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We know that education systems are not the same all over the world, apart from the required number of years, the style of teaching is also very different. The Nigerian system is 9-3-4 own, that is nine years of basic education, which includes six years in the primary school and three years in junior secondary school. The student then proceeds to three years of senior secondary education followed by four years at a tertiary institution, this could extend to 7 years depending on the course of study. Furthermore, the teaching style is teacher based, that is the teacher comes to class with a prepared note and dictates to the students, while they take notes, as opposed to the student based teaching style.
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Our focus here is the teaching method in the university. It is no longer news that Nigerian university degrees are derided outside the country, this is why some countries would demand English proficiency test even after you’ve gone through a four year course in English, this derision is not unconnected to the poor education system, more specifically, the poor training of our teachers/lecturers and their poor performance.
The whole system seems determinedly poor, for even lecturers who have earned degrees from foreign universities and have seen the state of things, would still return home to join the bad train. Let’s give a breakdown of the average lecturer’s teaching method. He comes to class, gives the course outline, dictates notes, sometimes he gives out ‘handouts’ (a prepared note by him on the course outline), the handout is usually scanty and summarized, sometimes the handout turns out to be a photocopied part of a textbook, he then set tests as a form of continuous assessment and then the exam comes. In this setting, the most successful students are the ones who can cram the handouts or notes and pour it out word for word in the exams.
In other settings, the lecturer might not even bother to come to class, either his salary has not been paid and he’s lacking in motivation, or his workload is too much because the school cannot afford to hire more hands, the students are therefore left to learn for themselves.
Some lecturers would conduct impromptu tests, in a bid to punish students who have formed the habit of skipping classes, the problem with this is that innocent students, who would have other wise been in class but were unlucky enough to miss class that day, would fall victim.
Other lecturers would decide to dole out marks at their whims; some would give marks using class attendance. All these have resulted into the churning out of half baked graduates who are totally ignorant of their onions, only few graduates who are diligent enough to have persistently used the ill-equipped library turn out to know something about their field.
The consequence of our ill education system seems to be more prevalent in the STEM courses. Because of a lack in true and effective research, archaic and obsolete procedures are still been so gloriously taught, meanwhile a microbiology graduate still finds it difficult to operate a device as simple as the microscope.
I could go on and on, exploring the pitiful state of our education system, but it is rather depressing, we will therefore take a look at the best teaching and learning practices in foreign universities so that you’d know what to expect and you can adapt appropriately. I feel pressed to say this, there are good, howbeit few lecturers in the system, ones who have honed the art of effective teaching and who seek to perfect it everyday, but what would a few do among so many?
How are foreign universities different from Nigerian Universities?
By foreign universities we of course refer to universities in developed countries, not the ones in countries that are only slightly better than Nigeria.
So shall we start from the obvious?
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It’s is sad that strike actions by university staffs has become a norm in Nigeria, we have so adapted to it that we do no longer realize the damning effect it has on the students and the country as a whole, scarcely will an academic year go by without a strike action. This is alien to foreign universities, most universities in the US are private, the ones that are state owned are well funded, lecturers are paid on time, and by this they are willing to teach and won’t be taking out aggression on students.
Learning facilities in Nigerian universities are abysmally poor and sometimes non-existent. My days in the university found me rushing to class to hustle for seats, otherwise I would have to take my classes seated on the floor.
There is a blatant lack of public address systems in the lecture rooms, so good luck hearing what the poor lecturer is saying. Libraries are not well stocked, classes not well lit. Needless to say, all these would not happen in a foreign university, so brace yourself for a good life. Classes are well equipped with projectors and public address systems, there are enough seats and hallelujah, there’s no one sitting on the floor.
Historically, universities were established primarily for research purposes. Expect to carry out lots of research, especially for science and engineering courses, you would be required to carry out series of group and independent laboratory work.
You would be required to write essays, in form of assignments, these essays could be very long; you would have to read wide and also gain mastery of the English language to write well.
Your listening skills must also be well oiled. As a foreign student, you might find it difficult at first to hear and understand what is being taught, this is as a result of a difference in accent and the use of English, you may need to work extra hard until you fully adapt, this may come in form of you getting a class mates note or making a recording of the class to listen to later at your own pace.
Lectures are usually interactive with the lecturers expecting you to think wide and challenge established principles, you would be called upon to comment on topics.
Lectures are technology driven and they reflect the best practices in the world. And because the university is research driven, there are a lot of research grants available to aid you in your chosen field.
There is zero and I mean, zero tolerance for plagiarism, in fact it could get you expelled, so reference your essays properly, explain ideas learnt from text books in your own words.
If there is one thing Nigerian universities are plagued with, it is an abundance of unqualified teachers, who are themselves product of the same defective education system.
Lecturers abroad are more laid back, they are experts in their field and they won’t feel threatened or count it as disrespect when you question them or their opinion. There is less wickedness and victimization of students and if this ever happens, there are a lot of avenue to get help.
Now, I am not saying that the education system over there is perfect, but at least it is better. And you as a Nigerian can adapt into any situation, there is a kind of resilience about us, we have learned to excel under adverse conditions and when we find ourselves in excellent conditions, we just thrive.