OMINDE COMMISSION

This is why upon attainment of independence and in line with the pledges made by Kanu in its campaign manifesto, the first education commission was set up in 1964 under Prof Simeon Ominde, which went ahead to do a number of things.

One, recommended a new educational system — 7-4-2-3 and second, change of management of schools. Arising out of the recommendations, Parliament enacted the Education Act in 1968 that formally transferred ownership of all public schools to the government. Subsequent legislation has anchored that.

Increasingly, however, the role of churches, always referred to as sponsors, has been diminished and to date, restricted to nominating three representatives to school management boards and offering spiritual or pastoral programmes.

Equally and even substantively, the faiths have raised concerns about discipline and morality in schools. The dominant view is that the faiths have been key through pastoral programmes and care to instil discipline in schools and create a conducive learning environment.

That reduced role of faiths in school affairs has caused a vacuum and given way to disorder manifested in increased cases of riots and unrest. Inasmuch as that argument holds, it must also be observed that discipline is not squarely a consequence of religious inclination; it is an inbuilt and self-conceived ethos.

UPSET FAITHS

Cumulatively, it is the loss of those responsibilities and influences that have upset the faiths and consequently, for a couple years, forced them to fight to reclaim old mandate. Opinion is divided, but the fundamentals are as follows. One, reverting to the old status would necessitate policy change. And that must be debated.

The current Basic Education Act (2013), while bestowing the responsibility of managing schools to the ministry, allows the minister to publish regulations to delegate the responsibility of managing certain aspects of basic education to recognised institutions or entities.

Article 53 (1 and 2) of the Act reads as follows: “Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Cabinet Secretary shall by regulation entrust the governance or management of any aspect of basic education and training to any agency, body, organ or institution as may be appropriate for the purposes of this Act.”

OMINDE COMMISSION

This is why upon attainment of independence and in line with the pledges made by Kanu in its campaign manifesto, the first education commission was set up in 1964 under Prof Simeon Ominde, which went ahead to do a number of things.

One, recommended a new educational system — 7-4-2-3 and second, change of management of schools. Arising out of the recommendations, Parliament enacted the Education Act in 1968 that formally transferred ownership of all public schools to the government. Subsequent legislation has anchored that.

Increasingly, however, the role of churches, always referred to as sponsors, has been diminished and to date, restricted to nominating three representatives to school management boards and offering spiritual or pastoral programmes.

Equally and even substantively, the faiths have raised concerns about discipline and morality in schools. The dominant view is that the faiths have been key through pastoral programmes and care to instil discipline in schools and create a conducive learning environment.

That reduced role of faiths in school affairs has caused a vacuum and given way to disorder manifested in increased cases of riots and unrest. Inasmuch as that argument holds, it must also be observed that discipline is not squarely a consequence of religious inclination; it is an inbuilt and self-conceived ethos.

UPSET FAITHS

Cumulatively, it is the loss of those responsibilities and influences that have upset the faiths and consequently, for a couple years, forced them to fight to reclaim old mandate. Opinion is divided, but the fundamentals are as follows. One, reverting to the old status would necessitate policy change. And that must be debated.

The current Basic Education Act (2013), while bestowing the responsibility of managing schools to the ministry, allows the minister to publish regulations to delegate the responsibility of managing certain aspects of basic education to recognised institutions or entities.

Article 53 (1 and 2) of the Act reads as follows: “Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Cabinet Secretary shall by regulation entrust the governance or management of any aspect of basic education and training to any agency, body, organ or institution as may be appropriate for the purposes of this Act.”