Babalakin Identifies Mediocrity As Nigeria’s Education Problem

Dr Wale Babalakin SAN, Wednesday, said the country’s major problem had shifted from corruption to mediocrity.

Babalakin, who is the Chairman, Lagos chapter of Government College, Ibadan, Old Boys Association, GCIOBA, said issues affecting the college were also affecting the larger society.

He said: “Like the number of teachers is 34 for full time, to teach 3,000 students. Nigeria’s major problem has shifted from corruption to mediocrity. Creation of new institution to kill the old institution is a big issue. Let us put an end to mediocrity”.

GCIOBA National President, Mr Biodun Jolaoso, expressed worry over infrastructural rot in the college and in educational standard that had led to abysmal performance in WASC examination.

Jolaoso said: “Two nights ago as I laid on my bed tossing, turning and ruminating on my imminent law examinations among many other pressing issues pertaining the thought of our schools’ infrastructural rot in general, GCI’s predicament in particular struck me like a bolt from the blues.”

Senator Femi Okurounmu advised that GCI be returned to the Federal Government for better management, instead of leaving it in the hands of Oyo State.

Okurounmu said: “Oyo State is no longer capable to manage GCI and it should be returned to the Federal Government. I plead with Oyo State to let it go and beg the Federal Government to take over. We need Federal Government back for GCI to gain its standard.”

GCI is an all boys school modelled after the British Secondary School boarding system, founded on February 28, 1929.