Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: - Education - Nairaland
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| Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 7:51am On Oct 21, 2013 |
Nairaland Educational Debate: Grand Finale Ladies and gentlemen, the educational aficionados, the cerebral analysts and pundits, respected Nairaland intelligentsia and commentariat, observers and watchers, it's our pleasure to welcome you to the Second phase and Grand Finale of the first edition of the NAIRALAND ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL DEBATE. For those who have not been following, you may go through the history here: Nairaland Annual debate planning first phase history Submission of essay and discussion that followed: Educational Debate phase one:Essay Submission Education debate submission:Discussions TOPICS- TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA SHOULD BE FREE DATE Saturday, October 26, 2013 THE GLADIATORS Mazi_Omenuko (oppossing) Samtolly4Jesus (supporting) Aliciakeys [opposing] Deschyko [supporting] CHIEF JUDGE Obinoscopy JUDGES Tgirl4real Jarus Caracta Afam4eva Ishilove Uju_Sizzle CHIEF COORDINATOR Olawalebabs COORDINATORS Fynestboi Richiez CHAIRMAN Mr Seun Osewa GCFR-NL Mark Zuckerberg of Nigeria CEO of Nairaland and Nigeria's youngest billionaire TIME: 1:00hrs- 5:00hrs No African time  Thread locked to be declared open 1:00pm on debate time. For extensive reading on history, planning, etc, and further discussion, pls click here: Nairaland Annual debate planning thread |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 9:08am On Oct 21, 2013 |
1.) All four contestants who made it to the Grand Finale will have to confirm their availability for the debate a day before the debate proper. Failure to do so will result in the defaulter being replaced with the 5th contestant in waiting. 2.) The recommended font size is the default size (size 8.) and the colour is Green for the supporting side and BLUE for the opposing side. Please note that you are to use the designated colour all through the debate period. 3.) The essay should be in maximum of 750 words. 4.) The use of SMS language and abbreviations are strictly forbidden. 5.) All materials used should be properly referenced at the end of the essay. 6.) All essays, responses and conclusion must be submitted within the stipulated time frame stated in the time schedule as posted by the coordinator |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 9:38am On Oct 21, 2013 |
DEBATE PROCEDURE 12:10 – Chairman, Seun, gives opening remarks; thread hits front page 12:25 – Debaters and judges take seats, register presence 12:55 – Coordinators, OlawalebabsFynestboiRichiez declare the debate open 1:00pm – 1:30 - Debaters post their arguments. Within 30 minutes. Better if less than 750 words to make it easier for judges to read all, but no harm making it longer. The arguments will be veiled (hidden) until after all the 4 debaters have posted theirs, so there wont be after-thoughts nad modifications. 1:30 – 2:00pm – The argument-posts shall be unhidden for all, especially debaters and judges to read and study 2:00 – 2:20pm - A debater takes on his opponent, attempts to puncture his opponent’s points. This a debater does by quoting, highlighting the area to puncture and countering it i.e regular way to reply on Nairaland. 2:20 – 2:40 – Debaters respond to punctured areas in his earlier arguments. He may buttress further. 2:40 – 3:00pm – Judges post questions to debaters either based on what the debater has posted or just reasonable question within the theme. Judges should be specific as to who they are posting the questions to. E.g “Mr ...., could you expatiate what you meant by so so so? or ...., pls give examples of your claim that xxxx”. This is not compulsory. A judge that doesn’t have question to post to the debaters need not do so. 3:00 – 3:20pm – Debaters respond to questions raised by judges 3:20 – 03: 40pm – 2 Questions will be entertained from the audience i.e viewers. This will be based on ‘fastest hand’. The coordinators will announce ‘audience, you may now ask your questions’. After the 2 questions have been posted, any other viewer-post will be hidden. NOTE: -The judges and audience can throw their questions without quotations but the contestants should answer with quotations and separated for each questions. 3:40 – 4:00 – Debaters respond to audience questions and concludes their arguments. Debaters who were not asked any questions can still conclude his/her arguments. 4:00 – 4:20 – Judges compile the scores and mail to coordinators: fynestboi@yahoo.com 4:20 – 5: 00pm Coordinators announce results. Thread thrown open for regular Nairaland discussion. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 3:25pm On Oct 25, 2013 |
JUDGING CRITERIA (5 marks each) 1. Presentation (opening, flow, closing, response to judges questions, audience questions and contestants rebuttals) 2. Logic of arguments 3. Strenght of facts, examples, cases. 4. Persuasiveness 5. Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the subject |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 3:32pm On Oct 25, 2013 |
Please while the debate is going, only the debaters, judges, coordinators, Chairman and Supermods(if need be) can post. It is only at the audience question window that a viewer can post on this thread. Pls let's comply, default attracts 5 hours ban(duration of the debate). You can however comment simultaneously at thePlanning thread Thank you. Debate starts by 1:00pm on Saturday. Come and witness the mother of all e-debates on the biggest section of the biggest online forum in Africa. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 12:15pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Judges, please confirm your availability on the debate time on the planning thread. Thanks |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 12:30pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
