The Effect Of Insurgency On Basic Education In Nigeria

Project and Seminar Material for Sociology

Abstract

The study investigated effects of insurgency on universal basic education in Borno state and other states in Nigeria. Basic education is the first level of education for children at primary 1 level to basic 9 which is the Junior Secondary School level in Nigeria. However, achieving education for all Nigeria children, Borno state need a secured teaching and learning environment. The study examined the effects of insurgence activities such as abduction of pupils and attacks on teachers in basic schools of Borno State.

The sample for the study was 270 teachers of basic schools selected on the basis of 10 teachers from each of the 27 local government areas that constituted Borno State. The instrument for data collection was a 20 items questionnaire title: Effect of insurgency on Basic Education Questionnaire. Two research questions were formulated, data collection were converted to mean, standard deviation was used to answer the research questions. It was therefore recommended that the Nigeria government should provide free and compulsory education to all Borno State internally displaced children through provision of scholarship from basic school level to university, the government should show higher commitment to ensuring security in the states and schools.

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

The nation Nigeria has witnessed brutal confrontation and massive assault from terrorist group which is undoubtedly the most blood-thirsty and destructive, both in terms of brutality mindless of the savagery and flagrant disobedience to the principles of peace and stability. Nigeria has witnessed insurgency from this terrorist group called Boko-Haram from 2009. They haveunleashed terror and fear in the minds of every Nigerian. There is massive destruction of government’s properties, burning of schools, bombing/burning of churches, mosques and other public places.

Historically, Borno State, which was founded in 1971 initially comprised the present Borno State and Yobe State. Prior to the advent of insurgency, has been relatively peaceful, multicultural and dynamic state in Nigeria. The state is fortunate to have human and natural resources which has created many opportunities for its indigenes and other Nigerians to live in harmony. Borno State started experiencing the global trend of insurgency from 2009 (Adamu, 2014). Which led to the gruesome killings of innocent Nigerian citizens perpetrated by an insurgent group called Boko Haram (Adamu, 2014). Since 2009, they have disrupted educational system in Borno State with huge negative effects on basic education. The insurgent group dislikes children attending schools and also commit criminal offences ranging from kidnapping of school pupils and attacking teachers in schools (Adeyemi, 2014). There is major destruction of schools activities in the state. In the recent past, they used under aged girls to carry out suicide bombing of major shopping malls, cinema halls and bus terminals. Moreso, abduction of school children and the elderly were also common in their recent styles of mindless attacks.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Empathically, many basic schools in Borno State and other northern states had experienced several attacks from the insurgent group. Some basic schools especially in Baga towns in northern part of Borno State have been closed down for two (2) years (BSMOE, 2015). The problem could be traced down to when the Boko Haram group used religion to set up rules in the community unnoticed, advanced it with violence to the state level and metamorphous into an insurgent group and disturbed the peace of the state.

Moreso, basic education in Borno state have been experiencing serious problem prior to the insurgence, there were shortage of classes for teaching and learning, shortage of instructional materials and teachers (NUT, 2007). This has indicated that basic school is underfunded by the state government, lack of payment of teachers’ salary which led to frequent strike by basic school teaches are also a concern to many families (NUT, 2008). Moreover, while the state is struggling to overcome the existing problems, insurgent came in as a bigger challenge to the state, which now posed as a threat to many parents and children of school age in Borno State.(nta 2015)

1.3 Objective of the Study

The purpose of this study is to;

Find out if the activities of the Boko Haram have a direct effect on basic education in Nigeria, especially Borno.
To draw the attention of the authority to the damaging effects of Boko Haram attacks on education in the northern Nigeria.
To find out the effect of insurgency on the willingness of parents to send their children to school.
To make necessary recommendations to curb these effects
To find out the relationship between insurgency and the rate of school dropout.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

Hypotheses one

Ho: There is no relationship between insurgency and parents’ willingness to send their children to school
Hi: There is a relationship between insurgency and parents’ willingness to send their children to school

Hypotheses two

Ho :There is no relationship between insurgency and the rate of school drop outs
Hi: There is a relationship between insurgency and the rate of school drop outs

1.5 Significance of the Study

The relevance of the study is to provide an applicable solution to the effect of this insurgency on basic education in Borno State and other Northern States in Nigeria.

The researcher is prepared to conduct this study and have a researchable solution to the effect of insurgency on basic education in Nigeria.

