By Chidinma Ogu
The Principal, Loral International Schools, Lagos, Mr Ben Uzoukwu has said that the many challenges facing the education sector in the country are not insurmountable.

He noted that the education system in Nigeria is going through a lot of challenges, but expressed optimism that with political will and commitment of the stakeholders, the problems would be solved.

Mr Uzoukwu, who was speaking during the 2011/2012 matriculation ceremony of the school said: “Education system in Nigeria is going a lot of challenges. I will not call them problems, they are challenges because they are surmountable. All we need is political will power on the part of the government and the commitment of all stakeholders including the parents and teachers to tackle the challenges.”

He enumerated some of the challenges facing the sector as include poor funding of education, dearth of infrastructure, lack of man power development among others. “The education system is under-funded, teachers are not well taken care of.

Government is not doing enough in terms of capacity building. Teaching is very dynamic, therefore, teachers need to be trained and retrained so that they can be in tone with the modern trends ways of teaching.”

The principal disclosed that if not for the intervention of private sector through private schools, the situation would have been worst than what the country is experiencing today.

According to him, Loral Schools have contributed immensely to the growth and development of education in the country through quality education and high moral standard which they impact on their students.

He said the school does not toy with moral standards and values. “We believe that with discipline a child can go very far. So discipline is a bedrock, after that, we will ensure that they key into healthy academic competition.

Uzoukwu explained that the matriculation ceremony which was held at Festac town and Igbesa campuses respectively, was to officially receive the new students into the school and to let them know what is expected of them throughout their stay in the school. He charged the students to be of good behaviour and take their studies seriously as they have no reason to fail.

Speaking further, the educationist however, called on the government to adequately fund the education sector and ensure proper utilization of funds. “The parents and teachers must also play their roles in solving the rot in the education system.

If these measures are put in place, obviously, there is no doubt that the standard will be higher and of course, the mass failure will be curtailed”, he explained.