Education Expert Advocates Prioritizing Quality Education Delivery Over Free Education
"Free education is okay. It is not about free education but about qualitative education. You cannot say education is free, and then you now give something that is watery, whitewashed, lacking lustre, and at the end of the day, people are not properly educated," he remarked, highlighting the need for an educational system that equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to excel in the workforce.
AKACHI NOEL 
Renowned education expert, Dr. Dennis Imafidon, has emphasized the critical importance of directing government efforts towards funding quality education delivery rather than merely focusing on the concept of free education. Dr. Imafidon shared this perspective after receiving an honorary doctorate degree from Prowess University, Delaware, USA, over the weekend.
Addressing government officials at various levels, education stakeholders, parents, school management, and students, Dr. Imafidon stressed the need for sincere commitment to adequately fund education. He expressed skepticism about the efficacy of free education programs implemented by some state governors, labeling them as failures and unsustainable.
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"Free education is okay. It is not about free education but about qualitative education. You cannot say education is free, and then you now give something that is watery, whitewashed, lacking lustre, and at the end of the day, people are not properly educated," he remarked, highlighting the need for an educational system that equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to excel in the workforce.
Dr. Imafidon acknowledged President Bola Tinubu's administration for the introduction of the Students' Loan, anticipating that it would significantly contribute to reducing mass illiteracy in the country. He emphasized the importance of combining quality education with affordability, ensuring that educational institutions promote high standards through the provision of essential resources and infrastructure.
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In a keynote lecture titled "Evaluation of Human Capital Development as a Strategy for Increasing Productivity in an Organisation," delivered by Togolese Professor of Economics, Olubodun Olayiwola, the need for regular training of workers to enhance productivity was underscored. The lecture emphasized the role of human capital development in driving organizational success.
Dr. Imafidon's call for prioritizing quality education delivery aligns with the ongoing discourse on educational reforms and highlights the necessity for a holistic approach to address the challenges faced by the Nigerian education system.