The Admin and Owner of NL, Oluwaseun Osewa, The Supermods, Mukina2 and Semid4lyf, The Human Resources Personnel, Obinoscopy, The Judges, My Co-Mods, The Brain behind this initiatives, Fynestboi, The Education Sections Movers and Shakers, The Contestants, Ladies and Gentlemen, In an era, when the internet is synonymous with scams and fraud, it gladden my heart to see the 'future leaders' coming together and forming a bond that exists beyond the e-world in order to improve and impact the society positively. This debates is coming at the appropriate time when we continue to have a decline in the reading and writing habit of our youth, this we believe his our little way of re-orientating society about the important and benefits of positive criticism through debating. To the Judges, I thank you for volunteering to work on this project considering your other offline schedules, I implore you to do your best, as we can't possibly satisfy everybody, just do as your conscience is dictates. To the debaters, you are the focal point of this projects, educating and informative arguments is what we expects from you, don't see this as a 'do or die' affairs, play by the rule and at the end of the day, we will all be happy to be part of this laudable projects. This speech will not be complete without acknowledging the untiring and coordinating prowess of the initiator and brain behind this project. Fynestboi, you have shown truly that you have passion for what ever you do, just keep up the good work, definitely, the sky is your limit. I hereby declare the debate open. Thank You, Olawalebabs 2 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 1:00pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
1:00pm: The debate is herely declared open. Debaters, pls post your arguments. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 1:03pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Pls only debaters and coordinators are allowed to post now. Any other poster risks ban. Read the instruction well pls. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Richiez(m): 1:05pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
This is the grand finale, so debaters I urge you all to put in your best as lots of people are waiting eagerly to read your write-ups. let's get the ball rolling! |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by DesChyko1(m): 1:05pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
CONTESTANT 4 TERTIARY EDUCATION IN NIGERIA SHOULD BE FREE According to Wikipedia, tertiary education refers to any education where you can study at an educational level that follows the completion of a school providing secondary school education. It is normally taken to include undergraduate and postgraduate education as well as vocational education. In Nigeria, the main institutions that provides tertiary education includes universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, institutes of technologies and nursing schools. Of over 200 tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the federal government manages about 26 universities, 21 polytechnics and 20 colleges of education [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] amongst others. The state government, religious outfits and private owners manage the rest. Despite the rise of the cost of tertiary education to over 1000%, it's quite bemusing that there is still a great deal of disparity as to whether tertiary education should be free in Nigeria. It only takes one to appreciate the relevance of tertiary education to both the community and country to admit and second that indeed, tertiary education needs to be free and open for all eligible candidates for the benefits are second to none. Nearly every country in the developed and developing world provide free primary and secondary education. This is generally uncontroversial and accepted as necessary by both liberals and conservatives around the world because these education are viewed as fundamental rights of young individuals. Why then should this most sincere consideration be denied tertiary education? Every individual has the right to access the knowledge tertiary education affords, being a treasure trove of knowledge to be gained and experiences to be had. This is a once-in-a-lifetime personal, intellectual and spiritual exploration governed by questioning norms and conventions, instead of being all about instructions and orders as in secondary schools and our professional lives [ 4 ]. Even as it may appear that the population of students would obviously increase, this is a welcome healthy competition since in tertiary institutions, analytical skills take precedence over the ability to memorize, an opportunity to shape individuals' view of the country and themselves, creating deeper levels of relationship between citizen and country. This is, undoubtedly, the duty of the country, which is equipping citizens with the wherewithal to take meaningful part in the democratic process [ 5 ] . Without proper education, individuals can never be duly effective citizens and denying individuals this right to live aright, this opportunity to be what they should be as bonafide citizens, is outrightly criminal and unjust, a direct violation of their right to live. A tertiary-educated populace is of insurmountable value to any country. This is reflected in the extensive advantage it provides to a country. Countries of the Western world that promote a culture of smart economy have substantial comparative advantage in terms of production of services and high technology [ 6 ] . Thus, by facilitating higher education, Nigeria would most definitely increase the likelihood and quantity of investments in her economy due to the availability of educated and skilled workforce in abundance, a trait considered critical when business investments make decisions in this 21st century. Unarguably, the success of every country depends largely on their extensive investment in education. The country, if mindful