Comments on: It’s (also) Grim Up North

By: Ian Attfield

Ian Attfield — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:46:51 +0000

AAniema, a trend over the past decades has been to open private schools in response to the failures of the government to provide reliable services - since Lagos teacher strikes of the 90's over half of all primary children are no in private schools.

DFID has been studying the phenomena, and what can be done to support and regulate these schools better in Lagos State. Clearly regulating fees and enforcing minimum standards are ways to help. In addition imporving the public schools will tip many less well off kids into the public sector.

However all these strategies take time, to reverse decades of neglect.

By: Aniema

Aniema — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:59:45 +0000

So glad to read about DFID's efforts in helping get nigerians educated. my concern is more on the apparent neglect by the government of public schools which, especially in the east where i live, has led to a proliferation of private schools with fees absolutely beyond the reach of the poor. how can DFID help check this trend?

By: Ian Attfield

Ian Attfield — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:48:51 +0000

From a personal perspective I believe DFID works in Nigeria because of the huge number of poor people who live here and the potential for their lives to be transformed for the good if we can support the government to work more effectively to use its oil wealth for the public good. It is hard to make a dent in Africa's problem if you avoid working in 'difficult countries'. How can DFID support the reduction in the number out of school children for example, if 1 of 10 of them are in Nigeria and we choose not to work there?

In Nigeria donors such as DFID generally spend more funds on advisory support, capacity building and awareness: for example highlighting the problems of corruption and discrimination.

Of course corruption is a reality - we are not so naive as to claim it doesn't exist! But rather than ignore it, we have put systems in place to protect the money we give to Nigeria

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:27:57 +0000

Why is DFID active in Nigeria? Surely the UK should withhold all funding from corrupt governments. Much of the country's wealth is still being stolen by corrupt politicians and officials. They are laughing at you.

By: Bill Bartmann

Bill Bartmann — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:16:04 +0000

Excellent site, keep up the good work

By: Ian Attfield

Ian Attfield — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:29:37 +0000

Certainly the news about the violence involving Boko Haram ("Western education is sin") is very worrying, as is the very fact that 'Western education' can be perceived as a threat by anyone. The vast majority of Islamic and traditional leaders in Northern Nigeria have disowned the recent actions and threats, having recognised the many benefits of a well rounded education for all young Nigerians. Unfortunately Nigeria is prone to outbreaks of violence such as this - e.g. hundreds dead following the local elections in Jos last year - happen all too frequently. While headline reasons around religion and ethnicity are often given, the high levels of poverty, ignorance and alienation experienced by the general populations quickly ignite any 'sparks'. I hope that peace and stability can be returned quickly to the affected areas.

By: R

Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:56:48 +0000

How does this work relate to the recent violence in the north, including Kano, involving the Boko Haram group who are against western education?