This Romance with Foreign Education!
Thousands of Nigerian students will now be packing their
bags and heading out to institutions abroad. They will be joining the several
of thousands of Nigerian students already there. Popular destinations include:
Ghana, US, UK, Malaysia, Ukraine, Germany, Norway, India, Philippines and many
others.
The number of Nigerians sending their kids to school abroad
has grown exponentially in the past couple of decades. First it was young
graduates going abroad for postgraduate degrees; however, this soon yielded to
thousands leaving for undergraduate courses abroad. My understanding is that
lately, a lot of parents have been sending their kids abroad for GCSE, A
Levels, Baccalaureates, pre-degree programmes, etc.
This development contrasts drastically with when I was
growing in the 70s and 80s – then, it was the exception rather than the rule to
see families sending their kids abroad for education. Yes, I recall many going
for postgraduate courses, and of course, a good many others taking up
scholarships from parts of the Eastern Bloc; however, this was by far, nothing
to compare with the situation today.
I live near one of UK’s universities very popular with
foreign students, including Nigerians. I’m filled with pride anytime I visit
the adjacent shopping outlet where I see a lot of young Nigerian students
either working at the tills to augment their allowances. Some are there to
shop, window-shop or do a number of other things young people do. Seeing them
excitedly chit-chatting in Pidgin English and other Nigerian dialects; their
independence and apparent sense of purpose are quite admirable.
This pride is, however, tinged with concerns more especially
nowadays with the worsening notoriety of Nigerian students abroad. I also worry
about the increasing number of Nigerian students being shipped to study abroad
every year, especially as the list of candidates gets younger and much more
impressionable!
Is the government paying attention to this trend and the
cost to the country’s economy, considering especially that most of these
students pay several thousand dollars foreign student’s fees? They also rent
apartments and patronise shops – all a booster to the host countries’ economies
and a loss to Nigeria’s economy.
Has Nigeria now reached a stage where foreign education is
something of a necessity, or just like many others, it is now a status symbol?
To be honest, I’m puzzled at some of the countries Nigerian students go for
further studies: Philippines, Turkey, Cyprus, Cambodia, etc.
What are the long term effects this is bound to have on family and
socio-cultural dynamics of the country? Most of these students spend their
formative years away from home and many, by design or providence, are going to
end up living abroad permanently.
Is the current stigma associated with Nigerian students in
some way attributable to this seeming unchecked foreign education quest? My
worries are just endless!
There is much to be said about students going abroad to
study, especially in terms of better facilities offered in some technical and
medical courses abroad, and an exposure to other cultures and outlook to life.
However, in view of the various points discussed above, I am not convinced the
current level of foreign studentship is healthy for Nigeria.
Is it just me being overly sulky and troubled over a
nonissue? What is your take on this?
I would be most grateful to read your thoughts.
YWOO