of what she desires, must, and will strive to make it come to fruition. Intense concern, country-enforced law and order associated with the country's interest would definitely come into play in this promising investment of the country's future. Also of an equally direct benefit to Nigeria, is the preservation of the nation's cultural identity. Financial constraints, buoyed by the defection to the quick-money science/technology and commercial fields, has seen fewer and even fewer people actually retain interest in the study and research on the country's rich culture. This has left a gaping dent on the longevity of our identity. It is only normal that the government strive to encourage more people to actively devote their time to understanding much more about themselves: their place and relevance to the world, by giving them a comfortable platform to work on. A free tertiary education is the means to reinforce this patriotic desire of ours. to be continued 2 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by DesChyko1(m): 1:09pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Continuation It is quite mind numbing that despite the collective efforts of the country to counter racism and promote unity, discrimination chooses to rear its ugly head in the education of the masses, the very essense which is believed to hold only complete good for all and sundry. The cost of tertiary education in Nigeria has continually surged upwards, as the years roll by. For instance, Obafemi Awolowo Univerity, Ife (OAU), used to be heralded as the cheapest university in Nigeria, with their tuition fee pegged at N3,000 in 2003. A decade later, the tuition fee is almost N60,000, signalling an increase of 2000% in just a decade!! And might I add that this is a federal government-owned university, thus, orthodox to be cheaper than the state-owned and private universities. This is the trend all around Nigeria and what does that mean for the masses?? Only the financially-stable get this networking opportunity to meet people and obtain the much sought after degree. Degrees are viewed as signs of individual, intellectual and professional quality. Without a university degree, many paths are permanently denied, thus, access to careers and beneficial connections furnished by tertiary education is being made the province of the wealthy and privileged alone. This locks the less-privileged into the economic strata they were born and raised in as getting out becomes more difficult when denied access to the most high income jobs [ 7 ] since tertiary educated workers command significant wages and are less likely to be unemployed than the less educated workers [ 8 ] . The eligibility to attain tertiary education is now being defined by the accident of birth, and not by true merit. This, my friends, is the face of the less-privileged in our country today, a hideous discrimination behind the facade of the much-needed education and the government's insouciance. A typical scenario occured in Imo State in 2009, when the student protested the increment in their tuition fee from N20,000 to N50,000. There were outright protests and indeed low turn-up of payments by the students and in response, the school authority utilized their semester examinations as leverage, denying them the opportunity to sit for them should such fees remain unpaid before hand. This action galvanized some students to walk the extra mile to raise the fees, albeit legally or illegally. Those who couldn't pay up missed their semester exams for that session. As if to rub salt into the festering wounds of the living dead, an announcement was made about an impending hike of the tuition fees to N150,000. Students protested heavily with pen and sword, to which the then tyrant of a governor, now ex, Ikedi Ohakim, replied that such education is for the wealthy alone[9]. It broke hearts to see students in depths of despair within that period. This sentiment is outrightly pernicious and must be ameliorated. Financial barriers must not be allowed to limit potentially high-worth individuals from reaching high levels of success. The leaders of tomorrow should all have the chance to prove their worth, whether rich or poor. Eliminating tuition fees will permanently break down the cultural braces and rebuild social connections between these two often isolated groups. Were Michael Faraday, the poor-child-turned-father-of-electromagnetism, be a Nigerian of this age and time, most probably he would remain just Michael Faraday by birth and naught more, for the knowledge abounds within the walls of the tertiary institutions, one which he not 'born' to attend. to be continued 2 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by DesChyko1(m): 1:10pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Continuation The common reactions would be that it would be an expensive project for the government to undertake, but for a country which had been projected to have the highest average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the world for the next forty years, according to world acclaimed Citigroup, in a country where 469 lawmakers earn N240 million each as salaries and allowances (ten times more than their US counterparts) [ 10 ] , in a country where millions of naira are being channelled into white elephant projects before our very eyes, in a country where so much is being spent on comparatively lesser-effective tuition techniques, personnels and research, I would say channelling of funds into tertiary education is not so much of a 'risk'. Knowing the value of tertiary education, how does it appeal to you that it is being considered a 'risk' the federal government cannot take to educate its masses? With an efficient allocation of resources and proper management of funds, this is a responsibility that can be deftly nurtured. Being aware of the disconnect between the cost of tuition and the quality of instruction, there are cheaper, considerably very effective means of education