WHAT EDUCATION IS NOT!

 The meaning and essence of education have been greatly misconstrued and misunderstoo in Nigeria.This clearly explains why the country and its citizens have not derived maximum benefits from it, the way it ought to. It is indeed a great concern, given the critical role education plays in the society. The subject has undoubtedly brought significant revolution to many societies across the globe - the reason it is usually described as the bedrock of development in the society. This means that any country planning for development must first start from the foundation, which is education. Outside this, meaningful and sustainable development cannot take place. Could this be the reason Nigeria is not developed after many decades of attempt? Shouldn't it be a good idea to go back to the drawing board, to verify if the foundation (education) is well laid, considering its inability to produce effective result? The digression may be found within the misconception of the subject, which every subsequent efforts would be counter-productive.

In view of the above, it is pertinent to critically x-ray the associated or surrounding challenges of the subject, especially by elucidating and broadening the scope of understanding, in order to place it on a sound and proper pedestal that will lead to yielding desired or expected result. On this note, starting with what the subject is not mainly concerned with, would help to provide adequate guide that will enable the understanding of what it is about.

WHAT EDUCATION IS NOT!

1. EDUCATION IS NOT MAINLY ABOUT ACQUISITION OF CERTIFICATES 

It may sound unreasonable in a way, but it is true. Over-emphasis on certificates above competence and skills is a prominent issue that characterizes Nigeria's educational system, making a lot of Nigerians believe that education is all about enrolling in school to acquire certificates. This attitude largely contributes to the alarming rate of examination malpractice in the country, pushing students to go to extra length to acquire certificates without possessing education, which has further reduced the standard/quality of education. it has guaranteed many false hope if being educated, simply because of the certificates acquired. This can also be attributed to the reason a lot of graduates are incompetent, unskilled, and under-employed - because they are incapable of defending the knowledge and certificates acquired in school. In this situation, they become unproductive and huge burden to the society, against the backdrop of what education in real or ideal sense represents. Education is definitely more than certificates; certificates are merely testament or a proof of one's education. Now, the issue is how people manage to acquire the testament without the main thing - education?

2. EDUCATION IS NOT MAINLY ABOUT COMMUNICATING IN ENGLISH EFFECTIVELY (SPEAKING GRAMMAR).

Many Nigerians view education in this manner - if one is able to speak or communicate effectively in English, he or she is regarded as educated. Whereas, such people may be lagging or have deep gap in character. However, this doesn't also mean that the educated should be found wanting in effective communication. This alone does not make one educated; it is not also a top priority in education mix. Therefore, as much as one cannot be educated without effective communication, it should be clearly expressed that education is far more than effective communication.

3. EDUCATION IS NOT MAINLY ABOUT HAVING A GOOD MEMORY TO ACCOMMODATE IDEAS

Having good memory alone does not make one educated. Many have got this but continue to live wayward, unprincipled and irresponsible life. Such people do not create impact or contribute in solving social problems, because ideas/knowledge acquired from having good memory have not affected their characters or passed through them effectively. That is why they claim to be educated, yet are very corrupt, not law-abiding and cannot defend or stand firm on the side of the truth and justice. From inception, educated people are known for being upright, truthful and honest; they fightor pursue the course for a just society - the reason it is said that education is the bedrock of development, because where educated people exist, social equality will be guaranteed, while social discrimination will be eliminated. What they represent or stand for in the society are basic ingredients (justice, equality, freedom and stability) that will help accelerate development. If those components are lacking, development will continues to elude the country.

4. EDUCATION IS NOT MAINLY ABOUT SCHOOL ENROLLMENT 

Many people in Nigeria have earned the name 'uneducated graduate', probably because they only passed through school while the school did not pass through them. They got school enrollment but unfortunately, nothing was built or cultivated in them to justify their enrollment. It is not all about seeing the four walls of a school, the question is what can you d?, How has your reasoning been affected? How have your world view, values and perspective been affected, in relation to social expectations? Having excellent attendance and rprobably esults do not directly translate to character formation, it is only a fulfilment and a process that will result into the character formation. So, Nigerians should not claim being educated for having school enrollment, the misconception should be erased - I mean the myopia iwhich is part of the reason the country is very backward.

5. EDUCATION IS NOT MAINLY ABOUT PASSING EXAMINATION WITH FLYING COLOURS

Many have continued to argue that examination is not a true test of knowledge. is it also believed that it is a true test of character? Through examination, many have passed the knowledge test, but continually fail the character test, because their knowledge only exist in the brain, perhaps as a result of having good memory; not being internalized in the sub-consciousness, in a way that will change or affect the character, in line with social norms. Education is much more than passing examination excellently and recording school enrollment.

WHAT THEN IS EDUCATION?

If education is the bedrock of development in the society, and there exists a misunderstanding on the subject, resulting in underdevelopment, there is a serious need to re-invent the wheels, in order to trigger a paradigm shift and attitudinal re-orientation that will help in steering the course of sustainable development in the country. Nigerians must know what education is ideally all about. Because outside that, standard of education cannot be discussed and measured successfully - how will one determine the standard of something they barely know? Does question like why are certificates usually issued as testament for finding graduates worthy in character and learning stir up or stimulate curiosity? This is an indicative of the fact that the subject of discourse is basically concerned with two main things, which include:

1. Education is socialization

The transfer of customers and tradition including social norms, existing body of knowledge, e.g. Agriculture, Biology, Government, etc; skills and technologies, that will enable one understand and appreciate the society better, and to be able to use same in solving it's problems/challenges in other words, the knowledge acquired and used for social good is what education is. For emphasis, Nigerians should know that education is acquired for the purpose of understanding better the working of the social system or the working of an aspect of the social system, in the case of higher education which one only focuses on a branch of knowledge. It cures ignorance and makes one well informed. Since a problem known is half solved, social problems become easier to solve for those who are well informed (the educated).

2. Education is character formation or character development.

The knowledge socialized or transferred should not only be stored in the brain, it should be well personalized and practicalized - to enable one conforms to Social institutions and system. It is impossible for people to conform to social norms if they have not been thoroughly taught (learning), for the knowledge to shape conduct and behavior; affects character accordingly, In order to become responsible citizens. The above is in agreement with the perspective which education is defined as learning or inculcating social norms, conformity and standard, as well as learning social adjustment, tolerance and maturity. The sole aim of learning in this regard,  is for the purpose of solving social problems, be it at the personal/individual level, which is a unit or sub+set of the society, or at a larger scale. For instance, when one uses the knowledge and skills acquired to make ends meet (means of livelihood - MOL), the problem of unemployment is reduced, while average income per head and standard of living (SOL) are also positively affected, and the multi-plier effects keep expanding. On the whole, the ideal essence of education should be revisited by Nigerians, if it must be the bedrock of development.