Sir Hugh Clifford was responsible for transforming the memorandum on education of 1925 into practice. He pointed out two defects in the then educational system. The first was the poor quality of education and many poorly equipped schools. The second was poor funding of the education system. He promised to make positive changes, by checking the growth of schools and improve educational funding. Sir Clifford proposed that elementary schools should be handled by the Christian missions in the south.
The result of Sir Hugh Clifford's efforts was the Education (Colony and Southern Provinces) Ordinance, No.15 of 1926 and the Regulation made under it which came into effect on 26 May, 1926 and September 1927 respectively. A separate ordinance No.14 of 1926 was enacted for the Northern Provinces (Taiwo, 1980). This was for political reasons. They wanted to maintain a stable government as they knew the Northerners would revolt if what was given to the Christian south was given to them the Muslims.
The 1926 ordinance stated that teachers should be registered. No new schools should be established unless the Director and Board of Education were sure that they will be well staffed and taken good care of. That any school that was not providing courses that were relevant to the community shall be closed down. Supervisors could be appointed by the voluntary agencies but they had to abide by the laid down regulations and his appointment has to be approved by the Governor. The members of the Board of Education were ten representatives of the missions. Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director of Education. Others were representatives of the various educational agencies. In other words they
represented those who were in close contact with the educational development. Its duty was to make regulations and advise the Government on educational matters and this had to be to the advantage of the Government. It also gave advice on the teaching of hygiene. In practice this did not bring about any change as the Africans did not believe in it. They saw the teacher (a Whiteman) who came with the pupils to clean up their villages as a visitor and so they always prepare for his arrival. Again it advised on the system of apprenticeship and the teaching of school gardening. This too did not yield the required result as the people saw the miniature garden as a child's play compared with their many acres of farm land they were cultivating at home. Also, it advised that central schools should be established and text books should also be produced.
The 1926 ordinance was to serve as a check on the proliferation of the hedge-schools, create the spirit of co-operation with the missions, the community, etc. (Taiwo, 1980).
The result of Sir Hugh Clifford's efforts was the Education (Colony and Southern Provinces) Ordinance, No.15 of 1926 and the Regulation made under it which came into effect on 26 May, 1926 and September 1927 respectively. A separate ordinance No.14 of 1926 was enacted for the Northern Provinces (Taiwo, 1980). This was for political reasons. They wanted to maintain a stable government as they knew the Northerners would revolt if what was given to the Christian south was given to them the Muslims.
The 1926 ordinance stated that teachers should be registered. No new schools should be established unless the Director and Board of Education were sure that they will be well staffed and taken good care of. That any school that was not providing courses that were relevant to the community shall be closed down. Supervisors could be appointed by the voluntary agencies but they had to abide by the laid down regulations and his appointment has to be approved by the Governor. The members of the Board of Education were ten representatives of the missions. Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director of Education. Others were representatives of the various educational agencies. In other words they
represented those who were in close contact with the educational development. Its duty was to make regulations and advise the Government on educational matters and this had to be to the advantage of the Government. It also gave advice on the teaching of hygiene. In practice this did not bring about any change as the Africans did not believe in it. They saw the teacher (a Whiteman) who came with the pupils to clean up their villages as a visitor and so they always prepare for his arrival. Again it advised on the system of apprenticeship and the teaching of school gardening. This too did not yield the required result as the people saw the miniature garden as a child's play compared with their many acres of farm land they were cultivating at home. Also, it advised that central schools should be established and text books should also be produced.
The 1926 ordinance was to serve as a check on the proliferation of the hedge-schools, create the spirit of co-operation with the missions, the community, etc. (Taiwo, 1980).
Exercise 2:
- What were the major contributions of Hugh Clifford to Nigeria education?
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