A seasoned educationist, Mr John Bagu, on Sunday commended President Muhammadu Buhar1’s plan to provide functional education system in the country.
Bagu gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna while reacting to President Buhari’s broadcast to mark his one year in office.
The president had in the broadcast, announced plan to introduce education grant to support students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics, to lay foundation for human capital development for the next generation.
Bagu, a former Permanent Secretary in the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, noted that the plan, if well implemented, would change the landscape of education in the country.
According to him, an educational system that promotes sciences and technology encourages entrepreneurship and self-engagement among students.
“And this is what is needed to build a technology and industrial driven economy with assurance of higher efficiency and productivity.
“Based on the prevailing situation in the country, we need a paradigm shift from an education system that breed job seekers to a system that would produce entrepreneurs in all works of life”.
He expressed confidence that the country would reap from the initiative “if the political will is there and the resources are properly applied.”
Bagu advised that mechanism be put in place to ensure continuity to avoid interruption, which characterised the nation’s administrative system.
“Education takes time, and Mr President proposal may only come to reality many years after he has left office, therefore, what matters now is full implementation devoid of interruptions to reap the benefits.
“Our major problem is continuity; another person may come in with different priorities, but if the political will is there and there is continuity, we will surely get there, “he said. (NAN)