Elder Statesman laments Nigeria’s population increase, amidst poor funding of education sector

Retired Principal of Government  Community Secondary School Biu, Muhtar Bura has lamented the impact of population increase in Nigeria to education, adding that it has huge consequences.

Bura made this disclosure on Saturday during the old Students’ Association second Annual General Meeting (AGM), in Gombe.

He revealed that the sporadic increase in the country’s size required government’s improved and sustained funding to ensure quality of education delivery especially in public schools.

Bura said, “It very difficult and government may be number one, but due to population explosion. The resources given to education is not enough, when we were there we wanted to start two streams but we couldn’t because the available funds could not sustain two stream, so the other stream was thrown away.

“So due to population increase which has effect on funding and there are no enough classrooms.”

The Octogenarian highlighted the importance of special allowances for teachers to enable them function optimally.

“In those days level one is level, there was uniformity and there was allowance that was the difference. Government should give allowances to those who deserve it, especially teachers to cushion the effect of transfer,” he added.

Also speaking, Chairman local organising committee Emir of Akko, Umar Atiku lauded the efforts of government, adding that adequate sanctions should be meted on both erring teachers and students.

He stressed that government had a lot to do ensure law and order were upheld in schools.

Atiku said, “We think if government can wield the big stick that anybody found wanting in the discharge of his duty there should be punitive measures from suspension to withholding of salaries or outright dismissal. I think the government has a very big role here to ensure rules are adhered to this is where we are missing it.”