It is appalling to admit that educational marginalization is still a major problem affecting millions of children and young people in Nigeria despite the rate at which we all echo the phrase, ‘equity for all’.
In this article, we will be providing answers to frequently asked questions about educational marginalization in Nigeria. Let’s kick off by giving a straightforward definition of educational marginalization.
Educational marginalization is the denial of access to education or the provision of inferior education to certain groups of people.
Subsequently, the next question is: who is this certain group of people that are affected by educational marginalization in Nigeria?
Some of the groups that are most affected by educational marginalization in Nigeria include:
- Girls
- Children from poor families
- Children living in rural areas
- Children with disabilities
- Children from ethnic minority groups
- Orphans and vulnerable children
Causes of Educational Marginalization in Nigeria
Several factors contribute to educational marginalization in Nigeria, including:
1. Poverty: Many families cannot afford to send their children to school, especially in today’s economy where there is an unusual hike in the prices of commodities. Some parents cannot afford school supplies such as notebooks and textbooks.
2. Gender discrimination: Girls are often restricted from accessing education and are more likely to be kept at home to help with household chores or get married and start a family of their own. This occurs mostly in the Northern part of the country.
3. Discrimination against the disabled: Children with disabilities often face barriers to accessing education, such as a lack of accessible schools or teachers who are trained to teach them.
4. Religious Discrimination / Discrimination against ethnic minority groups: Children from ethnic minority groups may face discrimination in schools, and may not be taught in their language. Aside from primary schools, this also happens in our tertiary institutions. Several cases of lecturers unfairly treating students based on religious disparity have been reported.
5. Conflict and insecurity: Conflict and insecurity in some parts of Nigeria have made it difficult or impossible for children to go to school.
Consequences of Educational Marginalization
Educational marginalization has several negative effects on individuals and the society as a whole. Individuals who are educationally marginalized are less likely to be employed, earn a good living, or participate in civic life.
They are also more likely to live in poverty and experience health problems.
Educational marginalization also impacts the society as a whole. It deprives the country of the skills and talents of a large proportion of its population, and it perpetuates inequality and poverty.
Solution to educational marginalization
What can be done to address educational marginalization in Nigeria?
The Nigerian government has several policies in place to address educational marginalization, such as free and compulsory basic education for all children. Nevertheless, more needs to be done to ensure that all children have access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Some of the things that can be done to address educational marginalization in Nigeria include:
1. Increasing investment in education, especially in rural areas with an emphasis on marginalized groups such as female children.
2. Addressing gender discrimination and discrimination against people with disabilities.
3. Promoting inclusive education by making schools more accessible and providing training for teachers on how to teach children with disabilities i.e. workshops on sign language.
4. Building more schools in rural areas and providing accommodation for teachers.
5. Ensuring that all schools have qualified teachers and adequate resources.
6. Raising awareness of the importance of education and the dangers of educational marginalization.
Conclusion
Overall, educational marginalization is a serious problem in Nigeria, investing in education and addressing the root causes of educational marginalization will help the Nigerian government to ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