that the federal government can induce into their tertiary institutions, such as the widely embraced Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), where with a computing device and an internet access, one can learn live from the best professors in structured problem solving environments [ 11 ] . According to Wikipedia, Canada, one of the countries to have successfully implemented free tertiary education, allocates only but 7% of its budget to education, including tertiary education, and are reaping huge rewards, as the country now has more graduate professionals impacting the nation, precisely 1 in 7 as opposed to 1 in 10 Canadan citizens [ 12 ] . Progressive introduction of free education as initiated and currently undertaken by Canada would do us no real harm. Conclusively, committing to mind the inestimable importance of tertiary education, the following question must surely remain asked and answered: "Should tertiary education for a significant proportion of the citizenry, sufficiently important for the proper functioning of the society today, be considered a public good and not a privately purchased consumer product?" If you admit it is indeed important for our societal improvement that everyone gets the chance to show their worth, then welcome to where I stand. There may be random unproven jabbers about the drop in quality of tertiary education should it be free, but as we look at the primary and secondary levels where it is being applied, as we look back at the inter-school competitions we had back then, we remember how frequently contestants from the government-owned schools graced the events. Thus, this unproven criticism on the quality of the unfairly maligned free tertiary education is but a castle in the air. As famed speaker and leader, Abraham Lincoln rightly pointed out in the letter to his son's teacher, 'Only the test of fire makes fine steel'. Thank You. NOTES 1. Universities in Nigeria - Federal Univeristies in Nigeria. Available: http://www.fuoye.edu.ng/discover-fuoye/universities-in-nigeria?start=1 2. National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). Available: http//www.nbte.gov.ng 3. Federal Colleges of Education Act|The Complete Laws of Nigeria. Available: http//www.placng.org/lawsofnigeria/node/110 4. Key Degree 2010. "How to reap the benefits of college". Available: http://keydegree.com 5. Swift, Adam. 2001. Political Philosophy : A beginner's guide for students and politicians. 6. Department of the Taoiseach. 2008. "Building Ireland's Smart Economy: A framework for sustainable economic renewal". Government of Ireland. Available: http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/attached_files/buildingirelandssmarteconomy.pdf 7. Tribune Opinion. 2005. "Education paves way out of poverty". Greeley Tribune. Available: http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20051225/SPECIALB0411/112250053 8. OECD. Education at a glance. 2011 9. The Legacy of Chief Ikedi Ohakim in Imo State | IMO STATE BLOG. 2012. Available: http://www.imostateblog.com/2012/10/13/the-legacy-of-chief-ikedi-ohakim-in-imo-state/ 10. Derenle Animashaun. Nigerian lawmakers are the highest paid in the world - Vanguard News. 2013. Available: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/08/nigerian-lawmakers-are-the-highest-paid-in-the-world/ 11. Vijay Govindaragan and Jatin Desai. Research innovation. HBR Press. 2012 12. Education in Canada - Wikipedia. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Canada[/color] 4 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Aliciakeys(f): 1:13pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
[color=#006600] CONTESTANT 3 TERTIARY EDUCATION SHOULD BE FREE: OPPOSING Education in Nigeria is overseen by the Ministry of Education, having the Minister of Education in the realm of education matters. Local authorities take responsibility for implementing policy for state controlled public education and state schools at a regional level. The education system in Nigeria is divided into kindergarten, primary education, secondary education and tertiary education, our interest today being in tertiary education. Tertiary education, also referred to as third stage, third level or post-secondary education, it is the educational level following the completion of the secondary education. World Bank defines tertiary education as institutions that teach specific capacities of higher learning such as universities, colleges, technical training institutes, nursing schools, research institutes, centers of excellence and distant learning centers. Tertiary education generally culminates in the receipt of certificates, diplomas or academic degrees. As a result of the oil boom years of the 1970s, tertiary education was expanded to reach every sub region of Nigeria, presently having over 150+ institutions, consisting of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Should tertiary education be free or not? That argument has caused the rise of so many topics, threads, debates etc. we have to structure the unstructured structures of our academic system without punctures if this concentrated acid of free tertiary education must be diluted. For me, the epicenter of this issue remains that free tertiary education in Nigeria is a NO considering numerous factors and determinants. Talking about free tertiary education, we really need to understand the concept. Free tertiary education in the aspect of free tuition fees, accommodation, feeding and weekly or monthly stipends. You will definitely know why it is a NO. Much as I am a supporter of free education, I do not subscribe to the escapist concept of making tertiary education free. If we must attain the height that we have set for ourselves as citizens and as a nation, then free tertiary education should not cross our minds even for a split second because I am yet to comprehend how tertiary education which is poorly funded and bedeviled by always striking lecturers will be operational if the