It is
important that we define what education is before trying to attempt the
definition of public education. Education is the systematic way of acquiring
knowledge and instruction of knowledge and abilities of developing character
and mental powers that result from training. Lester (1965:3) view education as
the growing quality of living organism which has permanent attributes,
according to him it is constantly changing and adapting itself to new demands
and new circumstances. Education not only changes with years. But it is as
sensitive to place as it is to time. It bears a different meaning in different
countries and it is never quite alike in rural surrounding as it in rural
surrounding as it in crowded industrialized area.
According
to Lester (1965:4) public education therefore means the education which is
opened to everybody, men, and women, children, young and adult. Public
education is a means for everybody irrespective of age, race, religion or
group. The running of education is made by two different groups, they private organizations
and the government. The educational system in Nigeria to 6-3-3-4 education
system, The running of public education is divided into three parts for
effective administration. The first are the federal owned institution that is,
the schools which are run by the federal government. Second the state owned
institutions which refer to the ones which are under the state government. And
third, the local or zonal institution which are established and manned by the
local government for the satisfaction and benefit of their community. The
necessary information and maintenance of those schools are made by the federal
government.
The
introduction of public education in its full force is a good step in the right
direction this public education which deprived some privileged individuals or
mission from owing schools become the concern of the government after
independence.The government took over schools made the conditions of service
now more lucrative. educational personnel, Education more standardized,
admission into schools tend to be opened for everyone who wishes to attend
schools are closely located to meet up with the demands of the people and
satisfaction and the needs of the society especially with the introduction of
the new educational policy (6-3-3-4) system now seem as the greatest education
reformation which Nigeria has introduced. However, much is still expected for
the effective for the effective reformation for education in Nigeria if there
is co-operation between the government and the citizens of the nation. Therefore
to Understand
Education Problems in Public Schools
The first and foremost educational problem of public schools is the larger
school size and student population. On an average, most public schools are
twice the size of private schools
This may be due to free education
offered in public schools. Whatever may be the reason, students of public
schools receive less individual attention, as compared to private school
students. Since public school education is free, the academic curricula and
programs may not be as refined as those of private schools. Usually, they offer
the same programs and standardized tests for all the students. In short, what
the students learn in public schools is decided by the state.
In public schools, all the students
get admission, irrespective of the student's talent. They cannot deny any student
who has applied for admission. Sometimes, this may result in a slow learning
pace for the talented students. Educational problems in public
schools include higher rate of violence and student dropout. It is due to the
fact that these schools accept all students, irrespective of their behavior and
talent.
Therefore some of the problems
militating against the effectiveness in the running of public education have
been classified under the following headings
1.
Finance
2.
Inadequate
infrastructural facilities
3.
Lack
of effective supervision of instruction
4.
Absence
of guidance and counseling services
5.
Ineffective
school-community-relationships
6.
Lack
of qualified personnel
7.
Lack
of dedication by some staff members
8.
Poor
relationship between headmaster and the staff
9.
Lack
of effective pupils personnel services in public education
10.
Lack
of good planning
The
following are some of the benefit of running public education in Kaduna North
local Government Area in Kaduna State of Nigeria.
1.
Effective
communication system in public education
2.
Availability
of vocational course in public education
3.
The
training of more professionals in public education
4.
Adequate
decision making and implementation
5.
Effective
budgeting in public education