Funding Science and Mathematics Education in a Depressed Economy in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and the Way forward
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64348/zije.2025115Keywords:
Science, Mathematics, Education, Funding, EconomyAbstract
The paper dwells much on the two intricately interwoven concepts: Mathematics and Science education. Though, different in both their scope and curriculum structure, the paper argues in terms of their relevance to national development in entrenching and developing a sound education system capable of yielding sustainable scientific and technological development. Nigeria’s economy in recent years experienced downturn which consequently affect some indices responsible for the smooth growth of Mathematics and Science education as formidable disciplines. The indices, as encapsulated in the paper, include funding, infrastructural deficit, inadequate instructional resources, recruitment of professionally trained teachers, insufficient capacity building programmes, shortage of ICT facilities, insecurity and lack of proper supervision amongst others. In the end, the paper suggests amongst others, the provision of adequate educational indices capable of addressing the widening gap of Mathematics and Science education funding across the country’s levels of education.
References
Abubakar, Z., & Olamoyegun, S. O. (2023). Adequate Funding Panacea for Development of Science Education Programme in Nigeria Educational Institutions. Best Journal of Innovation in Science, Research and Development, 2(7), 495-504.
Adigun, O. T. (2020). Computer-assisted instruction, project based learning and achievement of Deaf learners in Biology. Journal of E-Learning and Knowledge Society, 16(1), 23-32.
Afolayan, F. O. (2014). A holistic review of public funding of primary education in Nigeria. IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education, 4(6), 68-74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.9790/7388-04636874
Akinola, A. P. (2021). Collaboration of industry with academia: the engine of industrialisation and development. The Proceedings of the Nigerian Academy of Science, 14(1), 101-108. DOI: https://doi.org/10.57046/CPVM9605
Alikor, O. (2014). A critical analysis of the Universal Basic Education Policy (1999) in Nigeria: consequences of the extent of the implementation of free and compulsory education (Doctoral dissertation, University of the Free State).
Awofala, A. O. A., Olu-Oluwa, S. A. & Fatade, A. O. (2012). Teachers’ Perception of the New Nine-Year Basic Education Mathematics Curriculum in Nigeria. International Journal of Mathematics Trends and Technology 3,1 1-6 ISSN: 2231-5373 Retrieved on April 20, 2014 from http://www.internationaljournalssrg.org
Blossfeld, H. P., & Von Maurice, J. (2019). Education as a lifelong process (pp. 17-33). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-23162-0_2
Confrey, J., Maloney, A. P., & Corley, A. K. (2014). Learning trajectories: A framework for connecting standards with curriculum. ZDM, 46, 719-733. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-014-0598-7
Egede, B. A. J., & Asabor, B. M. (2019). Integration of Technology in the Training of Basic Education Teachers in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects. ADECT 2019 Proceedings.
Ekpo, I. G. (2022). Integration of philosophy into basic education in Nigeria: teachers’ perspectives (Doctoral dissertation). University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.
El-Moslimany, A. (2018). Teaching children: a moral, spiritual, and holistic approach to educational development. International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT). DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvkc66sj
Federal Government of Nigeria (2013). National Policy on Education. NERDC Press. ISBN: 978-054-216-7, Yaba-Lagos, Nigeria.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2013, 2011, 2004). National Policy on Education: National Policy on Education. Lagos: Federal Government Press.
Gleason, N. W. (2018). Singapore’s higher education systems in the era of the fourth industrial revolution: Preparing lifelong learners. Higher education in the era of the fourth industrial revolution, 145-169. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0194-0_7
Hobbs, L. (2013). Teaching ‘out-of-field’as a boundary-crossing event: Factors shaping teacher identity. International journal of science and mathematics education, 11, 271-297. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-012-9333-4
Kaur, B. (2014). Mathematics education in Singapore-an insider's perspective. Journal on Mathematics Education, 5(1), 1-16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22342/jme.5.1.1444.1-16
Kola, A. J., Gana, N. N., & Olasumbo, I. O. (2017). The lack of good governance in Nigeria and its impact on functional science education. University of the Western Cape repository and Library Services; UWC Scholarly Publications.
Kurumeh, M. S., Omenka, J. E. & Mohammed, A. S. (2013). Re-Branding Mathematics: An Approach to Enhancing Students’ Performance in Mathematics in Anambra State, Nigeria. Greener Journal of Educational Research 3,1 39-45 ISSN: 2276-7789. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15580/GJER.2013.1.120512316
Ma, J. Y., & Hall, R. (2018). Learning a part together: Ensemble learning and infrastructure in a competitive high school marching band. Instructional Science, 46, 507-532. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-018-9455-3
Marginson, S. (2022). What drives global science? The four competing narratives. Studies in higher education, 47(8), 1566-1584. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2021.1942822
Ogunniyi, M. B., & Rollnick, M. (2015). Pre-service science teacher education in Africa: Prospects and challenges. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 26(1), 65-79. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10972-014-9415-y
Oguntuase, D. M., Awe, O. O., & Ajayi, I. A. (2013). Empirical nexus between teaching/learning resources and academic performance in mathematics among pre-university students in Ile-Ife, South-West Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 3(3), 1-6.
Olatunde-Aiyedun, T. G., & Ogunode, N. J. (2021). Shortage of professional science and environmental education teachers in Nigeria. Asian Journal of Science Education, 3(1), 1-11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24815/ajse.v3i1.20536
Olson, S., & Riordan, D. G. (2012). Engage to excel: producing one million additional college graduates with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Report to the president. Executive Office of the President.
Onchari, T. O. (2016). Factors Influencing Learners Enrolment in Adult Education, in Isinya Sub-county, Kajiado County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi).
Santagata, R., & Lee, J. (2021). Mathematical knowledge for teaching and the mathematical quality of instruction: a study of novice elementary school teachers. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 24, 33-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857-019-09447-y
Sirajo, M., & Abdullahi, U. (2023). Influence of Availability of Instructional Resources on learning Mathematics in North-western Nigeria. Journal of General Education and Humanities, 2(2), 121-129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v2i2.73
Sodangi, U., Isma’il, A., & Abdulrahaman, A. (2022). Perception of secondary school science and mathematics teachers on professional development participation in Zamfara State, Nigeria. Integrity Journal of Education and Training, 6(2), 37-45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31248/IJET2022.138
Wahono, B., & Chang, C. Y. (2019). Assessing teacher’s attitude, knowledge, and application (AKA) on STEM: An effort to foster the sustainable development of STEM education. Sustainability, 11(4), 950. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11040950
Yeasmin, M. (2016). Developing Mathematics Laboratory–A Shift from Narrow Goals towards Higher Goals for Quality Elementary Education in Mathematics. Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research.