education is made free. Presently, there is an ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike which has lasted for four months now and still counting, this is just but one out of the numerous strikes undergone by different unions of tertiary institutions, how then do you expect the government to foot the bills if the burden of sponsoring billions of students on a free tertiary education scheme. You need not be told that the education sector is not the only sector been managed by the government, with other sectors such as agricultural, oil and gas, textile, tourism sectors etc. what then will happen to these other sectors when funds are spent for the so-called free tertiary education? That will lead to neglect of these sectors that are the capital-intensive sectors in Nigeria therefore leading to a backdrop in Nigeria’s already depreciating economy. In order to make tertiary education free in the true sense of the word “free”’, there has to be a drastic rise in tax rates because free tertiary education needs people (tax payers) to actually raise the funds for the supposed scheme. Countries like Denmark, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina etc have very high taxation at around fifty to seventy percent (50-70%) per year per income. Raising taxes in Nigeria during a time of economic meltdown would be damaging and counter-productive and ultimately would not help the society. Even as a nation we can not afford to foot the bills for free tertiary education, according to Nigerian University Commission (NUC), the number of tertiary institutions in Nigeria is over one hundred and fifty (150), multiply that by the number of students admitted per year, multiply that again by the amount paid as fees for each student, that will be running into trillions of naira. Calculation; 150(estimated number of tertiary institutions) * 450,000(estimated carry capacity of institutions) * 30,000-150,000 naira(estimated student fees); that gives us roughly ten trillion naira, when it is just an estimate. The actual figures will be jaw-breaking and you expect the government to fund that in the name of free tertiary education, like it is the only problem Nigeria is tackling. Free tertiary education means that parents or guardians who do not have children or wards in tertiary institutions must pay for families who have like four to five wards schooling, through tax payment, this is practically unfair. When people are struggling to survive, they should not be saddled with the unjustified responsibility of paying for someone else’s future, all because of free tertiary education. Gone are those good old days of informal education, days when daughters learnt from the mothers and sons were groomed by the fathers. The days of informal education are now hearsays, all thanks to civilization in the form of formal education. Back in those days, there was this special kind of inseparable bond that existed between the parents and the children during the period of educating them because the children tend to like, respect and value the role their parents play in their life. Nowadays, parents work from dawn to dusk while children are sent to boarding schools fro month to month, year to year, only to call up their parents or guardians for fees and allowances. They still value the act of their parents or guardians sponsoring their education, love and respect is shown in appreciation, now you want to take away that link between parents and children by calling for free tertiary education. Free tertiary education, meaning that the parents would not participate in the funding of his or her wards education, which alone will cause a gap in parent/child relationship because the child tends to think that he or she can survive in school without funds from parents. If there should be free tertiary education, you will notice that number of calls to parents and students returning home will really depreciate to a drastic level. This is what I call “PUTTING ASUNDER”, putting asunder in the sense that the government now takes over the responsibility that rightfully belongs to the parents or guardians of the students. If we all are allowed to narrate the lovely experiences we go through whilst asking for fees and allowances from our parents, we will get to prove that it is filled with moments of advices and refreshed bonding, hence keeping the intimacy and respect intact. Have you ever stopped to imagine the effects of free tertiary education to parent/child relationship? I bet you will not entertain the idea of free tertiary education if you should imagine the effects. Generally, free things they say have no value because it is believed that it has lost its’ worth. Same thing goes to making tertiary education free, it will loose its’ acclaimed value it has been known for over the years. We belong to the era when the abuse of education has become the order of the day. We belong to the era of juvenile extremism and effervescence, where our values are not only confused and intrinsically defective but also counter-productive. Harvesting from the chaos of free tertiary education are students who loose value in the supposed free education Have a field trip to any public secondary school where the government pays, you will notice what has become the order of the day; truancy, bullying, non-attendance to classes and at the end poor grades. Poor grades not withstanding, the students are constantly moved to higher classes at the end of each session, why? The answer to this is not far-fetched; the answer is because it is FREE, the fees of such a student can not be paid again for the same class, hence he or she is pushed on to the next class. I am citing this example, because my junior secondary school (JSS1-JSS3) education was done in such an environment. This is the situation in secondary schools, you now wonder how it will be like when tertiary education is also made free, this will be a graduation of youthful frivolities from amateur to