Universal Primary Education in Nigeria and Uganda: Restore the Teaching Profession, Restore Democracy

Abstract

If they [Nigeria and Uganda] are unable to provide quality education to go along with the universal access to primary education, their systems of education will fail and larger notions of participation and national responsibility will not develop. This will thus leave both countries susceptible to returned military rule and continued poverty. As each country renews its commitment to UPE [universal Primary Education], it must also bolster its current teaching force and ensure a strong future teaching force. This must be done through decentralized control, revitalized and expanded teacher training programs, salary increases, added professional development, and new systems of accountability and management through partnerships with outside NGOs. The present paper discusses past and current educational policy in each country and the prospects of reaching universal quality primary education given reforms in the institution of teaching. If these countries fail their own teachers, then the entire educational system will fail. The fate of the future of Universal Primary Education in Africa hangs in abeyance. [From introductory section]