right and expanded schooling as an investment. It is emphasised, however, that the most important underlying motive is political.

Although the study is mainly concerned with Kano State and Nigeria as a whole, much discussion is broadly applicable to other developing nations which also seek to achieve UPE. It is clear that the project's success depends on qualitative as well as quantitative factors. Three different aspects, or 'levels' of quality are examined. The first is a classroom conception and is internal to the school system. The second relates education to the labour market, and the third takes a yet broader view of the impact of UPS on social change. The study concludes that though in the early years UPE made major quantitative advances, at each level of quality it displays serious shortcomings which will partly preclude its usefulness. It is suggested that. the general popular and official conception of education is regrettably narrow, and that benefits could be derived from integration of the Western-type and Islamic systems and from greater emphasis on nonformal and adult education. It is also noted. that the most important decisions on the educational system. are often taken for political rather than for strictly educational reasons, and that the planned social changes which the school system is able to effect are very limited if not accompanied by other economic and political reforms.