professional. Can we as individuals and as a nation stand that? It is a NO. Why then are people canvassing for free tertiary education? Please have a rethink. If you know education is expensive, try ignorance. Those who know the lifetime importance and value of education work tooth and nail to acquire it. Tertiary education is an investment, you can not allow the government invest for you while you reap the profit. Over future is a personal race for self and maybe family members and so should not get the society wholly involved. A person who gets a tertiary education can expect to earn more in their lifetime than someone with just first school leaving or A levels. If we stopped making excuses and put the effort in, we could all afford tertiary education even if we did have to work from dawn to dusk. We just have to acknowledge that the four to seven years of living on the breadline is worth it for future profits that the degree shall reap. Such an investment is an once-in-a-lifetime deal and not one the government should have to make on our behalf. Have you ever felt this great feeling of accomplishment after doing something so successful and thrilling? I bet you, that is how one feels after graduating from a tertiary institution, knowing what he, she or sponsors (parents or guardians) passed true, with the struggles and efforts, that feeling will be taken away if the government makes it all rosy with the free tertiary education. The number of students graduating from tertiary institutions yearly and struggling to get a graduate level job is increasing steadily, therefore why should government fund free tertiary education when the amount of jobs for graduates are running low? Provide lucrative jobs, provide security, provide electricity and provide good schools, and we will handle our education to the very last. Thanks. REFERENCES tertiary institutions in Nigeria/ Nigeria Education Profile definition of tertiary education/ econ.worldbank.org tertiary statistics indicators/ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) statistics number of tertiary institutions in Nigeria/Nigerian Universities Commission official website tertiary institution strikes in Nigeria/ Premium Times free tertiary education in countries/ higertimes.co.uk tax rates in countries/ rate.webcrawler.com carry capacity of Nigeria tertiary institutions/ slideshare.net.com amount students pay in tertiary institutions in Nigeria/nigeranjobs.com 5 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by MaziOmenuko: 1:20pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Tertiary Education should be free: Against Tertiary education is considered the third stage of education in a person’s life. It is post-secondary education and includes studying at universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, schools of nursing and midwifery, technical training institutes etc. Currently in Nigeria, free education is offered by the government at the primary and secondary school levels alone but not at the tertiary level and with good reason. Advanced education is generally expensive; both in establishing, maintaining, running and, most especially, acquiring it. Should it be made free? The answer is No! I will give reasons for that. It is a well known fact that education is expensive. If it is made free for all, then the government will be the sole financier of the education sector. Nigeria might be blessed with abundant resources and generates good revenue from it, but providing a free education for an over increasing population of 160 million people with over 41% of this population in the catchment area for this free education will totally cripple the economy. If funds accrued from sale of crude are used to fund education in the country, we will be left with little or nothing to take care of other basic amenities such as health care, security, infrastructure and roads. Based on the type of leaders we have in this country, trusting the sole funding of education in their hands will result to a suicide mission on the education sector. It is actually a laughable suggestion to entrust the total financing of tertiary education to the government. This is because the government has proved times and times again to be unfaithful in keeping to agreements. They prefer spending money on frivolous projects such as maintaining unnecessary amount of presidential fleets, buying bullet prove cars at ridiculous prices, building official quarters for themselves and funding unnecessary projects for their first ladies. Our education system will self-destruct if entrusted in their hands as sole financiers. Making tertiary education free will definitely compromise the quality of education offered. There will be a ‘crowd-mentality’; the education and certificate acquired from it won’t be valued any longer. People will take advantage of the free education by not challenging themselves to sit and learn; but most likely play truancy and disturb others from learning since they are not paying for the education. Also, free higher education will definitely reduce the quality of the degree awarded by tertiary schools. As more people will enroll for these degrees, employees will have less regard for it; thereby demanding higher post-graduate degrees like Masters and doctorate degree and a good number of years of experience before one can be employed. At the long run, a first degree becomes utterly useless in the labor market. A free tertiary education will definitely cause what I would like to call “inflation in the labor market”. This is a situation where many degree certificates are pursuing fewer jobs; and at the end of it, none will be gotten. Since there will be tons of graduates if this scheme is implemented, we will end up having fewer jobs with desperate graduates. The more desperate they become, the more likely they will be to accept good jobs at lower pay. We will end up having graduates working as labor slaves due to desperation. Crowd mentality is another