Statement On The State Of Education In Southern Kaduna And The Legacy Of Mr. Dare Akau

By Balat Henry David Buki, Alumnus, Kaduna State College of Education

NEWSDAILYNIGERIA: It is with deep concern and a sense of responsibility that I address the current state of education in Southern Kaduna, and reflect on the remarkable leadership once provided at the Kaduna State College of Education.

I wish to place on record my sincere appreciation for Mr. Dare Akau. His passion for Southern Kaduna and for the advancement of education is, in my view, unmatched. During his tenure as Sole Administrator of the College of Education, he governed with vision, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His focus was not on revenue generation, but on building an institution that would produce the very best teachers for our region and beyond.

In my personal opinion, there has not been an administrator before or after him who elevated the academic standard of that institution to the level he did. Under his leadership, the emphasis was on quality, merit, and the molding of competent educators who could impact the next generation.

Sadly, the progress made during that period has not been sustained. Instead of building upon the foundation he laid, subsequent administrations appear to have shifted the focus of the institution. There is a growing perception that the College has moved away from its core mandate of producing quality teachers and has tilted toward revenue generation. The result is evident: we now graduate NCE holders who struggle with basic literacy and comprehension.

One must ask: how do we expect this crop of educators to effectively impart knowledge, values, and critical thinking to our children? If the foundation is weak, the entire education system will continue to decline.

For genuine reform to take place, we must deliberately separate politics from education. Our schools and colleges are not political settlements; they are centers for learning and national development. To this end, I respectfully propose the following steps:

1. Merit-Based Employment: Teachers and lecturers should be recruited strictly on the basis of competence, qualification, and character, not political affiliation.
2. Zero Tolerance for Malpractice: The system must decisively frown upon examination malpractice and all forms of academic dishonesty.
3. Academic Accountability: Students who consistently fail to meet a minimum CGPA after three semesters should have their studentship reviewed and, if necessary, withdrawn. This will uphold standards and restore the value of the certificates we issue.

Education is the bedrock of any society. If we are serious about the future of Southern Kaduna and Nigeria at large, then we must return to principles of excellence, integrity, and service — the very principles Mr. Dare Akau exemplified.

I remain committed to the growth of our region and to an education system that truly serves our children.

Signed,
Balat Henry David Buki
Alumnus, Kaduna State College of Education