Science Education; The Challenge of Free Education in Niger State

Abstract

The place of science as a tool for development of any nation cannot be over stressed. Nigeria like any other nation of the world has not only become committed to the provision of free education, but also accepted the potency of science education as a tool for effective scientific development. This apparently explains why the Nigerian Government came up with laudable programmes, the most recent of such program is the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme that has made education free from primary 1.— 6 and Junior secondary 1— 3. It is in view of this that this paper examined the evolution of free education in Nigeria, with particular reference to Niger State. It also tried to identify sonic of the challenges that free education poses to the teaching and learning of science in schools in Niger State, such as poor funding, poor laboratories over crowded classes, unqualified science teachers; lack of equipment, facilities and materials. Finally it was _recommended that more funds should be allocated to the education sector to the tune of 26% of Niger State annual budget as recommended by UNESCO so that more facilities, equipment and materials could be purchased for effective teaching and learning of science.