negative effect of free tertiary education which cannot be overlooked. This crowd mentality will lead to reduced manual workers, skilled technicians, welders and others as people will prefer running after the paper certificates so as to get white collar jobs. Instead of a free tertiary education system, I would recommend a subsidized system of education. In this system, the government will be responsible for funding the tertiary institutions to some extent while the school further generates funds from subsidized school fees, charity organizations and government established trust funds. Through this funding, the tertiary institution will carry out its major research and infrastructural development projects. Also, I will recommend the issue of educational grants, loans, scholarships and bursary payments to students as against an outright free tertiary education. With this in place, exceptional students can get funds in form of scholarships to continue their education, while others can get soft loans from the government which is payable over specific period of time. This is what is obtainable at the United States and most European countries. In the same vein, attention should be paid to technical and vocational studies that do not require university degree but apprenticeship and in-house training. By so doing, some students can enroll into these vocational centers and obtain skills. Countries like China and India give more credence to this system of education and we are all witnesses to the how their economy has benefited from this system. It is certain that those advocating for free tertiary education would be citing finances as the main point. They would argue that the poor deserves education too. Everyone deserves education: both the rich and poor; but are we willing to sacrifice other facets of life in our quest to appease the so called poor? If my recommendations of incentives and scholarships in the paragraph above is followed, then the poor can benefit from schemes such as loans, grants and scholarships by working hard to meet up with the criteria for the award of scholarships. By so doing, the poor will have access to quality education through the incentives. My opponents might also inform you that there are countries that run free tuition for their tertiary institutions. They will suggest that if other countries can do it, why can't we? This line of argument, on its own, is a variant of “my friends are jumping off a bridge, and I’d like to join them.” Do these countries actually provide free tertiary education? They mostly have small tricks which they pull in other to sustain such programs. They introduce fees which are not called tuition but are mandatory for students. Also, they provide tuition free for some students (usually those who score high) and then introduce high tuition for others. This is the same scenario adopted by the governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha when he declared free education at tertiary level. He introduced a fee called "acceptance fee" for new students at a price as high as N30,000; which would have been enough to cover both the school fees and accomodation of a student not enjoying the free education scheme. Also, he made the free education only for indigenes of Imo state; and by so doing, charge high tuition for indigenes of other states. So in all, it wasn't free per say. Generally, education is a very important factor in national development and should not be toyed with; both in quality and otherwise. It is expensive without subsidies as seen in the private universities in Nigeria. The cost of providing a free tertiary education would outweigh the benefits to the society. As they say in the streets; "better food na money kill am"; let us invest quality money on education and reap the much desired results. References; 1. Education forum: the new millenium. www.innovation.gov.au/highereducation/TertiaryEducation/Pages/default.aspx 2. Swedes students voice out concerns on free education m.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/05/the-high-price-of-a-free-college-education-in-sweden/276428/ 3.How European countries run their free education higheredstrategy.com/countries-with-free-tuition/ 4. Reviewing Rochas Okorocha free education policy in Imo State. An online publication by Peter Opara Clever nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/reviewing-rochas-okorocha-s-free-education-policy-in-imo.html 4 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Samtolly4JESUS(m): 1:25pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Tertiary education also referred to as Higher education is the educational level following the completion of a secondary school. Tertiary Institutions include Universities as well as institutions that teaches specific capacities of advanced learning such as polytechnics, colleges, nursing school amongst others. [1] Now, if we were to describe Nigeria in all honesty, we would say she is a developing third-world country thoroughly stricken with ignorance and battered on most sides with poverty. Back to the course of the essay; Should tertiary education be free in Nigeria? Of course Yes! Tertiary Education should be free as a right. The government already fund primary and secondary school comfortably, there is no logical reason why it should stop there. The usefulness of an ordinary secondary school certificate is fast advancing into oblivion in this 21st century. The country needs all the intellect and brain it can garner to make a better society. By giving free tertiary education, the government would provide a level playing ground for everyone. An average Nigerian has barely enough to afford a decent three square meal. Already depraved on standard living, it will be sheer injustice to deprive such of quality education to better himself. School should not be about who has money, it should be about who's smart and motivated enough to attend. Precious brains waste away on the streets on the basis of