The outcome of this study will be of considerable benefits to education, also serve as an insight for other countries to study the situation in Nigeria and avert any pre-insurgency activities in their nations.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study is primary concerned with the effect of insurgency on basic education in Nigeria. This study covers Borno State and other Northern states in Nigeria. The researcher encountered some constraints, which limited the scope of the study. These constraints include but are not limited to the following

a) Availability of Research Material:

The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

b) Time:

The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

1.7 Definition of Terms

1. Education:

Education can be defined as a tool for building a united, independent, wealthy egalitarian society which is capable of maintaining the traditions and value (Adesina, Fegbongbe & Talabi, 1983).

2. Basic Education:

Basic education can be as the beginning of acquisition of desirable skill, knowledge and attitude in a formal school system.

3. Universal:

Universal can be defined as the programme that is meant for all arms of the society such as the poor and the rich, the physically challenged and all the school dropouts’ people in Borno State.

4. Insurgency:

An insurgency is a rebellion against a constituted authority.

5. Insurgent:

A person who rises in forcible opposition to lawful authority, especially a person who engages in armed resistance to a government or to the execution of its law.

6. Boko Haram:

The term “Boko Haram” come from the Hausa word book meaning “western education” and the Arabic word Haram figuratively meaning sin (literally “forbidden”). The name loosely translated from Hausa means Western Education is forbidden.

7. School:

A school can be defined as an institution for the instructions of children or people under college age.

1.8 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concerned with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.
Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.
Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.
Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.
Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain a critical analysis of the effect of insurgency on basic education in Nigeria.

In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations are made, which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefitin addressing the challenges of insurgency in Nigeria.

5.2 Summary

This study aimed at havinga critical analysis of the effect of insurgency on basic education in Nigeria. Five objectives were raised. These objectives include: Find out if the activities of the Boko Haram have a direct effect on basic education in Nigeria, especially Borno, to draw the attention of the authority to the damaging effects of Boko Haram attacks on education in the northern Nigeria, to find out the effect of insurgency on the willingness of parents to send their children to school, to make necessary recommendations to curb these effects, to find out the relationship between insurgency and the rate of school dropout.

5.3 Conclusion

Based on the above findings pertaining to the objectives of the study the following conclusions are drawn.
ple in Borno (NEMA, 2015). It also becomes a threat to the entire north eastern region of Nigeria. Their activities have crippled the socio-economic activities between Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger Republic and Republic of Chad (Olowoselu, Onuselogu and Bello, 2014). Many Nigerian citizens are currently internally displaced in Borno State (NCRM, 2015). The insurgency in Borno State have slow down the nation abilities of achieving the Millennium Development Goals project (MDG’S), Education For All (EFA), and as well as Nigeria Vision 2020 programs. The frequent insurgent attacks have negative impact on socio-cultural values of the people in the State and wellbeing of other Nigerians (Olowoselu, Onuselogu and Bello, 2014). Presently, economic activity is low in the state, as foreign expatriate are relocating to other states in Nigeria due to the increasing security crisis. With the mindless bombings perpetrated by the insurgent, the researchers observed that most schools have been closed in Borno State. Evidently, the current joint approaches of Nigerian government and African Union to end the insurgency have recorded tremendous success in the State. But we are also concluding that, the United Nation (UN) should aid Nigerian government and African Union effort, to put an end to insurgency in Borno State.

5.4 Recommendation

The level of educational development of a place depends on the society. The level of development of a society in terms of its politics, economy, technology, cultural values and religion depends on quality of education provided. Nigerian government should take a pro-active approach in rebuilding all the basic school buildings been hatched by the insurgent group. Nigerian government should provide free and compulsory education to all children in Borno State up to university level, because the future of society remains in the hands of the children. The Borno State government should provide scholarship for continuous education to all other dropped out school children who were internally displaced, and sheltering outside Borno State. This will enhance their continuous schooling in that state. Moreso, the federal government should ensure that all police personnel posted to guide all schools are well motivated properly.

The religious leaders should be properly enlightened, to play active role in preaching against the senseless attacks perpetrated by the insurgent group. Similarly, peace and security studies should be incorporated in to Nigerian school curricular. The Nigerian immigration service should be overhauled with new strategies, for effectively monitor and controls all Nigerian borders against in influx of illegal aliens that support insurgent group. All schools should be properly secured with a unit of Nigerian security force especially, the schools in the border communities in Borno State. This unit will also serve as security checks for intelligent information gathering on the activities of the youths in border communities. On schools internal security system, daily school attendance record books should be adopted by the all schools in Borno State, likewise students’ movement record book should be introduce and kept by teachers with a daily report to the school head. This will make the school authorities to understand and control the student’s movement during the school hours. Parents and religious leaders should play active role in encouraging all children

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