Assessment of Basic Education and Its Challenges in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

The goal of Universal Basic Education is a vision worthy to sustain veritable development in the society especially in areas that lack relevance due to poor educational facilities and paucity of funds. Basic education provides avenue for it to keep the government and its people enlightened to ensure that acceptable societal values and developmental steps are taken to sustain a life of economic productivity. However, inspite of the laudable intention of government to promote basic education, a lot of challenges are still visible. These ranges from poor funding on the part of government to inadequate facilities in schools, shortage of teachers as well as incompetence on the part of educators in primary and secondary schools. This study therefore seeks to examine the current state of the State Universal Basic Education Board in facilitating basic education in Osun State, Nigeria towards fostering national development vis-à-vis the challenges being faced by the Board in achieving the goal of basic education. Data were sourced from books, journals, newspapers, and government publications using desktop research approach and analytical methods. Findings showed tremendous achievement by the SUBEB except for the challenges of shortage of teachers, non-readiness of teachers to go to rural areas, which are being addressed. The study concluded that SUBEB should not rest in its efforts at ensuring provision of sound basic education in Osun State.