EQUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

INTRODUCTION

The phrase "equality of educational opportunity" is problematic to deal with. It is an evasive phrase that needs lots of analyses and such analyses may be confusing. The problem with the definition of" educational opportunity" is two-fold-practical, how to achieve equal opportunities and conceptual- the concept of the phrase "equal educational opportunities".

In this unit, we shall confine ourselves to three possible interpretation of the notion of equality of opportunity in education. Moreover, some possible factors that may impede the realisation of equal opportunity in education would be discussed.

OBJECTIVES
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

• Explain the phrase "equal opportunity in education". 
• Discuss some possible factors that may impede attainment of equal educational opportunity. 
• Offer recommendations on how to tackle the impeding factors. It is obvious that people are not born equal neither are they equal in any respect. Thus, if people are not equal in any respect except that they are all human beings, then it becomes difficult to accord them equal right in life. Our mental, moral and emotional capacities are all different. Though, the National Policy on Education emphasises in section I sub- section 2 that all Nigeria citizens have equal opportunity for education at all institutional levels, yet, a lot of problems emanate in the interpretation of what it actually means. Let us examine three possible interpretations. 

 Interpretations of the Phrase "Equality of Educational Opportunity"

The first interpretation presupposes that each individual should receive an equal share of educational resources irrespective of potential ability. The second interpretation is to treat all those children of the same measured ability in the same way irrespective of environmental factors. The third interpretation focuses on positive discrimination in favour of educationally underprivileged children, with the sole aim, to remedy the educational lag of disadvantaged children.

A learner should note that the three interpretations could easily be debunked. The first interpretation would ensure unequal outcome because individuals vary in their genetic ability. The second interpretation is faced by or is in conflict with social justice theory. Finally, discrimination assumed in the third interpretation is also unfair and unjust. We can summarise these interpretation with Akinpelu's (1984) own words, "What I suspect is that while each proponent of equal education opportunity thinks and believes that he is defending a concept, he is in actual fact defending a conception, that is his own conception".

Activity I

• Debunk the first interpretation of equality of educational opportunity.
• List the factors that may impede the attainment of equality of opportunity in education. 
•  Briefly explain some of the strategies employed by both state and federal governments in order to achieve equality of educational opportunity. 

Factors Responsible for Inequality of Educational Opportunity Among the numerous factors responsible for inequality of educational opportunity are: family background, poor or rich, educated or otherwise, underaged children, intellectual ability, poor health and unfavourable environment. Discussions on these factors would be very brief as the learner should also think of other factors including those peculiar to his/her environment.


Nigerian educated parents know too well the value attached to education and would also like their children to benefit from it. They can provide both moral and financial support in order to ensure that their children attain higher qualifications. They send their children to better or good schools with well-built structures with proper ventilation, qualified teachers, equipped library, etc. At home, some of the children have their own personal libraries, etc. On the other hand, the children of the poor and agrarian family do not enjoy such things. Is it possible for the children of the poor ones to go at the same pace with the children from educated parents?

Underage children: Parents unknowingly send their children to school at an early age. This may cause a devastating effect to the child's brain. Once damage is done to the brain, the child may not keep up the pace with other children in later years.


Moreover, children in the rural areas are more likely exposed to various domestic works than attending school. When compared with children from cities, the children from rural areas are unlikely to perform well in academics. Environment plays a significant role in terms of a child's educational opportunity. Most schools in rural areas are behind in terms of facilities and qualified teachers.

The educational gap between northern and southern Nigeria is a trace of educational inequality. This inequality of educational opportunity started since the inception of western education. Statistical evidence has shown that the north was lagging behind other regions, particularly when pupils population was taken into account.

There has been a lot of efforts to bring to people compensatory education. The main aim is to remedy the l., educational gap of disadvantaged children and thereby narrow the achievement gap)