lack of school fund. Pure injustice! Yes! I understand Knowledge is precious and it must be in exchange for something, but must the exchange be in monetary value? Aren't there a thousand and one way to recompensate the Government for free educational fund? An opponent might even argue further that tertiary education should be subsidized and not made completely free. As logical as this may sound, it is highly unfeasible in a corrption-feasted country like Nigeria. So called subsidized federal universities now charge about #50,000 for merely acceptance fee. Most state universities also demand around #200,000 as fee per annum. How ridiculous! I repeat, until tertiary education is free in Nigeria, it might never be affordable. It high time we paid attention to the brain and not the money! I cease the imagine what would have happened to Young Goodluck Jonathan who had no shoes if Education wasn't free in his days. Same goes for most of our prominent leaders and statesmen who had no rosy background. Still baffles why they've failed to reciprocate this invaluable gesture of free tertiary education. Forever will i commend sages like Obafemi Awolowo who knew the gross importance of free education at all levels especially to a developing country like Nigeria. Ignorance is darkness; Education is light. Is it really wise to sell this 'light' to the fortunate few only? You already know the answer. Thanks. Ref. 1. Wikepedia. 4 Likes |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 1:29pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
1:30 – 2:00pm – The argument-posts shall be unhidden for all, especially debaters and judges to read and study |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 1:30pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
. Fynestboi: 1:30 – 2:00pm – The argument-posts shall be unhidden for all, especially debaters and judges to read and studyjudges and debaters time starts now. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 1:44pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
The debaters should get prepare to take on each other's arguments. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Samtolly4JESUS(m): 1:47pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Sire Mazi, I beg to disagree on your 'crowd mentality' point. School shouldn't be for everybody, it should be for whoever is smart and motivated enough to attend. On your loan/grant and subsidiary point; it is totally unrealistic in a country like Nigeria. How many pupil actually benefits from these schemes? Let's face the fact bro. 1 Like |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 1:52pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Fynestboi:dnt start now till 2pm. Thanks |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by MaziOmenuko: 1:54pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Samitole4jesus: You mentioned that the value of secondary school certificate is going into oblivion; after you mentioned that it is offered free in the country. Don't you think the same thing will happen to the degrees obtained from tertiary institution if it is made free? 1 Like |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by MaziOmenuko: 1:58pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Samtolly4JESUS: Sire Mazi, I beg to disagree on your 'crowd mentality' point. I believe with you that school shouldn't be for everybody. The crowd mentality will arise when education is made free. It is then advised that this scheme must not be implemented. @bolded, I wonder why you think its impossible for the government to be able to manage subsidized education but you heartily posited in your write up that the same government should be allowed to implement a free education scheme. How possible do you think that is? |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 1:58pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
.: The debaters may now take on each other's arguments. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Fynestboi: 2:00pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Just 20mins the time starts now |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by MaziOmenuko: 2:04pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
♥Dεs•Chγκσ♥: Did you also consider that you are asking this same country with all these faults to offer free education and fund it completely? The faults you highlighted above strengthens the argument that their should not be any free education as the government can't be sincere enough to fund it. 1 Like |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Samtolly4JESUS(m): 2:09pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: Samitole4jesus: A university degree is a professional degree. Unless such am individual in under-baked, there will always be a way to carve out a good future. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by Samtolly4JESUS(m): 2:15pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: If its free, its free. No compromise. Subsidy is a mirage in Nigeria. If the government can comfortably manage plethora of primary and secondary schools, tertiary level shouldn't be an exception. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by MaziOmenuko: 2:16pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Dechyko; in your essay, you posited that the rise of the cost of tertiary education has risen to over 2000%, using a case study of OAU within the last decade. Did you also put into consideration the inflation rates and value of the naira when making that statistical comparison? It will be shallow to compare just figures without considering that the value of naira in 2003 isn't the same in this 2013 and the difference could result also in the increase of school fees. |
| Re: Nairaland Educational Debate: Winner :::ALICIAKEYS::::: by DesChyko1(m): 2:18pm On Oct 26, 2013 |
Mazi_Omenuko: [color=blue]Tertiary Education should be free: Against |
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