Benue State University, Makurdi

THE PARADOX OF EQUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN NIGERIA: A MAJOR FACTOR IN MANAGING EDUCATION FOR ATTAINMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN NIGERIA

Joan Nike Ada, PhD
Department of Educational Foundations, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Ivagher Ezekiel Dondo PhD
Department of Educational Foundations, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Fanan Abigail Gire
Department of Educational Foundations, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract

Education is regarded as instrument for affecting positive development of the society. This statement is not limited to education of male or female, state or geographical location of citizens but education of all. This is why one of the goals of education as stipulated in the National Policy on Education emphasizes that the country is a land of bright and full of opportunities for all her citizens. No society can succeed today in her sustainable development without giving equal educational opportunities to all her citizens based on the economic, cultural and social roles women and men play in the development of the society. This paper x-rayed the paradox of equality of educational opportunities in Nigeria: a major factor in managing education for attainment of sustainable development goals in Nigeria. It specifically looked at concept of education, equality of educational opportunities, principle of equality in education, obstacles towards providing equality of educational opportunities in Nigeria, concept of management and Sustainable Development And Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). The paper further looked at Efforts at providing equality of educational opportunities in Nigeria. It was recommended among others that the federal government should as much as possible find ways of addressing the issue of individual differences in terms of age, abilities, gender, ethnicity and sectionalism among others. The curriculum planners in this regard can draw school programmes that will effectively take care of such issues and grant all persons opportunity of going to school so that sustainable development will be enhanced.

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