Browsing by Author "Edino, Rachael Ileh"

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    Evaluation of the Millennium Development Goal on Universal Primary Education in Nigeria
    (2020-06-12) Edino, Rachael Ileh; Gereluk, Dianne T.; Burns, Amy; Larsen, Marianne A.; Gereluk, Dianne T.; Stapleton, Timothy J.; Eaton, Sarah Elaine
    This research addressed the question: What have been the constraints and supports to enable Nigeria to meet the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2 on universal primary education? This second of eight MDG goals is concerned with achieving universal primary education and ensuring that by 2015, children everywhere will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling. The MDG launched by the United Nations in 2000 was the largest global human development mobilization. The focus of this research was on primary schools in Nigeria in alignment with MDG 2. Primary education is an important component in the educational system of every nation as it is the institution upon which all other levels of education and educational achievements are built. Epistemologically, the research was guided by the interpretivist’s worldview, and a case study methodology, with interviews and document analysis as methods. The participant sample comprised of 24 purposefully selected administrators of public primary schools to understand their views on the drivers and constraints associated with the implementation of the MDG 2. They were selected as leaders responsible for teacher supervision, facilitating teaching and learning, stakeholder management, and implementation of government programs. The study finds, and argues that the relationship between the drivers and constraints to the implementation of the MDG on universal primary education is complex. Four overarching findings emerged from the study. First, the implementation of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 2 on universal primary education in Nigeria was influenced by a disconnect between policy and practice at different levels. Second, sociocultural factors also influenced the effectiveness of implementation. Third, there were several socioeconomic drivers and constraints to the implementation of the MDG 2. Finally, sociopolitical factors equally emerged among the findings from the data. Taken together, the nature of the findings suggests that the official policy of the MDG 2 is inextricably tied to the political, economic, and local lived experiences in both urban and rural Nigeria. While policy and programme initiatives established to facilitate the implementation of the MDG 2 are commendable, there appears to be a disconnect in practice. This is because some of the information gathered from research participants in relation to realities on ground do not reflect the content and spirit of the initiatives. That notwithstanding, the research found that the initiatives made certain positive contributions to the implementation of the MDG. The findings of this study could help to situate the condition of primary education in Nigeria within the global context, while informing policy on universal primary education.